My twin daughters gave up naps (for the most part) shortly after they turned three. During the summer it was great! We could be out and about and we wouldn’t have to leave the fun to go home to take naps. Now that it’s winter and we’re stuck inside without much to do, I’m desperately wishing we could get a couple hours of quiet time back every day.
However, when they do occasionally (like once a month) take a nap, bedtime is next to impossible! Whereas when they don’t take a nap it’s the easiest thing ever. So it really makes me think long and hard about how much I want them to nap. Then again, when you have a twin sister who attends the same preschool class as you, you never get a break from her unless you are asleep. Another reason why naptime is so badly missed these days – my girls get so irritable with each other after being together nonstop! And I get so irritated with all the arguing. A stranger stopped me in the aisle at Target the other day to point out that they were arguing about whether Pop-Tarts are funny or not! I swear they will fight about any – and every – thing! So I have decided to start an hour of separate, quiet play time each day. I think we all could use a little break from each other!
The mom from the “All Our Days” blog describes it as a “sanity saver”:
Establishing a quiet time of independent play gives the child a little down time and the parent a little uninterrupted time as well. Even if you work away from home throughout the week, setting up an afternoon quiet time on the weekends can be a sanity saver.
Here’s the lowdown on our quiet time…
Around 1:00 pm they each have to go to their individual bedrooms for quiet, separate time for one hour. During that time they can read books, do puzzles, play with their new dollhouse and/or train board that they got for Christmas (one has the dollhouse in her room, the other has the train board in her room), play with their dolls or animals, play dress-up, or rest if they so desire. Basically they can do whatever they want/play with whatever they want as long as it’s quiet – and they don’t even have to share with their sister, but most importantly, we all get a little independent, quiet time to ourselves. Heaven!
I know my girls, though, so I imagine they will get bored with their rooms and playing alone, so I’ve been scouring the internet for some ideas to help them quietly occupy their time. Here are some awesome suggestions:
- Quiet Activities from Pinterest
- Busy Bags from All Our Days
- Toddler Busy Bag Swap from The Rigneys
- What To Do When Naptime Ceases from I Can Teach My Child
- Q is for Quiet Play Activities from Childhood 101
Seems like I’m not the only one craving a little quiet in the afternoon! Take note if you’ve got younger children – you too will be here soon!
And here are some other good guidelines for establishing your own quiet time.
This is our first week with this, so we will see how it goes…
Please share any ideas you have found successful for establishing quiet time with your children. I’d love the tips and feedback!
Photo Credit :: Life of a Happy Mom
We LOVE quiet time in our home. When we first started it took our oldest a couple of weeks to figure out that she had to actually stay quiet, she’s quite the talker. Now, most afternoons are pleasant with our 5 year old’s quiet time and the younger three (4, 2, 1) napping.
Thanks for linking to our 31 Days of Busy Bags and Quiet Time Activities Series.
Sara,
Thanks for sharing your quiet time ideas. My daughters still nap, but my old daughter is close to giving it up. I can feel it! Yikes! I also love the point you brought up about sibblings needing a break from eachother at times. It seems obvious that they would, but I think I easily forget this!
I hope establishing a quiet time with your girls goes well and allows you all to have the break that you need!
Liz