Naps Begin Wavering. Sanity Follows Suit.

The Boy is such a good boy for a variety of reasons.  First off, he's the most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes on.  Secondly, his budding comedy routine is to die for.  If you ask him where his mouth is located he'll pretend to take a bite, sound effect and all.  Then out of nowhere he'll callback this gag like when he pretends to eat your foot.  He also can be very patient, calm and kind (in spite of contradicting tendencies to beat up fellow playgroup attendees from time to time).

Perhaps the most patient and calm time for him is in his crib when we put him down for a nap or bedtime.  You see, he's not tired.  We can spend the morning running all over an open field and he won't get tired.  We'll follow it up with some play time in the apartment and he won't get tired.  Countless book readings and he won't be tired.  Vast explorations of the building's hallways, stairwells and landscaping later he won't be tired.  So he'll sit in his crib for an hour--sometimes longer--just playing by himself perfectly content.  It's like, "Okay Mommy, I'll sit here and take it easy.  Clearly you need a rest.  I do not.  Please come get me when you've regained balance."

At age 18 months of age it seems we are starting the Gradual Great Nap Phase Out.  (Lone tear slowly plummets from corner of eye.)

But Mrs. Jarcy, children under the age of 4 NEED naps.  They really do.  The books written by the experts say so.  Your toddler needs at least an hour but more like two to nap each and every day.  Then they'll go down for bed around 7PM and stay there for 12 hours, typically longer.  THE BOOKS say so.  Please adhere to the parenting rules.  Right now you're breaking them and your child will suffer.   

I've consulted books.  I've consulted other moms.  I've gone so far as to consult the higher powers above and a psychic.  It's now time to face the music... he doesn't need that much sleep.  He's a supreme being.  He can sleep for less than 12 hours for the night with no day time nap some days!  If he does nap then he's up past the time most adults are and then will be in bed for maybe 10 hours.  The writing is on the wall--he's like his Grandoze (my father) and needs less sleep than most creatures.  By the time he's my father's age he too will only require 45 minutes of nightly rest.

If you don't have kids and are reading this you're probably thinking, "What's the big deal?  10 hours sounds like a lot!"  If you do have kids and are reading this you're probably thinking, "Only 10 hours and no nap?  You poor woman! You must be doing something wrong."

Both Mr. Jarcy and I were not big nappers as small children.  It's only (un)fair our offspring follows down the same, sleepless path.

*Shortly after composing this post, The Boy took a two-hour nap.  Mama's sanity thanks you, Boy.  And then was up until 10:30pm.  Mama's sanity needs to stop being directly linked to your sleep patterns.