While I'm not an outdoors type mom, I really want my kids outside as much as possible., And so, I've learned to enjoy parks and hot summer days at the pool. But I'll let you in on a secret.
The reasons I like my kids to be outside are for the peace and quiet I get when their exhausted bodies need a rest!! Ulterior motives, I've always got some! ;-)
BTW, I don't make my kids take naps in their beds. I have a "take a nap wherever you collapse" policy that has worked well for us the past 6 years or so. The sofa seems to be most every one's favorite place ... except Catherine. She prefers the floor or the stairs. I stress alot less when I let them sleep wherever they want. If they do take a nap in bed, its usally mine!!
I know, I know. Kids need a regular nap schedule in their own beds. I didn't always used to be like this. But now that the kids are getting older and I'm getting busier, nap time has slowly evolved into an on-need basis without any help from me.
My kids are pretty happy and well rested. If only I could go back and tell the mommy from my young-er years to chill out over nap time. I never would have believed over 10 years ago that I would be so laissez-faire about naps. NEVER!!! LOL!!
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6 comments:
I just LOVE that first picture! It reminded me of my little sister and me. I was 15 when she was born (so a little older), but we used to snuggle and take naps all the time! We are still very close.
Maybe you were a bit more uptight about naps many years ago, but I bet it was partially because they were all little and you just needed a break. ;-)
What great pictures! I love how the older kids nap with the baby. So sweet!
Andrea,
You're right, I did need a break when they were all little. But I used to work myself into a lather (and probably make myself more tired) over their naps. I wasn't very good at gently getting them down. And, honestly, I didn't get them tired enough or woke them early enough to be tired. Now, all my kids get up at 6:30 am and they play outside alot. Its not very hard to get them to sleep.
I didn't mean to imply that young mothers shouldn't expect regular naps and relish the quiet. I just meant that as a young mother I was more concerned about getting my time without making sure they were ready for naps. They used to get up very late when they were little. If I could do it again I would have woken them up earlier so they would have been tired. But I also liked the morning quiet so I didn't do that either! LOL!!
Love the pictures of your napping house, Lillian! I remember those days of nap schedules! LOL
I laughed when I read this post... Greg's out of town & I had all 3 of the kids sleeping in my room. They looked so sweet that I took pictures of them sleeping last night.
I will use your ulterior motive this summer! :)
By those pictures you'd think they'd all been bitten by a titsy fly!
I just love these precious photo's! Thanks.
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