We have been on a mega road trip across Europe recently, which has meant huge excitement and very late nights. This has led to some over exhausted children, and my 5yo, (who is in school and obviously doesn’t usually sleep in the day), being in absolute, desperate need of a nap in the day.
Trouble is, she is unbelievably stubborn, (absolutely not a trait she has inherited from me, thank you Mr PB!! 😉 ), and seems to see nap resistance as some sort of personal challenge, every time I risked a peek into the back, I would see those baby blues, firmly wide open and staring at me defiantly.
It gave me the idea for this post though.
The 5 stages of naptime resistance.
Denial.
“I am not tired, not even a little bit, I do not need a nap.” Usually accompanied by some extreme eye rubbing and/or yawning.
Bargaining.
“I don’t want to have an early night, I’m not even tired, can I just sit here with my eyes closed and ‘rest’ and still go out for dinner tonight?”
Tears.
“I’m nooooooooot tiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrreeeeeeeed, you’re so mean, you’re the meanest mummy ever, this behaviour does NOT mean that I’m obviously tired!”
Sulking.
Arms generally folded, lower lip jutting and a scowl.
Acceptance.
This is the point where you sneak a peek into the back and spot your little cherub, mouth open, possibly snoring and finally peaceful!
One of the days though, it took over an hour and a half of driving to hit on ‘acceptance’. An hour and a half! With her steely core and sheer defiant will, I’m starting to get terrified of what the teenage years will have in store for me! 😀
All the hours driving were worth it for moments like these! Lots more snapshots of our life like this on my instagram, click the pic to take a look.
Oh the nap time blues… We have soo been there!
So draining isn’t it?!
What a beautiful photograph! Your trip sounds so much fun – I’m hoping we can do a similar thing in a few years time … I’m reading with avid interest! Thank you for hosting #bigpinklink – love the new badges 🙂 xx
I shall be writing it up properly! It was completely, exhaustingly brilliant! Glad you like the picky and the badges. 🙂
Or piccy rather, my laptop even has autocorrect!!
That photograph is magnificent. And so are the new badges of course. I can’t help finding it sweet the way children fight tiredness, only for a split secon of course, before stages 2, 3 and 4 exhaust me too. #bigpinklink
Oh thank you! Yes, I always find it more exhausting then they seem to!!
Ha! You forgot to add ‘rags the hell our of your hair’ and ‘sticks fingers up your nostrils until you actually can’t breathe.’ This is what my son does to me when I put him to sleep. Oh, and he climbs off the bed and runs off. Brilliant! Thanks for hosting the link up – it’s my first time here. #bigpinklink
Hahahaha, my two are a little older now but I remember that well!! Welcome to the #bigpinklink hope you enjoyed your experience!
This post made me smile, absolutely spot on! You daughter does look adorable of your picture, like you say that makes it all worth it!
#bigpinklink
That photo is absolutely gorgeous! I find it hard enough when Josh fights having a nap and he’s a baby – not sure I’m ready for the stubborness of a toddler ha ha xx #bigpinklink
Oh thank you! France is so gorgeous. Yes, toddler stubborn is on a whole new level!! 🙂
Firstly your trip across Europe sounds amazing. Secondly, I completely understand the not needing a nap! Yesterday I had a MASSIVE meltdown because I was so overtired but was REFUSING to go to sleep as I was worried about missing out (we were visiting family). In the end Mother had to cuddle me to sleep, even though we were all supposed to be getting ready for a family do! Argh!!!! x #bigpinklink
How very dare they leave you to nap?! Of course they should hold you at all times. Silly parents!! Maybe they will make up for it with a holiday to France when you are bigger! 😉
Yep, very true! #bigpinklink x
🙂
Love the photo! The tears stage is the worst for me. I have had an entire car journey of crying… wine was needed.
Urgh! The crying!!!! Wine definitely helps!!
haha! why don’t they just give in? We aren’t doing anything more fabulous (as I’m sure they think we are lol) except keeping an eye on them napping! #bigpinklink
I know right?! So annoying. 😀
Hehe, this is so very true! Marianna will do anything to stay awake. x #bigpinklink
These stubborn girls!!
Beautiful picture 🙂 I am very familiar with those 5 stages! The teenage years sure will be fun! #BigPinkLink
Oh the old nap fight and the long drive to get them to sleep. We’ve definitely had days like that already with our girls. Can’t wait to hear more about your amazing road trip!! #bigpinklink x
Oh I know! I’m going to write it all up. 🙂
We had this last night but at bedtime. It was a battle of wills. Oh the bargaining that was taking place and all from me!! It was half nine in the end and then I was so exhausted that I had to go to bed! #bigpinklink
Oh no! They are the absolute worst! When you end up in bed at the same time!!!!
