Don’t be fooled by the title of this post. Napping is not a game. It is serious.
NAPPING FACTS
-Toddlers often nap for 2-3 hours in the afternoon. This nap is a great rest for said toddler, but even more importantly, a good time for mom and dad to relax.
-Parents live in constant fear of the toddler waking up too early from the nap. Parents often panic if a telephone rings during nap time, and if somebody knocks on the door, it seems like the end of the world.
-Parents plan weekdays, weekends, and really their entire lives around naps.
NAPPING CONSEQUENCES
This man has been napping from 12-3PM for 78 years.
If the nap is unsuccessful, the following conditions could exist:
– Crankiness for the rest of the day (toddler and parents)
– Toddler goes to sleep too early that night, which means it will be a really early following morning.
– The possibility that the toddler will fall out of nap pattern, which will lead to chaos.
NAPPING INSANITY
Because of the above facts and consequences, parents go to extreme measure to make sure that nap time is perfect. Some examples include:
-Birthday Parties at 9:30AM
-Staying in the car for an hour after you’ve reached your destination, just so the child can sleep.
-Room darkening shades, running vacuums just for the sound, turning off all technology for three hours to avoid rings or beeps.
What am I trying to say? If you see a toddler sleeping, or you have a friend that has a baby, please leave them alone between 12 and 3PM.