Naptime Stories

In my new battle to preserve the boys' naptime (or at least quiet time) at all costs, I am willing to try just about anything to get at least an hour of time where I can be completely focused on Chloe...or catch a nap if Chloe happens to be sleepy as well.

I have had some shameful parenting moments during these daily naptime power struggles. Last week, I decided that I was tired of each day escalating into a battle of wills- especially since it doesn't seem that my will prevails. And it makes for a miserable afternoon either way. So after a hellish, no nap, lots of yelling, lots o whining Friday, I chose to handle things differently beginning with the weekend. On Saturday, Mike was at a 1:00pm Flyers game (Bday gift from moi) so I didn't have an extra set of hands on deck as naptime approached but I was determined to avoid the scream fest.

While I was getting Michael and Liam settled, they were doing their usual routine of flopping around on their beds, laughing, jumping and basically getting charged up to resist sleep. Regular stories have not been going over very well--and these are two boys who have always loved books-- so in the moment, an idea came into my mind.

I told them that I was going to tell them a story that I had made up...they were interested enough to quiet down and actually listen. So I told the story of Michael and Liam, who had a good day so far at soccer class, and now were ready to take a good nap. They had fun playing when they woke up from the nap and had a special cupcake treat after dinner because they took a good nap.

I know, I know--BRIBERY...I said upfront that I have tried just about everything to entice them into nap. In general, the promise of a reward is not enough to guarantee compliance--even when the cupcake is a special Valentine's day edition made by "Tastycake". So my thought was if I incorporated it into a story, they might connect to the idea and it might actually work.

I told my story with more detail than what I wrote above, but you get the idea. After I finished, Michael said "My Turn!" and proceeded to tell his own story which involved Michael and Liam going for a walk in the snow, having hot chocolate and watching "Shaun the Sheep" (Disney Channel) before going to bed...THE END. Michael was very animated while telling the story and also included more detail.

Then LIAM chimes in "MY TURN!" and Liam tells the story of a pretty princess named Chloe who lived in a CASTLE with Liam and Michael and Daddy and Mommy...THE END. His story was just that direct but his face was so sincere as he told his short tale.

I can't begin to tell you how interesting it was to hear them tell me a story in their own words. Michael's was obviously more elaborate but Liam impressed me with his story as well. I think a new tradition has been born. We repeated this at naptime today and Mike was in on the fun tonight before bedtime.

In reality, I don't really care if it results in an easier sleep transition, I LOVE having this creative activity. It might not smooth out naptime entirely but it doesn't seem to do any harm either.

I can see that my kids need more from me...they need opportunities like this to be creative and express themselves. I love that this one came about naturally but I realize that you can't always luck out with a spur of the moment idea...still, I will take them whenever they come along!