Your cart is currently empty!
No, My Child Can’t ‘Just Skip’ Her Nap
I was venting to a colleague about my toddler’s sleep struggles. “She didn’t fall asleep until nearly 11 p.m. last night and was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready for cartoons at 5 a.m.,” I lamented. My co-worker, Tom, raised an eyebrow over his glasses, suggesting, “Sounds like it’s time to drop her nap.” Tom is a former military man in his early 50s, seasoned by raising two teenagers. His nickname, “Tough Cookie,” reflects his attitude—compassionate yet unwaveringly tough.
“Yeah, I’ll consider it,” I replied, knowing full well I wouldn’t. I’ve heard similar advice from child-free friends and even my own mother, who seems to have forgotten the chaos that comes with parenting. Here’s the reality: I adore my daughter, Mia. She’s funny, curious, and incredibly charming, but let’s be real—most of the time, she’s a handful. This isn’t a judgment of her character; it’s just a reflection of the wild ride that is parenting a 2-year-old, which is perhaps the most challenging yet rewarding job imaginable.
If I wanted to unleash the ultimate chaos, all I’d have to do is take away her nap. I wouldn’t say I’ve ever purposely denied her nap time, but there have been instances where she flat-out refused to sleep. That’s when it feels like an overly emotional raccoon is running rampant in the house.
I refuse to put myself—or my partner, Lisa—through that. Not that Lisa couldn’t handle it; she’s incredible. She’s tackled three C-sections like a champ. But I wouldn’t wish a cranky, sleep-deprived toddler on anyone, and I definitely wouldn’t want to rob her of that precious one- to two-hour break during the day.
This is the crux of parenting, isn’t it? You’re always in a bind. When it comes to getting your child to sleep, it often feels like there’s no winning strategy.
Now, I can already hear some sleep expert gearing up to drop a comment about how they’ve found the secret to perfect slumbers, or perhaps someone with a “my child sleeps like an angel” story. Listen, if that’s you, you can stop reading now, because this isn’t for you.
This is for the parents of wild ones like mine, whose kids refuse to embrace a sleep schedule until they’re 3, 4, or maybe even 25. I have three kids, and they’ve all had their share of sleep troubles in those early years. Trust me, they’ve turned into little monsters when naps are skipped, leaving me bleary-eyed and confused, often waking up in unexpected places after dozing off during my commute (yes, seriously).
Sleep deprivation has led to late-night arguments with Lisa where we barely comprehend each other through the fog of exhaustion. It’s made us question our sanity during the day and treasure every sacred moment of naptime.
The bottom line? I’ve learned that while I can try to manage their sleep or even enforce it, at the end of the day, my kids are in charge of their own sleep schedules. As frustrating as that can be, I’ve realized that the best thing I can do is relish those nap times. Appreciate every minute of them. If you can, join them for a snooze. Stay strong and know that, eventually, they’ll likely figure it out.
If you’re interested in navigating parenting challenges while exploring topics like home insemination, you can check out this helpful resource. For further reading on fertility journeys, Make a Mom is a great authority on this topic, and for comprehensive information about pregnancy, visit NICHD.
Summary:
This article discusses the challenges of parenting a toddler who struggles with sleep and the importance of valuing nap time. It highlights the difficult balance parents must find while navigating their children’s sleep needs and the chaos that ensues when naps are skipped.