Do Working Moms Nap When Kids Nap?

YES! I tried to when my kids were little and I wasn't at work. I would debate about which was more important - me being a tolerant mom because I was rested and getting a nap OR some pressing bill/chore I needed to do. A nap, usually won!

Yes!!! I nap when my daughter does or at least lay with her just to get a breather. Naps won't always be there, take advantage if it.. :)

LOL
My son is 14 now....last night I fell asleep watching a movie at like 9pm. He woke me and sent me to bed!!!! This happens often on the weekends. I stay up late during the week to ensure that he gets his things done and gets to bed on time so on weekends I just crash. I think five days straight of 17+ hour days just catches up with me on the weekends.

With how busy our lives are, we all need time to rest and rejuvinate.

So, I say, NAP AWAY.

My kids both used to nap right when I got home from work (we're on late schedules since my husband is home days and works evenings) and I used to take a nap when they both napped. When my younger was a baby I sometimes just nodded off nursing him in bed and stayed there until my older one woke up. Now that my 4-year-old won't nap, I can sometimes doze a bit on the couch while I let him play a game close to me (his little brother is napping upstairs), or if it is day my husband is home, I usually take a nap in bed. Saturdays I almost always take a nap (husband is home), but Sundays my husband works 10 hours, so I don't get to. I actually will take a 10 or 15 minute nap at work sometimes since otherwise I can hardly stay awake to drive home. So no, you're not alone, we still need naps!! =)

When my first daughter was born, our doctor had two tips for us: One, go out on dates and don't talk about the kids, Two, sleep when the baby sleeps. Go for it. So the dishes are waiting in the sink, so what.

I realize that I am WAY late in responding here, I just had to add something. I do not understand why our society has so much guilt over sleep. I LOVE to sleep and had a serious sleep disorder as a child, so I kinda feel like I am making up for lost time. My child is neither neglected, nor antisocial, and neither am I. But I will sleep as much as I can, whenever I can. My friends and family constantly make fun of me for this. I am healthy, have hobbies, a good marriage, and a great kid. I work full time, sing with a group and have lots of friends and pets. What is the issue with sleep? My feeling is, if you want/need to sleep, go ahead and do it. Your body is trying to tell you something. Especially during the winter months! Sweet dreams!

My kids are elementary school age now and no longer nap. However, I still nap on weekends (sometimes both days) and they entertain themselves for an hour or so while I do! Take the time you need, an exhausted mom is no help to anyone.

I remember my kid's nap times were totally my time to get things done! Now I wish I had napped too. My biggest piece of advice that will sound sooo cliche' to young moms but enjoy this time.
I remember looking in the backseat at an empty carseat and thinking YES!~ I was alone and getting to do my own stuff without lugging babies and stollers... It was a "freeing" feeling but now I would give anything to have just one day with those babies again!
Don't get me wrong. I love my adult children and my daughter is now my best friend I could ever ask for but sometimes I remember back and think about those days that made me so tired and how fast they flew by.
Take a nap with your kidlet and don't give it a second thought!

If you need a nap, take a nap! I often did. Before baby I never napped. After, I found that any time things were quiet, I could nap. I can now even nap sitting up in a comfortable chair!! The chores will wait.

Hey Nadia, I've been living overseas, and I learnt about "siesta" when I first got here. Shops close at noon for lunch and some nap. This goes on from 1-4. Isn't that amazing? I would feed my little ones, and then put them down. It was a routine that at first I found to be crazy, but as time passed I see how a break like this is very much appreciated now. I've sinc left from one mediterranean country and have gone to another. It's pretty much similar, but once we eat our light lunch we all take a short nap in the afternoon. It's very reviving and very healthy. My son even does his homework in peace and he's not on edge by 4 PM. I've seen him off naps, and he gets a bit rambunctious. He doesn't want them anymore, but I have him rest for at least a half hour on the couch with me. Weekends it's a must since dad doesn't have them during the week. If your kids are older, and you need a bit of time out, but your children don't want it, you might want to insist upon they stay in their rooms with a book/magazine to read while you take a break. My mother-in-law taught her children that. Good outcome, I think. It has also been proven that a nap help the brain to function better. Memory too. Hope that helps...

I napped when my daughter napped on the weekends until recently. She just turned 4 and doesnt nap as much, but I find I miss it.

Hi I work full time during the week and when I'm home on weekends, I nap with my daughter regularly. She takes 2 hr naps every day (she's 2.5 yrs old), and on Saturdays and Sundays and I try to catch up on sleep and usually lay down with her and fall asleep right next to her. Sometimes I'll get up after an hour, and go do other things, like start on dinner or get some cleaning done, other times I found myself sleeping for a whole 2 hrs with her. I find it very refreshing and there's nothing wrong with it. Get the sleep if you need it.

If my daughter is napping on the weekends and I need a nap, I nap.....If she is napping and I'm not tired, I get some housework done......I work hard during the week and as moms know, there are no days off.....Do not feel guilty for napping! If your body needs it, DO IT!

Hi Nadia. I don't know how old your baby is, but no, I did not nap. I really only napped during my kids' first month, when I was still on maternity leave. I went back when my first was 2 months, and she slept through the night. A nap never occurred to me, neither did it for my 2nd, weekends were busy times and my 4 year old expected outings and plans. However, you need to do what works for you and if it doesn't interfere terribly with your schedule, and you feel it benefits you, then it shouldn't matter what other people do!

Last week I got to stay home with my son and you betcha I took naps with him!!!
I am so exhausted all time working two part time jobs and go to school. Plus my son sleeps better when he's next to me.

Updated

Last week I got to stay home with my son and you betcha I took naps with him!!!
I am so exhausted all time working two part time jobs and go to school. Plus my son sleeps better when he's next to me.

Naps are great! Take it since you can!

No, but DH does occasionally.

I sometimes do! I have the most energy in the morning so try to get some stuff done will my boys (age 3 and 19 months) play, so I can relax come nap time!

I'm totally there. I think it's really more the mental exhaustion more then anything. I get to a point where I just need some quiet and a nap is the perfect respite. Besides-aren't naps great?! I love a cozy sunday afternoon nap!

I think it depends. Every person needs a certain amount of sleep. I used to think there was something wrong with me that I truly needed 12 hours of sleep (I rarely got that much sleep but I craved it.). However, I think most adults need and doctors recommend 8 hours of sleep a night. Maybe more when you are sick.

A SAHM who is at home with a young child; one that isn't sleeping thru the night or one waking to be nursed, is probably not getting a solid 8 hours of quality sleep and so napping when the baby naps makes sense.

I am not a SAHM and nothing makes me happier than getting up early on a weekend, getting stuff done around the house so that I can earn a nap in the afternoon. I am already feeling a little sleepy!

Hi Nadia
I am also a working Mum and I ALWAYS napped when my son did at the weekend.
Those naps are gone since the last few weeks. He is 3.5yrs now. My advise would be to enjoy every minute of nap time because they will be gone before you know it.
B.

I nap and I'm a stay at home mom! :)