The Naptime Struggle is Real

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naptime struggle real Providence Moms Blog

Why. Won’t. You. Nap?! I just don’t get it. The second I think I have any handle or control of naptime, he goes and switches it up on me. He follows a routine just long enough to lure me into thinking that I can actually count on some time to myself (time to myself: laundry, dishes, picking up toys, answering emails, maybe even eating a meal…) then BOOM!

Not napping… 

I will start out by saying my son has always (for the most part) been a great sleeper. With that being said, I have become increasingly greedy with the amount of sleep I get at night and the peace and quiet I get while he naps.

Just a month ago things were going great. We had an ideal two nap schedule; one at 8AM for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and another around 12:30 for another 30 minutes to an hour. I could shower and even eat lunch sitting down. Life was good. Then all of a sudden the 8AM nap moved to 9AM and then 10AM and now sometimes 11AM! Cue me getting up at 5AM just to get a shower in.

What about the second nap, you ask? Oh that nap makes an appearance basically whenever it wants, but mostly not. We manage a decent nap in the morning and then sometimes stretch upwards of 8 hours with NO NAP.

Now, like any other new-ish mom, I beg Google for some insight. I read and read about all these different reasons why my son isn’t napping regularly, then I read a little about how he should be napping, then some more about moving his naptime, getting rid of the second, wait, no, don’t get rid of the second and so on. 

I’ve come to the conclusion that there really is no normal, and that my frustrations are felt by many, if not all adults who have to deal with putting a child down for a nap. There is no right or wrong. Sometimes “nap time” becomes just “sit in your crib quietly, or not quietly, so I can brush my teeth.” Other times, we give up altogether and head out to Target or sit together and play on the floor. One thing I know for sure is, as chaotic and unpredictable each day is now, I’m sure going to miss it when its gone.

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Chelsea Boucher
Chelsea was born in Providence and spent her early years in Pawtucket, before moving to South-East MA. She was recently called back to Rhode Island where she purchased her first home. As most moms do, Chelsea wears many hats these days. She’s been married to her husband for 10 years and spent her early 20s supporting him as he served in the United States Marine Corps. She has a one year old son, Cannon, who keeps her on her feet and a smile on her face. She owns a fitness and wellness studio in Rehoboth, called Barre & Moon. Where she spends quite a few evenings and weekends working with an amazing group of empowered, positive women. And when she’s not doing all of that, she is working part-time as a Special Education teacher in Foxboro. Chelsea attended both the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and Bridgewater State University, graduating with degrees in English, Elementary Education and a Masters in Special Education. Education is greatly important to her, and she continues to stay updated on current teachings in education/child psychology. She loves Starbucks, and all things Target. Exercise is a huge part of her life, anything from yoga, to barre, to weightlifting, to just chasing her son around on the playground! Staying active and having fun with family and friends are what she is all about.