Dreams Of Napping
Dear Diary,
Napping is fun. My children would always snicker and scoff when I would say such a thing. But I really wish someone would send me to my room and tell me to go take a nap. Especially when I am grumpy and whiny and my eyes are doing that droopy thing. If you asked my Kindergarten classes what is Mrs. Kelli’s favorite thing to do they would pipe up quite readily with the answer: take a nap. Once, I actually had a student offer to watch the class for me so I could put my head down on my desk and take a snoozer. (Well, no, I couldn’t accept his gift, but it was a lovely gesture.)
Napping is a decadent and luxurious exit from a busy day that creates extra energy to conquer the rest of those things on your plate with aplomb and vigor. It is an excellent attitude adjuster. Sometimes I even wake up with new ideas! Do I get many of these treats? No. Do I daydream about them? Yes.
Most of the time my day is too packed to squeeze a nap in. I have to plan my naps carefully because a Thwarted Nap is worse than no nap at all. A Thwarted Nap can cause Monster Attitude. This development is best to be avoided for all involved. If I think the odds are stacked against a successful napping experience, it is best to just grab an energy drink and trudge napless through the rest of my day.
Aside from my busy schedule, I also have to deal with the Antinapping Ninja, which would be my four year old daughter. Napping has been off of her list of things to do for forever now. But the hatred is still fresh. The mere mention of the word brings fire to her eyes and angry hisses from her lips. I have given up battling to get her to take a nap, but I will still battle to get mine. Occasionally, I can grab a quickie nap while she is in PreKindergarten, but this is a dilemma because this is also the only time in the day that I am alone and able to do things without my four year old shadow. Sometimes I try to swing a nap on the weekend if I have reinforcements. I will tell her that I am going to ‘lay down’. It is best not to use the ‘N word’. I tell her that Daddy and her older sister are capable to help her with any need that arises. Then I attempt to nap. My door will be opened by the Antinapping Ninja for any number of reasons. Here are some examples: “Mommy, I’m hungry.” “Mommy, Tony stuck his tongue out at me.” “Mommy, can you put this dress on my Barbie?” “Mommy, the puppy pooped on the floor.” This causes Monster Attitude to appear.
Yesterday was a Teacher Workday so all of the kids were home as well as my husband. I determined that I would wrestle a nap out of the day. I was very firm with my ninja. I told her that she was not allowed to open my door for any reason whatsoever or I would be mad. I reiterated to her that Daddy and her sister were extremely qualified to administer food, control her brother, adorn Barbies and clean poop. All seemed well at first. As I was drifting into la-la land nestled comfortably in my fluffy comforter and plethora of pillows I heard her walk up to my door, but not open it. Good. I continued into the blissful spiral of sleep. I succumbed. Then I was rudely awakened by wails of utter despair. My daughter was outside my door, face in the carpet sobbing: “I want my Mommy!” My whole body tensed as I waited to see if she would just get over it and go away. She did not. I opened the door and let my little ninja enter my room. I told her that her choice was to go play or take a nap with me. To my surprise, she chose the latter. She snuggled in with me and fell asleep almost instantly. I was wide awake. Sigh. Another nap thwarted.
Dear Diary .... by Kellianne Sweeney 