The Napping House

(Pictures above are of wrestling before nap -- this is common. It actually makes me feel really strong because I'm able to pick him up with one hand and toss him. I realize this won't always be the case.)

When the kids were younger it seemed they slept most of their day. Once we figured out a schedule it changed and we would have to reconfigure each plan accordingly. We continue to analyze the common traits of their internal clocks and figure out the best ways to meet their needs. Some days are more flexible than others.

Has anyone added behavior analysts to the list of jobs moms are responsible for? If not, they should. Napping needs and habits have been different for each kid. I could probably create spreadsheets and graphics to demonstrate the striking and subtle differences.

Vanessa seems to need more rest than her brother, relatively speaking. She's an early riser though. Zane's body seems to want to stay up later and sleep a little later in the morning. I'm not sure we were really designed to ever outgrow naps, although Zane can skip some but typically needs a day to recharge after 3 or 4 days.

Vanessa is a lucid dreamer, like me. About 6 months ago she told me that she figured out how to change a bad dream or a dream to something she likes. She said "If I know I'm dreaming and want to change it, I just spin myself in my dream and I can change it to something I like. If I don't like the new dream, I just spin myself again." She still talks about fire dreams she had when she was 3 and 4. They made quite the impression and still freak her out some, not wanting Zane to be alone or to do certain things. I also remember her sharing when she was about 5 that she had a dream that Zane was really tiny, like a shrunken version. This is also really upsetting to her. She sleepwalks and speaks gibberish sometimes. I've even found her brushing her teeth in the middle of the night while she's asleep.

I ask Zane if he dreams and what they are about. He doesn't usually remember, although he giggles and talks in his sleep. His biggest thing is jerking in his sleep and sitting up and whimpering, along with kicking and jabbing to be sure his sleepmate isn't resting well.

When I'm in contract, Zane and I are often napping together. He doesn't truly fight it and even rubs his nose to mine and says "Snuggle. Snuggle."

(These two didn't want to get out of bed the morning after the national champion win.)