January 2009

“Somebody needs a naaappp…”, proclaimed in a sing-song voice, were words I detested as a child.  I remember thinking to myself that I would never inflict that phrase on another living being.  Now, my delivery is significantly modified, but today I am reinstating nap time at my house. 

After checking out this list from Elizabeth Pantley’s The No-Cry Nap Solution: Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems (pg. 115),  I see that my youngest child is in need of a daily nap:

·         Resists the idea of a nap but eventually falls asleep and sleeps an hour or longer.

·         Wakes up in the morning in a good mood but gets whiny and cranky as the day progresses.

·         Has more patience early in the day but is more easily aggravated later on.

·         Cries more often or more easily in the evening than she does early in the day.

·         Demonstrates a deterioration in his coordination over the course of the day.

·         Shows tired signs in the afternoon or early evening such as yawning, rubbing eyes, a slump in energy, or looking slightly glazed.

·         Late in the day, becomes wired up or hyperactive and won’t settle down easily.

·         Often falls asleep in the car or when watching a movie.

            But what about my 7 year old?  Surely she’s too old for one, right?  Turns out, it is entirely possible to implement a “Hush Hour” for children who are completely nap resistant.  A Hush Hour is a daily quiet-time break from noise and activity that works well as a nap substitute.  It is perfect for a child who is giving up naps but still needs a half-time break during the day, for a child who is just too wired or overtired to sleep, as well as for a child who flat out refuses to nap but whose parents (like me) desperately need that child to nap to preserve their patience. 

            Elizabeth Pantley recommends setting up a block of quiet time designed to refresh your child’s mind and body but constructing an environment that encourages relaxation.  Choose a place that would work for a nap, removing toys that might entice a child who is supposed to be resting.  Regulate the temperature so it is comfortable, probably between 60 and 70 degrees, and remember to use a humidifier, dehumidifier or air purifier if necessary.  Help ease the transition into restfulness by darkening the room, and consider using relaxing music or white noise to provide a calming auditory experience.  Once this is done, Pantley advises setting up a cozy nest, adding some relaxing smells with essential oils, and making sure your little one eats some foods that encourage rest.  Some winners, besides breast milk, include whole-grain carbohydrates, bananas, avocadoes, tree nuts or nut butters, and warm goat, cow or soy milk.

            To read more about Elizabeth Pantley’s ideas, and hear our interview on The Mommy-Muse Is In: Empowering Your Journey into Motherhood, click here: Sleep Expert on The Mommy-Muse Is In.

• Mommy Guilt Solutions Mommy guilt.  You know how I encourage other moms to release their guilt?  Well, I've been dealing with some of my own.  Turns out, some mommies I know are already in full swing with back-to-school preparation.  Their children have perfectly coordinated back to school outfits, reusable, earth friendly lunch bags,......
• Mommy-Muse.com™ Favorites: Mamma's Milk Slings Baby slings are an essential piece of baby gear.  I've found them to be more convenient and more comforting to my babies than backpacks and front packs.  I've used many kinds over the years, but always found drawbacks that I thought should be improved upon.  That's where Mamma's Milk slings......
• Elizabeth Pantley Solves Your Sleep Problems        A mom wrote in today during The Mommy-Muse Is In: Empowering Your Journey into Motherhood with this question:         "My six month old son currently co-sleeps (as of last week). Prior to that, due to a two week growth spurt, he would fall asleep while nursing on his nursing pillow.......
• Sleep Expert on "The Mommy-Muse Is In" Show!                                   Do you suffer through sleepless nights, and then during the day listen to heartless advice to let your baby "cry it out?"  Tune in tomorrow on The Mommy-Muse Is In: Empowering Your Journey into Motherhood on the VoiceAmerica.com Health and Wellness channel.  Join me as I interview my well-rested......
• You, yes YOU, are better than June Cleaver! A  talented mom wrote me recently to say that she's been a mother for 15 years, but she's still "no June Cleaver."   This led me to an "ah-hah" moment, with this realization:  Each and every one of us is better than any TV mom, June Cleaver or otherwise.  "Why?", you......

{ 1 comment }