As a child, I was not a fan of napping. Even as a young adult, I viewed them as an interruption to my reading, snacking, or binge-watching sessions of my favorite shows. But then I became a parent.
Research indicates that naps are essential for children’s growth and development. However, what the studies don’t reveal—though I will—is that we parents need our little ones to nap for our own peace of mind. Like most children, mine also resist nap time. The challenge is that there are ten distinct types of naps kids take, but only one stands out as a true blessing. Can you guess which one it is?
1. The “I Need” Nap
This is the nap where your child needs something every few seconds—“I need water,” “I need to go potty,” “I need a story,” and so on. By the time they finally doze off, it’s nearly time to wake them up again.
2. The Cat Nap
Just when you think you can catch a breather because your child is asleep, they wake up after only 15 minutes! Really? You barely had time to sit down.
3. The “Not Really a Nap” Nap
You think your child is asleep when you hear silence, but upon checking the monitor, they’re wide awake, playing quietly in bed instead of napping.
4. The Accidental Nap
You’re busy in the kitchen, and when you glance over, you find your little one slumped over in their chair, pacifier in mouth, fast asleep. This type of nap can surprise you at restaurants or during outings, too.
5. The Car Nap
You’re just ten minutes from home, and after a morning of chatter, your child suddenly falls asleep in their car seat. You arrive home, knowing that if you step out of the car, they’ll wake up refreshed, leaving you unprepared for the rest of the day. If you see a mom sitting idly in her car, chances are there’s a sleeping toddler in the back.
6. The Early Nap
This is what happens when your child is transitioning from two naps to one, or perhaps they’re experiencing a growth spurt. They start yawning and rubbing their eyes by 9 a.m. If you let them sleep, you know they’ll be up by noon, which feels like an eternity until bedtime.
7. The Late Nap
This occurs when errands run long or a playdate lasts too long, and your child doesn’t fall asleep until 3 p.m. Unfortunately, this means they will likely stay awake past dinner, keeping you up with their boundless energy.
8. The “Disturbance in the Force” Nap
After a period of quiet, you think you can tackle some chores, but then you hear crying because your little one has woken up upset after a diaper incident. Can’t say I blame them; I’d be cranky too!
9. The “Never Gonna Happen” Nap
You know deep down that your child isn’t going to sleep, yet you place them in their room anyway, clinging to the hope they might drift off. It’s usually a futile exercise, and a few minutes later, you’ll be sighing and letting them out.
10. The Real Nap
This is the dream scenario! You provide your child with their favorite bottle, pacifier, stuffed animal, and book, and they peacefully drift off to sleep. It’s serene and perfect—everything you could wish for.
If you guessed that the last one is the only truly great nap on this list, congratulations! Sadly, you might not get a chance to celebrate because… your kid’s awake.
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Summary
Parenting comes with its unique challenges, especially when it comes to naps. Children exhibit ten various types of naps, with only one truly being a blessing for parents. Understanding these different nap types can help parents navigate the ups and downs of their children’s sleep schedules.