Naptime Project

There is a point in a child's life where even if they were good nappers, they begin to fight the naptime routine. At least this has happened to both of my children. For me, it becomes a "cost vs benefit" where if it takes 45 minutes to get your child to sleep, but they only take a 45 minute nap - and on top of that have a hard time going to sleep at a normal time at night - maybe the nap isn't worth it anymore. Especially when it means bedtime is moved up to 7pm for EVERYONE!

Aaron has always been a better sleeper than Connor. He is only 2, so a nap is still a necessity. He would have no problem laying down in his crib to go to sleep at all times of the day, and usually have a decent stretch of nap. Once we moved to a "big boy bed" if you leave the door open, he WILL leave. Oftentimes we would find him downstairs around 11 at night peaking into the room where we were watching TV.

So we decided to shut the door, since he still can't open it, and leave the baby monitor in the room so we could make sure he wasn't causing any trouble. This worked like a charm, and 6 months later, he was still sleeping well.

Lately though, he has wanted me to stay in the room with him while he goes to sleep. I try to sneak out, but he knows, and he creates his own little quiet playtime. He knows that I can hear him, so he does things that don't make a lot of noise. Oftentimes he will be asleep on the chair with a book, or toys will be spread on the ground, but nothing would prepare me for the biggest naptime project to date.

I'm surprised I didn't hear this unfolding, but I had a very short window of time for Aaron to take his nap this day because Connor's piano lessons start at 3:30pm. When I rushed into the room to get him for the lesson all I saw was a floor full of clothes. Astonished, I opened his dresser drawers and EVERY piece of clothing was removed and thrown onto the floor. There is a huggies box next to his dresser where I put clothes that no longer fit him, and it was completely empty and on the floor. His hamper of dirty clothes was also emptied and on the floor. I could not believe it. The other thing I couldn't believe is that I couldn't see Aaron anywhere in this big mess. After quickly finding his favorite blankie, I lifted it up and there he was fast asleep. He had spent so much energy on this project he didn't even wake up after changing his diaper and putting him in the car




So needless to say, the kids, dad and I spent the evening on a new project - Project: Clean Aaron's room. It was fun though since Connor discovered Santa hats and they had fun messing around with those!