by Lois Breneman, © 2005, Heart to Heart
When a child is about ready to give up his naptime, Mom still needs some quiet time. Agreed? Well, so does your child still need some quiet time, as much as he might fight it. I smile when I remember my young son saying, "Give me a piece of quiet!" He meant "peace and quiet," and it's interesting that his name, Jeff, also means "God's peace."
So when your child is ready to give up his nap, transition his "Naptime" to about one hour of "Quiet Time." Let your child know that he does not have to go to sleep, but that he does need to stay in his room for about an hour (until you tell him time's up) and rest or play very quietly. If your child is impatient and keeps asking when the time is up, hang a clock on the wall and tell him which number the big hand will point to when the time is up. This time of quietness is good for your child to be able to unwind - and it is certainly good for his mom! Do I hear a loud "Amen" from all you worn out moms?
A "Reading Area" is very useful for even a small child's room. A small table and chair would serve a function for working puzzles and coloring. A beanbag chair would also be fun to curl up in with some good books. Why, you child might even fall asleep in it! If you are short on good books, scout out yard sales, Goodwill and dollar stores. Since I saved all of our three children's books to pass on to the grandchildren, there's certainly no shortage here! You might want to do the same for that time when you are blessed with grandchildren.
Your child can spend that "peace of quiet" looking at books, playing with dolls or trucks, coloring, but being quiet is a must. Playing children's music quietly in your child's room works very well during this time. In fact, there are many tapes and CD's which teach scripture verses simply by quoting or through songs. Children can listen to Bible stories on tape and have your Christian teaching reinforced during this time. Here's where a CD player that holds several CD's at a time would come in handy, otherwise your child will have to settle for just one album per "Quiet Time."
See if this "Quiet Time" doesn't make for happier, more content children and a more rested mom!
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