10 Better Things To Do Than Check Social Media During Nap Time

If you ever find yourself with magical quiet time, when all of your kids are safely snoozing during nap time–what do you do with it? I frantically get on my phone to devour all of the emails, texts, and social media posts I’ve received. When I finally come up for some air, I feel drained and guilty, and have to admit that I just wasted some potentially restorative time on heartbreaking news and auto-pilot likes.

Motherhood can be lonely, and social media can easily make me feel connected to the outside world. But, what if lonely wasn’t a bad thing? What if I unplugged during my precious child- and husband-free time?

Nap time is a constant opportunity for that elusive priority: self-care.

Over the last several weeks, I’ve aimed for mindfulness and restoration whenever my “screaming machines” are taking a rest. It’s a time to do all of the things I absolutely can’t enjoy when my kids are awake. I’ve learned to do a lot of things with them, so I had to do some real soul-searching.

Here’s a list I’ve come up with to feel truly rested during nap time instead of zoning out on social media:

1. Enjoy a meal –  Savor every delicious, demand-free bite. A tuna sandwich never tasted so good! Same goes for my afternoon coffee–I sip the hell out of it. I won’t tell if you “accidentally” make it Irish…
2. Make a meal – Get a head start on dinner, or make an easy meal that you can freeze for one of those “I can’t even” nights. Enjoy the process, take your time with it, and appreciate that you don’t have a toddler wrapped around your leg.
3. Reach out to a friend/family member – I constantly think of friends and family I miss. However, with my two toddlers, any thought of contacting them goes on the back burner. This is a great chance to reach out to that loved one and enjoy each other’s company.
4. Pray/meditate – Do whatever it is that keeps you centered, grateful, and strengthened.
5. Dream – Sleep or just daydream. Let your good thoughts wander while you’re in fantasy land…
6. Sext your spouse – Do it! Indulge in a little spontaneity, feel like a sexy girlfriend again instead of a frazzled mess of hair and kid snacks.
7. Do light house-work – It’s tempting to hit the ground running: cleaning, paying bills, laundry (always laundry!). Those things are all necessary, but remember that nap time should be as restful for mom as it is for kids. Whatever chores you do, balance it out with something fun, like good music in the background.
8. Exercise – DVDs are great, but get creative: run around your car a few times, see how many push-ups you can do in a minute, or, my favorite–participate in your own solo dance party.
9. Shower – “Mom sweat” is a real thing. Put on the baby monitor and enjoy a hot, relaxing shower/bath. Someone will wake up within five seconds of your dip, but at least you tried. They can’t take that away from you!
10. Laugh – In all you do, let there be laughter. It’s good for the body and soul.

There are so many other things: read, write, pick up a long-lost hobby. Social media is great, but those rare quiet moments–when you are you, not mom or wife–are times to enjoy your own company.

No matter how long (or short) nap time is, you’ll feel rested, happy, and ready to handle your post-nap cranky cuties.