Stay at home moms: Do you take a nap when your kid(s) go down for a nap?

Question

If not, what do you do when they nap?

Answer 1

When my son was a baby, I would often take a nap when he took one, just because I didn't get a full night's sleep.

But when he got older and was sleeping through the night, I used his naptime for some "Me Time," or to get household errands done that were more difficult to do when he was awake.

Answer 2

It depends...if the house is clean and there is nothing to do...then yes, I lay in bed and catch up on my novelas or just fall asleep....usually I am doing something or when I have school, I use the time to study or do homework.

Answer 3

When my son used to nap, I would clean house, do dishes, laundry, go on line, read a book, and occasionally get some me time.   I miss those days.

Answer 4

I wish!!!  I have far to many things to do to take a nap!!  There is always laundry, dishes or floors to clean!  

Answer 5

I use to when he was first born.  You kind of have to.  They wear you out in the beginning.  Months later, after I wasn't so tired, I used that time to clean the house, study, or just relax.  My son is now 3 years old and won't take naps.  I miss those days!

Answer 6

oh i wish my kids would nap at the same time so i could take a nap with them!! i usually use the time when one child is down to cleans or something that would be more difficult with both kids awake...ooo i want a nap....

Answer 7

no...only because if i lay down for a nap (as soon as i fall asleep) he will wake up...and if i dont get atleast a 2hr nap then im really cranky and im just too scared to be mean to my son because he's only 11months old..its one thing to yell at my hubby when i dont get any sleep but i dont want to make my son think that im mad at him when he has done nothing wrong!!!

Answer 8

I would if I knew they would both stay asleep :)  I just get online and answer a couple Q's and check my email.  Sometimes I sit on the couch and read a book or take my shower.  It's nice when they both nap at the same time.

Answer 9

I nap every chance I get. I have always needed more sleep than the average, but before my son it was much easier to get. My son has sleeping issues, too, so deep, solid sleep is hard to come by.

If we have a good night, I might skip nap time and do something around the house. Laundry, picking up around the house, and wiping down surfaces are the regular tasks. I rarely do dishes when my little man is sleeping for fear that I would wake him up. And I try my hardest to keep him asleep.

I feel strongly that being rested makes me a much better parent. On the days that I stay up too late or miss a nap because he sleeps in his carseat, I am more impatient and less energetic.

Answer 10

I'm not a SAHM...but on the weekends and on vacation days I nap when my daughter naps regularly.  That way we're both refreshed for more play time.

On the occasion that I don't...I either get some cleaning done or I take some time for myself by reading a book or <gasp!> watching a show for grownups!! ;)

Answer 11

I usually come on here lol

No, I used to lay down for a little while (not necessarily sleep, but just relax) but now that my girls have decided they're too old for naps (they're only 3! I don't know how they do it, they just can't nap anymore) they have quiet time where they play in their room with their "quiet toys" (dolls and such) and I put on classical music for them, but I don't like leaving them in there alone because they get crazy so I take my laptop and sit in there with them

Answer 12

Since she is teething and has been keeping me up at all hours I try to sleep when she does. Most of the time if she naps during the day I am holding her and we both sleep. Usually though I have either house work or homework to do while she sleeps.

Answer 13

No there seems to be other things that need to be done. Whether it laundry dishes or just a couple of minutes of sanity! Me and my hubby nap on Sundays after church though, i really look forward to it!

Answer 14

nap? what's that? Ohhh yeah I remember now....haven't used that word in this house for awhile now LOL My kids are all older, 13, 13, 11 and 8. I never did nap when they napped as kids though, I can't nap during the day because it makes me feel worse and groggy and then I can't get to sleep that night.

Answer 15

Dear Miss

My mom is a stay at home and when we where all little she made us all take naps and me now she does because of the doctor's orders ok.

Answer 16

Nope I never could right from when my son was new born I always thought by the time i fall into a deep sleep he will be awake again and then ill be all cranky at nap time i think ok when he sleeps ill do a bit of house work but when it comes to it i just want to sit and do nothing check my emails go on yahoo answers like im doing right now lol... i usually end up cleaning when he is awake do everything while he is up i know im run off my feet but then a nap time you can just do whatever you want.

Answer 17

When they take a nap, I sit and take a sigh of relief. I don't want to sleep away those precious moments. When they get up I take a nap because I cant take it any more.

Answer 18

I wish I had time to nap. When my little boy takes a nap I get time to do my school work. I take classes online so I can be home with him. And I clean do laundry and anything else that needs to be done. I am just happy I get the time to rest when my boyfriend gets home from work and is able to take care of him for a while.

Answer 19

Im a full time Nursing student so I have my fair share of homework to do.  Plus housework.  I dont even remember the last time I took a nap.

Answer 20

On the rare occasion that my youngest takes a nap (like today) I might lay down for a bit. I never get fully relaxed because I'm afraid he'll wake up and be up to no good. I use that time to read, write or get something accomplished.  My best naps are when my husband is home and I say "Have fun with the kids, I'm taking a nap" ahhhhh I can totally relax.  

Answer 21

i wish......

lol when my son is down i run straight to the shower! thats my only chance!

then i clean check emails make some calls to family!

Answer 22

Not anymore.  When she was still a newborn I did only because I wasn't getting enough sleep at night.  But now that she is almost a year old, I use her nap time to shower, clean the house, do laundry, check email or just sit down and think a thought to myself!  LoL

Answer 23

I have a 3 year old who goes to preschool, a 17month old and a 5 month old. I also babysit my friends 11month old. It depends what time they wake up in the morning. If we are all up early then I'm usually tired by nap time and put the older ones to bed and sleep on the couch with my daughter. If I'm not tired I usually clean up or take shower. Things I can't do with all them around. or I just relax with a book, computer, or TV.