As a general rule for myself, I do not want to do anything while my toddler naps. Usually when she naps, I fall asleep with her. Otherwise, I want to be reading, writing, sewing, baking, or any other hobby that I just enjoy. I refuse, REFUSE! To do chores if she is asleep.
I see a lot of posts on social media about moms struggling to get their “me-time”. This is my method and it works for me. (Also, something I’ve found: if I spend my “me-time” on social media, I never ever feel fulfilled. So, I try to avoid wasting my time scrolling and do something I genuinely find fulfilling.) If she is asleep, I’m off the clock. I am not washing dishes, I’m not sweeping, I’m not vacuuming, I’m not NOTHIN’. Period. But when she wakes up? It’s game. on. And she loves it, by the way.
In the morning, we start with feeding the animals. I feed the dog, she feeds the cat (with help). While I make breakfast, she plays on her own in the living-room or stands next to me in her tower and mixes when I need mixing and throws trash away when it needs to be thrown away. A high-five for helping goes a long way!
For laundry, I hand her the clothes one by one and she puts them in the washer or dryer. This does make it take forever, but she usually doesn’t stay for the whole time. If she goes on her merry way, I let her go and I finish up. Folding the clothes is a different story, and her dad has to be home watching her so I can fold in peace. Lol. We have yet to master that one together.
Vacuuming is one of her favorites because she uses her little pink bubble vacuum and follows me around. I’ve seen the featherweight bissel recommended in Montessori toddler groups and eventually I want to get that for her. I think she will love having a real, little vacuum!
Some chores there’s not much she can do but watch, like scooping the cat litter and cleaning the toilet but even just watching is fun for her (sometimes).
The cutest one to me is when she wants to help with dishes. I just find it so adorable. She loves to stand in her tower and use the scrubby. She loves to put utensils in the dishwasher. She loves to take them out and hand them to me, one by one. The whole ordeal is just too cute to me.
I won’t lie to you and say it’s all sunshine and rainbows. She once locked me out of the house while I was taking out the dog. She has dropped a toy (or two) into the toilet. She has soaked the entire kitchen floor playing in the sink. She has, on occasion, not wanted to do anything but be held. And that’s alright.
Sometimes everything else can wait, and we can just go snuggle until she’s feeling better. Sometimes we have to do stuff with crying. Sometimes I do it all with one hand, and her on my hip. Sometimes nothing at all gets done until my husband comes home to make us both feel better.
And when nap time comes and goes without anything productive happening, I don’t hold it against myself. Because there’s no deadline for having a clean house. There’s no deadline for me to finish writing my book or finishing my TBR list. It can still be a good day if you’re going to bed with a messy house. If you’re able, I highly recommend taking nap time to do something you enjoy. Or something you haven’t tried before. Or taking that nap right along with baby.
The benefits are two-fold. I get a little bit of time for myself every day, and my daughter gets to grow up thinking chores are fun and a good way to spend time together. I’m sure the sweetness of this season won’t last, so I’m basking in it while I can. Thanks for reading!