Ah gorgeous photo! My threenager is firmly into the bargaining phase now. It tends to take me all afternoon to get her to have a little nap when I can see that she is shattered after preschool. She eventually falls asleep at about 5pm while I’m cooking tea, and then refuses to go to bed at night. Hmmf!
Thanks for hosting #bigpinklink x
Oh my threenie is getting similar! He’ll doze off around half 4/5 and then be up til 9! Gah!
RIP nap time with the eldest. Thankfully youngest is pretty quick at getting to acceptance as he hasn’t reached the age where he tries to resist. Can’t wait for those days again – not! #bigpinklink
Yes. It’s very very very rare that she’ll nap now, but just occasionally after a week of 10pm bedtimes she’ll need one!! (And then resist!)
Bless her! I imagine my daughter will be just the same at that age… God help us both!
#bigpinklink
Just make sure you have wine/beer/chocolate/cake in! (Delete as appropriate. Or not! 😉 )
Oh a beautiful photo – I want to be sitting on that blanket having a picnic too! It does make me laugh about children fighting the need for sleep – at what stage do we switch the switch and actually not mind admitting that we are tired and need to go to bed – I’m proud of my 8:30 bedtimes when need be!! #BigPinkLink
Hmmm, that is a very good question! I wonder if there is an actual cut off point for sleep fighting?! 😀
Gorgeous photo! Great description! We’ve just done an epic trip to France from the North East UK, so I can totally relate. Needless to say, I’m not looking forward to the return journey! #BigPinkLink
I hope the return went well….if you’re back now? Our two were so so good but definitely fed up near the end of it!! 🙂
What a beautiful photo! I laughed at the nap time resistance, we seem to go straight from tired to screaming, on repeat!! #bigpinklink
Haha love this. My boy is nearly 3 and most days he won’t nap now, no matter how much running around he does. He says he’s not tired while yawning and rubbing his eyes all the time!love that picture, it’s gorgeous xx #bigpinklink
It’s like it’s some kind of admission of weakness to give in isn’t it?!
Similar situation to you bat it is Hong round Europe but decorating. My son has to be literally knackered to even want to play ball. I think he is worried that he will miss out on something X #bigpinklink
Yes, well we did tend to bring out the sweets when she finally had given in!! 😀
Oh what a strong willed little miss you have, I’m sure it will stand her in good stead in years to come…perhaps you won’t feel the same when going in to battle with a teenager. I hope you are having a lovely holiday xx #bigpinklink
Gorgeous shot. I hope there are many easier naps in your future and you are having a great time on your roadtrip! #bigpinklink
Thank you my lovely!
I can only imagine what it’s like once they get to that age. Right now I get toddler tantrums when it’s nap time. My child definitely hastill inherited my stubborn streak. Hope you had a wonderful trip. Sounds like you got to visit a lot of places. And love the picture#bigpinklink
I have definitely passed on the stubborn gene. It’s so annoying! 😀
I hear you! My youngest refused to nap when she was 2 and insists on keep going throughout the day until we get to the inevitable meltdown at bedtime. Why don’t they just give in?! Love the sound of your road trip! #BigPinkLink
I’ll be writing it up soon! I just don’t know why they don’t see sleep as the beautiful thing that it is!
Omg…nods, my son is five and ditched naps ages ago but the other day we did a playdate mummy and boy stop over..and they didn’t sleep till 10…(shudder). By 2pm the next day he was in hyperactive whine mode and pulling his ear…tired signals and I did the same..drove round for half an hour with him shouting ‘big boys do not day sleep’!He then conked out and I sat in the car for 45 mins while he snored 🙂 #bigpinklink
That’s what my daughter says, ‘I’m five now! We do not ever nap!’. She also passed out in the end though!!! 😀
What I wouldn’t pay to be told to nap during the day! I wish I could have a do-over for every nap that I behaved exactly how you described. Lost naps. Unrequited naps. Woe.
and, since I haven’t napped, or slept, #bigpinklink
Oh no!!!
Erm firstly how did you go away and I didn’t notice?! And may be the force be with you. No nap time horrors here…just preteen crap. #bigpinklink
Ahahaha, stealth holidaying! (Plus I still had my mobile probably!)
Oh wow sounds epic!! Can’t wait to read all about it. I have the same issues with Monkey and recognise all of these! The car normally solves the problem! Thanks for hosting #BigPinkLink xx
I think we over saturated the car magic and so it stopped working!
Haha brilliant! My 13 month old is much the same, even though she can’t speak yet…fights it to the bitter end. Beautiful picture too xx #bigpinklink
I think it might be a girl thing! My son is much better at just admitting he’s tired and giving in. She has a will of steel!
Ack!!! This is all so true and so scary! My youngest just goes straight to “sulk” and he will just sit on his bed and force himself to stay awake.