Thursday, July 31, 2014

Car naps

Yesterday I went to a water park in an attempt to redeem my crappy birthday. Things have changed in water park land. My friend and I only had about 2 1/2 hours to spend there; I thought on a weekday at least there would be no lines; instead we spent the entire time waiting and only went on two slides! It's because they now have this stupid "fast pass" so all of us slow passers had to wait in lines for 45 minutes for one innertube while the fast pass people got to go again and again. Well, at least I got to get in the giant chaotic wave pool with a bunch of children while I joyfully shouted above the roar of the waves, "I'm forty-two!!!" So, that was something.

Today was an odd parenting day. We met up with a friend for a play date in the morning, but I had to be back home by two to let out the house cleaner (who randomly left a bunch of toxic cleaning products in Bobby's room - good times), and I was at an utter loss as to what to do for four hours. Theo was fussy and miserable, Bobby climbing the walls. Normally on a long afternoon like that we'd play outside and watch a little TV to settle down before dinner, but it was hot as hell out and B did not want to go outside, and then there was some problem with my Roku box so there was no TV. I knew the baby had to sleep but couldn't because of all the ruckus, so I tried to get B to lie down with me - no luck. Then I made the executive decision to attempt to get B to nap in his room. I picked him up and carried him to his bed and kissed him and told him gently we are all tired so it's nap time. 

And then he started to cry. And not the usual "I wanted that toy" toddler cry I hear a thousand times a day - no. This was the saddest, most heart wrenching soft little cry, complete with rapid breathing and a quivering lip. I'd never seen him like that. It did something to me. He must have thought I was mad at him or that he'd done something bad. I knew now was not the time to be a hard ass. I immediately reversed gears - I thought, this isn't working. I scooped him and the crying baby up, strapped everyone in the car, and drove. For two hours. And they slept the whole way. 

I hate that I have trained these kids to only sleep in the car, but there it is. I still believe nap times at home during the day can be possible...but the fact is we're always out. So naps if they happen at all tend to be while driving home from some activity. I don't really know how to fix this, or if it needs to be fixed. I just know I'd never seen my little boy look so hurt and dejected and I just couldn't take it. 


6 comments:

  1. I think it only needs to be fixed if you aren't happy with the situation.

    I walked my kid in a stroller in our house for hours to get him to nap. That was annoying, but it worked. When it didn't work, on to something else...

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  2. I had days like that where E just wouldn't nap so I threw us both in the car & just drove knowing she'd sleep. I remember once getting horribly lost after deciding to drive in the country & just shrugged & figured either I'd end up at the US border or in Manitoba, lol!

    I can only imagine the logistics it takes to get 2 children napping at the same time! I wish I had sage advice or a fix for you.

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  3. Oh how I love the photo of the two of them. So dang cute.

    The only thing I can say is...if it works, keep doing it. This phase will pass. I'd keep trying naps at home, but it seems you know when it isn't working. Some kids just aren't the best at sleeping. It sucks. I had one of those too. I know that's not helpful in any way. But I always read and rarely comment. However, you are doing good. You are. You know your boys and that is what matters. You keep trying and that matters too.

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  4. Could they be cuter? That photo is SO AWESOME!!!

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  5. Back when Finn would nap, he took 90% of those naps in the car on the weekend. It was the only thing that would work. You gotta do what you gotta do. Poor B. :(

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  6. It's the worst when they think you're mad at them! So heartbreaking.

    The last picture is so stinkin cute!

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