Ardent advocate of naps
By Sandra Post | 13th September 2008
Naps are absolutely wonderful and while I can’t prove it, I’d put money on the likelihood they were “invented” by a loving but weary mother of talkative toddlers. Some of those youngsters believe naps are the bad part of a great day. If they could accurately verbalize their feelings, we’d hear some colorful, graphic language spewing forth. Adults consider nodding off in mid-day perfectly acceptable and refreshing. Toddlers consider it an intrusion on their fun. Feelings change drastically as years take their toll on the ability to stay awake and alert for long periods of time.
I don’t remember having to take a nap as a child, but I do remember having to be quiet. Hated that because it was so difficult for me to do. My mind was bursting with thoughts and ideas that I believed everyone, most particularly my mother, needed to hear. She was the one who told me I needed to be quiet. Poor woman, now I understand.
As a parent, I insisted my children take naps. Even if they didn’t need them, I did. For countless afternoons, there were my three children and two others for whom I provided childcare all trying to be quiet long enough to fall asleep. Part of the reason mothers need their children to take naps is so those mothers can see how positively angelic their children can look. When they are active, angelic demeanor is not always visible. It’s replaced by behavior unbecoming an angel.
My children are long grown and I’m an even more ardent advocate of naps. Fifteen minutes of sleep can recharge my disposition for hours. Without that mid-afternoon respite, I’m sluggish and virtually worthless when it comes to productivity or good humor. A flexible work schedule like mine allows for such luxuries as a mid-day snooze. Sleeping in is not my indulgence, not because I believe there’s anything virtuous about a six a.m. wake-up, but because it just happens. I compensate in the afternoon.
Recently my granddaughter, Emma, was visiting for the day. I love that child with all my heart and when I look at her or my younger granddaughter, Lili, I practically melt with warm and fuzzy feelings. However, naps are still not negotiable when they’re at my house. If they are visiting for the day, they need a nap. If they don’t, Grandma does.
On this particular day, and most days, Emma had zero interest in closing her eyes. I told her I’d keep her company as I figured my restful posture would lull her into sleep. Wrong! She talked and fidgeted and conversed some more. Telling her to go to sleep was like telling the sun to quit shining. She discussed the unbecoming behavior of the five dolls sharing our limited space; solemnly announced her monkey had fallen out of bed and she needed to pick him up; asked if I wanted her to read me a story, I didn’t; and informed me why she needed her necklace in bed with her.
Suffice it to say, my nap did not happen that day. Neither did Emma’s. But just listening to her endless chatter was rejuvenating. Naps are wonderful, but not when there’s free entertainment from an enchanting little girl. I wouldn’t miss that fun for any amount of sleep.