Big Girls Don’t Nap: A Baby Sleep Routine Story for Tired Parents

When you’re working hard on your baby sleep routine like I am, you don’t have time for extra naps. That’s why this is a funny baby nap story, even if Mommy doesn’t think it’s very funny. I’m a very busy big girl with important things to do, and daytime is for doing them, not for sleeping. I keep trying to explain this, but grown-ups can be a little slow sometimes.

I am so very grown up, and as we grown-ups do, I get all my sleeping done at night. I am very good about my nighttime routine. Bedtime is no reason to fuss. I understand the importance of a good night’s sleep. I know that I need my rest to be at my best the next day.

Mommy forgets how grown up I am, and she expects me to take naps during the day. According to Mommy, I should have at least 2 naps every day. I keep telling Mommy that I’m a big girl, and big girls don’t nap, but Mommy doesn’t seem to agree.

My first nap is scheduled after lunch in the early afternoon, and I’m expected to sleep upstairs in my bed. Mommy knows that if I have my lunch in my room, there’s a good chance that I’ll fall asleep in Mommy’s arms. Then Mommy can sneak me into my bed without me noticing. At least, not right away.

Baby Sleep Routine Struggles

Sometimes when I wake up, I feel like some time has passed. I play for a bit, and then it’s time for dinner. Other times I know that Mommy just left, and I quickly call her back again, demanding that she let me out of my crib. Big girls don’t nap! Then Mommy has no choice but to bring me into the kitchen while she gets dinner ready. I sit in my bouncy chair and observe.

I am willing to compromise a little and keep an open mind to the second nap of the day. Mommy likes for me to have this nap either after dinner or after my evening snack. It seems to depend on how successful my first nap was that day. I enjoy the flexibility.

I’m allowed to have this second snooze downstairs in the living room. I am more inclined to accept this arrangement because it’s not like a nap at all. I’ve seen Mommy close her eyes when she’s resting on the couch. I guess we grown-ups can allow ourselves a little bit of relaxing time in front of the TV. But I’m still a big girl!

So that’s how my very grown-up baby sleep routine works now. I think this whole thing makes a pretty funny baby nap story, because Mommy still believes I’m supposed to nap like a little baby. But I know the truth. Big girls don’t nap. We simply rest strategically. And if Mommy wants to call that a nap, well… I’ll let her be wrong quietly, because grown‑ups need their confidence too.