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.