I was venting to a colleague about my toddler’s sleep struggles. Just the night before, she had refused to sleep until nearly 11 p.m. and was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 5 a.m., ready to binge-watch cartoons. “Sounds like it might be time to drop her nap,” he suggested, raising his eyebrows as if to say I needed to be more assertive. Mark and I have been coworkers for a while now; he’s a retired military veteran in his 50s with two teenagers. His nickname around the office is “Sergeant Grumpy,” which suits him well because while he’s got a heart of gold, he’s all about that “tough love” mentality.
“Sure, I’ll think about it,” I replied, but honestly, I didn’t give it a second thought. This isn’t the first time someone’s made that suggestion. I’ve had friends without kids express their annoyance when I wouldn’t skip nap time for a social event, and even my mom has weighed in. Clearly, she’s been out of the parenting scene too long because here’s the reality about naps from my perspective.
I adore my daughter, Luna. She’s charming, funny, and endlessly curious, but let’s face it: most days, she’s a little rascal. That’s not a reflection of her character; it’s just the reality of raising a two-year-old—one of the most challenging yet rewarding jobs on the planet. If I really want to unleash her inner diva, I’ll take away her nap. I can’t remember ever trying to eliminate her nap time on purpose, but when she refuses to sleep, it’s like inviting an overly emotional, possibly rabid raccoon into my home.
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I refuse to endure that chaos, and I certainly wouldn’t wish it upon my partner. Not that she couldn’t handle it—she’s a total powerhouse. She’s tackled more than her share of challenges, but I wouldn’t want her to miss out on that precious hour or two of peace during the day.
The tricky part about parenting is that you often feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. When it comes to getting your child to sleep, it seems like there’s no perfect solution—at least not in my experience.
Trust me, I know there’s a sleep consultant ready to offer their “expertise” in the comments, or some lucky parent with a mythical child who snoozes like a cat, or someone pushing essential oils. If that’s you, feel free to stop reading, because this isn’t for you.
This is for the parents struggling with kids like mine, who can’t seem to stick to a regular sleep schedule until they’re three, four, or maybe even 25. I have three children, and all of them have been challenging sleepers in their early years. They’ve all turned into moody little gremlins when denied their naps. I’ve gone to work bleary-eyed, confused, and sometimes even dozing off on the bus, waking up in strange places (yes, that has happened).
My partner and I have had late-night disagreements, both of us disoriented and exhausted. It’s made us question our sanity and treasure those quiet hours of naptime. Ultimately, what I’ve learned is this: I can try to manage sleep, I can attempt to enforce it, but at the end of the day, my children are the ones in control. They’ll figure it out on their own time, and as much as that might sting to admit, the best advice I can offer is to cherish those nap moments. Embrace them, and if you can, join in the slumber. Stay strong; they will most likely figure it out eventually.
Resources for Parents
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In summary, parenting toddlers can be a rollercoaster, especially when it comes to sleep. Naps are crucial not just for the child, but for the parents, too. Embrace those nap times and remember that, in the end, your little ones will eventually find their rhythm.
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