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Swing By Anytime, Just Not During Nap Time
Every mom has been there. After a long morning filled with feeding, cleaning, chasing, entertaining, and refereeing her little ones, she finally reaches that blissful moment…nap time. She gathers her children, kisses their sweet faces, and wishes them sweet dreams. With the bedroom door closed, she almost floats to the couch, eager for some well-deserved relaxation. She kicks off her shoes, grabs the remote, and just as she’s about to switch on her favorite show, the doorbell rings. Peeking out the window, she spots a familiar face—an unexpected visitor. They exchange “Surprise!” looks. She adores this person, but really, why now? And why do surprises have to interrupt the rare moments of peace?
“I was just in the area, thought I’d drop by! Hope that’s okay,” they say.
Being the gracious host, she replies, “Of course! Come in!” But secretly, she wishes they had arrived an hour later. They chat for a bit, and soon enough, she hears the dreaded stirring from the kids’ room. Snack time is back on, and she braces herself for an afternoon of the same chaotic cycle—feeding, cleaning, chasing, entertaining, and refereeing. Finally, bedtime rolls around. She tucks them in, cleans up the kitchen, and heads to the laundry room. After that, she curls up next to her partner, trying to catch up on everything from work to the latest Netflix shows. By the time she showers and climbs into bed, there hasn’t been a single moment for herself all day.
I might sound like a party pooper, but here’s a truth that many moms feel but seldom say: we genuinely love seeing you, but we’d prefer a heads-up. A simple text or phone call would make visits so much more enjoyable. It lets us adjust our plans and tidy up, which is no small feat when you have kids. You might say, “Oh, I don’t mind a little mess,” or “With kids, it’s to be expected.” But here’s the kicker: we do care about the mess.
It’s impossible to keep a home spotless every minute, but we’d appreciate the chance to present it in a way that feels comfortable for us. If you’re visiting in the afternoon, I might need to tidy up while the kids munch on lunch. If it’s a morning visit, I may have to stay up late the night before to dust or mop. Let me prepare for your arrival.
I know nap time seems like the perfect opportunity to chat uninterrupted about adult stuff, but for many of us, it’s the only time we have to ourselves. It’s when nobody is yelling “Mommy!” or demanding juice or squabbling over toys. It’s the rare moment we can watch something other than cartoons. I’d much rather you swing by before or after nap time when the hustle and bustle is already in full swing. Let’s sit outside under the tree while the kids play, or share a cup of coffee at my kitchen table while I whip up dinner. I truly want to see you, but please—I’m begging you—avoid dropping by during nap time.
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In summary, while we love visiting friends and family, a little heads-up would go a long way. Nap time is precious, and a simple call can help us prepare for the perfect visit.