Midday Routines and Naps

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Day 12 of #Write28Days Challenge

Yesterday, we set up our morning routine so that we know exactly what we need to do when we wake up instead of wasting our time pottering around. Today, I am writing about midday routines and naps and how they can help our homeschooling and housework chores.

Of Midday Routines and Naptimes

A midday routine can start from just before lunch or at lunch.

When I had young children, our midday routine started half an hour before lunchtime.

Toy and games pick up (while I prep lunch) >>> wash hands >>> eat >>> they read/potter around (while I washed up) >>> naptime

Toy Pick Up

I instituted this as part of our midday routine since they were toddlers so that I can do a quick magic mop around the house when they napped or did their quiet playtime. I did not have to waste time picking up and putting away the toys. I could just start mopping immediately.

Later on, when they started homeschooling, packing up before lunch ensured that the dining table is available for lunch. It also gave them a stop time for their work.

Naptime and Quiet Playtime

I highly, highly recommend this.

I insist on naptimes for babies and toddlers, especially the midday or afternoon nap. When they transition out of it, naps are replaced by quiet playtime.

Everyone needs a break from everyone, especially moms. Siblings also need a break from each other. When they were younger, they do not realise this and even if they did, they did not know how to get it so they end up fighting and annoying each other instead.

Instituting some time away from each other – just 30 minutes – is very helpful.

And in that 30 minutes, you can choose to rest or do stuff that you cannot do when the children are underfoot. For example, a quick magic mop of the house, cooking or ironing.

I usually choose to nap because of the multiple middle of the night wakings with a nursing baby. Otherwise, it is a quick magic mop and then a 15 min power nap.

Again, if you have not done this before, it will take time for everyone to get used to this routine. It is a worthwhile investment of your time. Once it is established, everyone will automatically go with the flow.

A Time to Pause

Use midday routines and naps as times to pause and regroup.

If your morning was great, use this time to check your to-do list to ensure that the rest of the day will follow the same path.

If your morning wasn’t great, use this time to pause, take a breath and restart the rest of the day. A day isn’t ruined just because the morning did not go as planned. A midday routine is a great way to get back on track.

Acknowledge Your Wins

Besides going through your to-do list to decide if what needs to be done can be done, and what may need to be pushed to another time or day, part of your midday routine should include you acknowledging your wins, no matter how small.

Pat yourself on the back for the things you did do as planned for the morning or for not losing your cool. This helps to keep you motivated to push through.

Tomorrow, we will set up our evening routines.

Related Links

Instituting Quiet Times (not the Devotional Kind)
The Blessing of a Timer

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