There are plenty of studies out there about the benefits of napping. I’m a big napper. I usually lay Cindy-Lu down at noon and head immediately to the couch where I flop onto my belly and fall asleep within 20 seconds. And then I sleep. And I sleep. And I sleep some more. I sleep until Cindy-Lu wakes me up two hours later. But, if it weren’t for her, I’d probably sleep a good 3 hours or more. Which means that I sleep on average 10-11 hours a day. Um, thats almost half the day people. NO WONDER MY HOUSE ISN’T CLEAN!
All those studies recommend sleeping for 20 minutes only. 20 minutes?? I’m just starting to drool at that point and everyone knows that drooly sleep is the very best kind. Unfortunately, I am going to start homeschooling next week and won’t have time for my usual napping marathons. I’m going to have to either eliminate them altogether or switch to the "power nap."
How about you? Do you nap? How often? How long?
Also, can someone explain to me how it is that I’ve got my body trained to fall instantly asleep at noon and will start yawning like mad around 11:45am, but Cindy-Lu, who is also forced asked kindly to nap at the same time everyday sometimes decides against it? I’ve trained myself, now how do I train her, damn it?
10 Comments so far
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I’m not a napper. They make me more tired. But, when I really need one, they feel soooo good.
By Shauna on 05.29.07 6:39 pm | Permalink
I only get a chance to nap during the summer, and even then, I try not to nap because naps usually become ridiculously long (4 hours or more).
By thethinker on 05.29.07 7:32 pm | Permalink
I used to nap when my littlies did too, but really it is not good for you! You may not believe this, but I am fitter, healthier and happier now than when I used to nap all afternoon. I sleep better at night too. As for how to make your kids nap during the day, put them in their cot, put a sheet of 9-ply wood on top, tie it down and walk away!!! They stay there till you let em out again! We had to do this with Griffin or he would never stay in his bed EVER. He learnt to go to sleep cos there was nothing else he could do! I AM THE MOTHER FROM HELL.
By Chris H on 05.29.07 8:10 pm | Permalink
I really did! It was safe, he was safe, I was not gunna end up murdering him from exhaustion! He was/still is a hyperactive child, as a baby he would crawl out of his cot and escape from the house at 2 in the morning… and that was after he had raided the fridge, turned the TV on, opened the front door and played in the garden… all on his own at 10 months old!!!! So, a lid on his cot was the only answer, and it worked! So while I am THE MOTHER FROM HELL, I’m also a very clever one! ha ha ha
By Chris H on 05.29.07 8:16 pm | Permalink
Holy crap, when I first read one of those comments I thought she tied the wooden board directly on to the child who was sleeping on a camping cot.
If I could do it over again I would have bought one of those crib tents for my son. He crawled out at 18 months!!! I had to practically lay on top of him. every day to get him to sleep.
As for napping - tough call. Since I have found a nice anti-depressent med combo I don’t nap with the kids unless I’m really wiped out. And I LOVE having that time to myself. But I used to nap with them every day and I always felt very scrambly and nonproductive afterwards. That said, if you’re kid is still getting up at night…NAP!
By Lotta on 05.29.07 9:52 pm | Permalink
I’m not a napper. I’ve always had trouble sleeping during the day.
Have you ever heard of polyphasic sleep? Instead of sleeping 6 or 8 hours at night, you spread out your sleep in 15 or 30 minute increments a few times a day. Then, you have a few hours of core sleep at night. It’s supposed to help you reduce the amount of time you need to sleep by 2-6 hours each day. I’m not sure if it really works. It’s interesting, though.
By Leslie on 05.29.07 10:13 pm | Permalink
Apparently to learn how to truly power nap, you need to be in the military. My dad can nap upside down on his head in the corner for 15 minutes, and wake up recharged & ready to go; says it was from learning to nap when he had the chance in Vietnam. Mr. C’s the same way, except for the upside down on his head part.
By Christi on 05.30.07 7:15 am | Permalink
I LOVE napping during the day while Kaitlyn is sleeping. But 20 minutes? I would just feel MORE tired.
I hope you’ll stop by Table for Five today, I finally did something about that meme you tagged me for. Sorry it took so long!
By Elizabeth on 05.30.07 8:21 am | Permalink
The only time I could ever nap was when I was pregnant with #2, and #1 was napping. I was so bloody exhausted, that pregnancy made a napper out of me. But now I’m back to no snoozing. Too much to do!!!
(Though I admit, sometimes a decent nap sounds absolutely decadent….)
By Kelly on 05.30.07 10:16 am | Permalink
I. Love. Naps.
Before kids hubs and I napped together every single weekend. Then, we had kids. No more naps. When they sleep I feel guilty for sleeping or just can’t because I have stuff to do.
The days that I CAN take a nap I am not tired and wouldn’t be able to fall asleep. Those days I can nap are so incredibly rare anyway. The days that I can’t nap, EVERY DAY, are the days I’m yawning like a mad woman and would give anything to be able to sleep.
However, power naps don’t work on me. I wake up WAY more tired than before. Even after a good drool-filled 2 hour nap I have a hard time waking up and feel more tired.
By Angel (aka DraMa) on 05.30.07 2:16 pm | Permalink
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