As I mentioned previously, we’ve been having a bit of a nap crisis lately.  This is the start of week 3 of DJ taking very sporadic naps.  Since last fall he has been taking 2-3 hr afternoon naps, so you can imagine the shock and surprise of him giving them up for the most part.  In the past 15 days, he’s probably only taken a handful of naps, and only one of which was his normal length.

I was thinking about this tonight as I was sharing my new methods with some friends.  Before doing “Loving On Purpose” I would get pretty frazzled when our routine was thrown off, feeling responsible and helpless in the face of a tired cranky 18 month old.  I’m so grateful that I’ve had something to focus my attention on, that has brought out such positive responses from DJ, despite me feeling slightly out of control.  Even Dwight can attest that I’m far less frazzled by the time he’s home from work each day, and this is only the start of week 3!

After another failed nap attempt today, DJ and I had some fun playtime before dinner.  Then, during my dinner prep, I gave him the option of playing with a pile of little people toys in the kitchen or just 1 pan (he normally has the floor covered in pots & pans).  He went for the 1 pan, and proceeded to “cook” and stir various items, toys, spoons… etc : )  Eventually his stirring the pot became “pounding a drum” at which point I said, “Hey!  Fun or other room?”  To my delight, he put the spoon down, and went back to stirring.  He picked up his drumming 2 other times, but quickly decided to be “Fun” when asked.

I’m so proud of him, and so blessed that in one of the most trying times of long afternoons and sleepy “episodes” I have new tools in my pocket to communicate boundaries and what “Fun” looks like.  It’s all God’s grace that I’m able to get work done and still feel productive, in spite of no real baby “break” in my day.  What a wonderful reminder of how God provides and equips us  with what we need, when we needed.  I’ll keep praying for naps to come back too