To nest or to nap: That is the question

Virginny

Hi Mamas,

My boys will be 25 mos apart, so not technically 2U@, but looking for your sage advice. I have a traveling hubby and both our families are out-of-state, which leaves me to tend to DS a lot of the time. I've gotten used to be being a single parent for a week at a time, but I am nervous about handling 2 little ones.

I digress..my little guy keeps me busy and I often find that I need a 45 min nap every day when he goes down. I usually sleep for an hour. I know that I need/want to get things prepped for DS #2 (organizing laundry, rooms, filing away imp docs, creating photo albums of DS #1) things that I won't be able to do once the baby gets here. But each day I find myself tired and needing that nap. And at the end of the day, I'm tired too. I do workout 2-3x a week and that helps a bit.

Since DS was a terrible napper/sleeper until I weaned him at 15 mos, I'm getting nervous about those first few weeks of complete sleep deprivation and constant nursing and if this baby is anything like his brother, I won't be sleeping for a looong time, lol.

So, mamas, is it okay for me to keep napping every day? Or should I push through to get things done? If you were to do it over again, what would you do? 

CaitlinJ22

You can find time to do both in my opinion. do some chores for 20 minutes and nap for 40....it could work. I hate napping, it throws my day off but if I am pooped I just watch TV and put my feet up and relax and do nothing. 

My DH is gone for 3 weeks then home for 3 weeks. I learned early to rest the majority of the time while they nap, and do chores while they are awake and happy. It was harder in the early days since DS was so little and DD was a newborn, but she was an easier baby then he was. If she was happy napping or swinging, I would put elmo on for DS for 30 mins and get some laundry done with her in sight, or do some vaccuuming. After about 4 months I got a better rhythm. In the beginning it was just survival, clean what is dirtiest

The urge for me to nest was STRONG the second time, so I got a little energy boost from that. With that said, you dont need to plan too much with #2. 

NavyPilotWife

Luckily, DD1 was sometimes taking two naps per day, when I first got pregnant.  I was so exhausted that I sometimes napped twice too.  She started STTN around 12.5 months and that helped some, but I was starting to get uncomfortable and wasn't sleeping well.  I worked out throughout my entire pregnancy with DD2, but still needed naps.  I'm not sure how often I napped, but I bet it was at least once a week.  If you need a nap, take a nap.  The extra sleep helps me be patient, which makes me a better mama.

I try not to worry too much about what isn't done around the house.  Once 3rd tri hit, I did get a little more energy back (or I finally realized that I needed to hurry up and get stuff done).  I got DD1's first year scrapbook done and made some cute wall letters for DD2.  My house is rarely spotless with the toddler tornado in full swing, but I spend lots of quality time with the kids and that's what's important to me.  If housework stresses you out, look to see if a cleaning lady is in your budget.

Seriously though, take a nap everyday, if you feel you need it.  Heck, my kids slept like crap last night, so I took a nap this afternoon.  On the bright side, the newborn sleep deprivation was so much easier the second time around. 

chloephoebecali

Nap!  Later in pregnancy, I got a bigger urge to nest and was more capable of skipping here and there.  I still nap now when DD goes down even with DS sttn.  DS sleeps great in my arms and so we co-nap when she goes down.  Dishes eventually get done, but I need to feel somewhat rested, especially for DD otherwise I lose my patience more easily with her.

angelproberts

I say nap. I'm also a single mother but 24/7. I didn't nap when DD did because I wasn't sleepy then. I did rest. Your new LO won't know that he/she didn't come home to a perfect nursery. You need the rest so take the time out to take care of yourself becuase you will be chasing LO#1 around soon! GL it's not as bad as it seeems. PM if you need to about being single parent of 2u2.

Virginny

Thanks for all the tips! It does take DS about 30 mins to go down for a nap, so I usually unwind/check e-mail/laundry/etc. I am hoping that I get that second wind and urge to nest in the third trimester. I can't exactly get a lot of chores done while DS is awake because he hates laundry and wants to be where I am all-the-time. I can do dishes while he's in the highchair. I think we may get a housekeeper short term after DS #2 comes along. 

 

 

CaitlinJ22

Virginny:

 I think we may get a housekeeper short term after DS #2 comes along. 

 

 

That I agree with whole heartedly. I waited until DD was 7 months to do that and I wish I had done it when she was a newborn. I had someone come once a month for 6 months and it was great. I jsut stopped it for the fall/winter bc of holidays we need to save more, but I will start it up come march I think.  

MAMAxB

I am not 2u2 yet... but I am similar to you in EDD/have a toddler. I vote.. NAP!

I rarely make it through the day without one. At least for 30 minutes.

I am a night person naturally so I am pretty much a hardcore nester between 8 and 11pm

But if you are not - like a PP said, everything that has to be done will be. I didn't nest with DD until maybe the last month and I was working/full time student but it all works out!

GL!