We all get pretty grumpy when we don’t get a nap, right? Well that’s for us… us being the average age of 28-30. So what happens when a 3 year old doesn’t get a nap? Utter insanity! Let me give you the break down. 

So my wife, Jennie, has started working at this new librarian position full time. I’m very proud of her. But I think that the schedule change and just the fact that I’m now home all the time has affected the kids in a negative way. Not to say I’m more strict than Jennie or anything, but I’m definitely different. Jack is doing just fine. I think he is at a young enough age where he won’t care any more or less. However Lily is another issue. She has been skipping naps and forcing herself to stay up until it is time to go to bed. There are plenty of kids that stop taking naps this early in their childhood. I was one of them. The issue is that Lily needs a nap. By 5 o’clock she is lost and directionless- constantly rubbing her eyes and frantically trying to initiate arguments with me. I’ve been able to keep my cool pretty well and walk away from her when she gets like that, but it’s no longer about “dealing with it”. The simple truth is that she has to get a nap now. She is no good without one and doesn’t benefit without it. More often than not she is able to take a nap in the car about the same time I lay her down for one. Maybe if I spare a little gas to drive until she sleeps to get her into the habit of doing so at the same time every day wouldn’t be a bad idea. I just wish that little thought will pop in her head when she realizes that she does better with one also. Maybe when she’s 16!