At 2 pm we start nap. The baby sleeps in his crib and Mareea sleeps in her room. I chose 2 because I found that the littles weren't tired enough to sleep after lunch yet. I also like that when nap time ends it's almost time for Daddy to be home! Thea picks a toy and sits on my bed, Q sits on his bed, Ashton goes to the boys' room and Landon goes to our "play area". Mareea and Gid are the only ones that sleep. Quintin reads, draws or writes. Ashton likes to make "sets" with his guys and read books. Landon loves to make paper airplanes, do puzzles or "invent" with cardboard boxes, scissors and tape. Thea usually chooses little pet shop or cars and the car garage. They stay there about two hours. It's a time for uninterrupted imaginative play or reading. Mama won't come in and tell them to go clean a bathroom and a sibling won't come mess up what they're playing with. I find that nap time helps them to learn to play independently and learn to enjoy that independent time.
If there is a certain child who is not being quiet during nap time and waking up the babies, I first tell them they need to be quiet or will have to take a nap. If they are loud again, I take away their toy and have them lie down. This usually fixes the problem. We sometimes watch a video after nap. If they are loud during nap they lose their video. Because we watch very little TV, it's very sad to lose out on it.
For me, I find that nap time gives me a chance to rest my legs and my mind. No running from place to place to help littles and dealing with the constant distractions that come with having lots of little blessings. I can read a book, chat with a friend, sleep or exercise. Sometimes nap gets interrupted. This is OK. I used to get very upset about it, but now I'm pretty much over that. If I get all of nap to myself...that's great! If not...oh well...I'm thankful I have children to interrupt me.
I'm off to enjoy my nap time...
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