I'm in my first trimester and I feel like I could nap all day long
lately and I really need a break during the day where I can just sit
and rest or take a quick nap if I can. I've been trying to do that,
but my 4 yr old is just not cooperating.
For at least two years, my 4 and 5 yr olds haven't napped, which is
fine. My 22 month-er still does and so when she goes down for an after
lunch nap, my other two go do quiet time. My 5 yr old DS has no
problems with it about 98% of the time. I actually think he likes the
solitude. They're supposed to go play or read or rest quietly in
their rooms. My 4 yr old is just not doing it anymore, but I need her
to SO badly right now! Every few minutes she starts calling my name,
or saying she has to go potty, or needs another drink, etc. It's
really driving me crazy. I know it's age appropriate, but I need that
break right now, even if it's only a half hour. I've tried to explain
that I need a break or a nap, but it hasn't sunk in for her.
My only other alternative that I can think of, which I'd rather not
do, is stick her in front of a video while I nap on the couch. We
don't watch much tv, but I think it's plenty.
Any suggestions? I'm desperate for an afternoon nap!
mrsbehaven007
05-15-2007, 03:17 PM
if all else fails.... let them watch a movie... I promise you .. you will be in a better mood... and their brains will not ooooz out of their ears...bc of a little tv time for you to get a nap in... :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:
Thrice Blessed
05-15-2007, 03:21 PM
Yup, a video works. My DD loves to play w/ her Leapster for a quiet time, or listen to a CD in her room, etc. Remember, this is just a season. Like PP said, their brains won't ooze b/c of this, but you'll be a better mama w/ some rest. HTH
Mickiswing
05-15-2007, 03:34 PM
if all else fails.... let them watch a movie... I promise you .. you will be in a better mood... and their brains will not ooooz out of their ears...bc of a little tv time for you to get a nap in... :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:
LOL, thanks for making me laugh! I think you ladies are right. I guess it's a small price to pay for a little rest. Especially if it's a somewhat educational video, which she loves.
undrthtblndrumng
05-15-2007, 03:42 PM
do you have quiet time only toys? I know that some mamas I know have toys that they only pull out for quiet time and that makes quiet time more interesting for their dc.
mamato5angels
05-15-2007, 03:58 PM
What if you let them pick out a dozen books to look at while they rested. I use to do this with my kids when they were smaller untill they were around 7 or so. They really enjoyed the quite time.
Good luck finding what works and if all else fails pop in a movie it won't make you a bad mama. Try an educational video like numbers or letters or even a different language tape.
Mickiswing
05-15-2007, 04:06 PM
We do have strictly quiet time toys, but for some reason she becomes helpless during quiet time and needs my help to play with them, hehe. Things that she does perfectly well on her own the rest of the time becomes a trial for her during quiet time :)
rafrach
05-15-2007, 04:52 PM
have you tried stories on CD? My son loves to listen to those and will sit and draw through a quiet time (but not always!).
LeighaGrace
05-15-2007, 04:58 PM
This may or not help but I made my kids play outside. I watched them and let them play out til they were very tired. If I felt up to it I even took them for long walks. Then I did not have a battle over quiet time and they sometimes took naps. Otherwise I am with the video. You do what you have got to do to get by. No shame in letting the kids enjoy a video! Good luck!
JackieLyn
05-15-2007, 06:18 PM
i feel ya on the naps! i'm wiped out most days...it's hard to keep my eyes open come afternoon! i usually have my 4 yr old lay down with us and when reid falls asleep he can play his leapster...but usually he ends up falling asleep himself! that makes for a nice uninterrupted nap! but if that's not an option or all else fails ditto to the movie...it'll be ok! hope you get some rest! :hugs:
escapethevillage
05-15-2007, 11:09 PM
This is a religious (Christian) set of CDs. But, ADVENTURES IN ODYSSY (http://www.adventureinodyssey.com/store/) Are great stories.
They don't cram religion down your throat. They are just a bunch of really good and exciting stories on Cd (or tape) that do have kind of a message. With a little Christianity mixed in.
My kids will listen to those CDs for hours. We brought them on every trip we ever took, and even the adults were enjoying them.
camdensmommy
05-16-2007, 12:57 AM
We use a timer and my daughter has a little potty in her room. The little potty probably isn't appropriate for a 4 year old but can't the 4 year old go potty by herself? The timer helps her see that there is a finite end to the quiet time. We also always have a bag of cheerios and sippy of water in the room.
Other than that you can always resort to a sticker chart or something. For myself I would attempt a sticker chart before TV but that is just my own bias.
moonphishers
05-16-2007, 01:44 AM
yeah - do a movie mama. somedays you wont need that much time and others you will - so the movie is a great idea for those days you need longer time.
TwinKristi
05-16-2007, 01:50 AM
have you tried stories on CD? My son loves to listen to those and will sit and draw through a quiet time (but not always!).
This is what my DS did today! I was so shocked! His 5yo brother fell asleep (he's always been my sleepyhead!) but Joey was coloring on his Cars Magnadoodle!
I also recommend (if you wanna avoid the movie thing, that's my last option usually!) is special toys or something FOR quiet time ONLY if they're quiet. Otherwise you take it away and they can have their quiet time w/out it. Even special crayons & colors books (or those ColorWonder sets?) or the books on CD are nice too. Sometimes they're a bit entertaining though so they don't always relax and calm down in my experience.
TwinKristi
05-16-2007, 01:56 AM
Just to add this quickly...
If you do a movie time now and then it really isn't a huge no-no in my book. Especially if you make it an age appropriate non-violent movie, perhaps Veggietales, Dora or Little Einstiens? But even more fun is if you make it all quiet & dark like the movie theater and maybe get some kid friendly snacks (Pirates Booty is great, just like popcorn but no kernals!) and some sippies of water or even... chocolate milk! :giggle: This way it's not just a way of life, TV blaring in the background, kids eating cereal from the box while you're passed out on the couch (I've done this too though on some BAD days in my 1st trimester! :blush: Ok, well I wasn't passed out... I was barfing! LOL)
