Winkie has outgrown naps now. But he still manages to get tired by early evening. The mere suggestion of a nap, even a short one, signals the onset of a verbal tussle between us. So, I have given up the mention of naps. And replaced that with quiet time instead. Pick a book, lie on the couch and read to yourself
Quiet time is not nap time, I tell him. Its a way to unwind after a morning of work filled hours at school. It is a keeping of silence to soothe the nerves. Its a way to teach him the joy and need of some down time for the system. And more than anything else, its also a way for me to focus on Thambi's lunch (he has it right after we get back from school) without worrying that Winkie is left to himself.
So quiet time is now an established routine in his life. Sometimes he asks me to suggest a book for him. Sometimes, he picks it himself. These days its either Two Frogs in Trouble or Amar Chithra Katha's version of Krishna and Narakasura. He will lay there all propped up on 2 cushions and thumb through the pages of the book, from time to time asking me why a character did this or say that. Sometimes, he is very quiet and in his own world. Sometimes, I peep in on him and check how the quiet time is going. And sometimes, I get so wrapped up in Thambi's lunch that I forget he's there. Sometimes, he pipes up every 5 minutes to ask me when quiet time gets over, and if its that time yet. And sometimes, just sometimes, he falls asleep.
In that relaxed state of quiet, his body's natural rhythms take over and he nods off into his own winkie world. Just like today...
Monday, April 07, 2008
Quiet time...
We have something called Quiet Time in our house.
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14 comments:
Lovely. I loved that photo as well!
I do that with KB too - even though he takes aftn naps - after we play/go out etc in the eve and after I make KG go to bed for the night...I cook and I tell KB to sit in the couch by himself - basically not come and ask me or talk to me for a few minutes - and read a book or play "connect" toy...he somehow seems to get that and goes away for some 10 or 15 min doing something on his own...sometimes he picks up my cell phone and has conversations with some imaginary person (from the people he knows but imagines they are on the other end) and talks to them and laughs and listens and what not...evey now and then I hide behind the wall and observe him for a min or so to enjoy what he is doing...I really should consciously keep this going like you have...great idea I think.
So sweet...imagining him talking and laughing on the phone! And yes, pls. stick on to this interlude time. We need it.
Tharini, yep, i read Phyllis Krystal. Another big fav of mine. I first read Saibaba, the Ultimate Experience. She helped me with the death/passing rites of a friend who died in a car accident.
She also wrote this series called 'Cutting the Ties that Bind'. You will love the Figure 8 meditation she describes in that series.These 'ties' books have a lot about how tv, movies, excess food, lack of family values etc affect families and how one can choose to break out of them.
Another lady called Joy Thomas wrote 'Life is a...' series. Those are awesome too. Mrs.Krystal-Thomas-Bruce' books are equivalent to divine trinity for me. They helped me a lot.
I love Swami. I'm Sandhya,from Minneapolis. Your kids are beautiful.
Hey, I like that concept of Quiet time with no force to sleep. Right now both the kids at home, pick a book, sometimes 2 or even 3 and beckon us to follow them to the bedroom. 2 readings end-to-end and then they just stir around and phisssh ..sleeping sound.
what a lovely idea Tharini. HOw come I never thought of it when I can see speacially on weekends how the 2Bs get extremely tired by afternoon yet refuse to take a nap - next time on, its going to be 'quiet time' at our home too !
hey this seems like a great idea, only recently my little one seems to have outgrown naps only to be totally pooped out two hours before bedtime.. let her sleep then and she wakes up when we are ready to hit the sack, force her to stay up and in a couple of hours she's far too worked up and tired to unwind..aarggh its a NIGHTMARE both ways :S
let me try this out with her today!
ooh, neat trick! well done!
Lovely lovely picture, reminds me once again WHY we have babies !
Aaaaah, what a cute picture! He looks so blissful.
I think your "quiet time" is a very nice idea. Though he might not understand the meaning of unwinding right now, it's great to get him into the habit of doing it.
Loved the picture. I wonder how you mange to take photos at just the right moment. Quiet time is a great idea. I wouldn't be wrong if I said that your writing skills are so wonderful, that they made me start blogging and now I'm so happy that I did it.
Hi Sandhya...thanks for writing back. I've heard of those books, but couldn't find the 'ties that bind' in my library. Btw, you should check out t hese audio files:
http://www.sathyasaicenters.org/saifamily/2006_05_25_Phyllis_Krystal.htm
Email me if ever you feel like it. We can continue the dialogue.
Sunita : both the kids?? :) I think its the no force part that helps the most here.
2BM : Poor 2B's. They're not going to know what hit them! :)
MayG : How'd it go? :)
DG : *taking a bow* thank you!
Poppins : Oh good. Cos you're having one very soon! :D
Vijaya : Exactly. That was one of the big ideas in all of this.
Aditi's Album : Do you have a nick? :) Sometimes, I just get lucky during those moments. And having an SLR helps too. And *blush*...thanks for the compliment. Btw, you have a cool favicon!
I am liking this quite time idea, especially since my young chap is starting to resist his naps...
Loved the photo... Kids look so different when they sleep, than while they are awake. So peaceful and carefree in their carefree days. I like taking pictures of sleeping baby and brat. The story behind the photo is as endearing as the photo itself. Great read!
funny though.. the brat has finally begun to agree to naps. he comes home really tired and agrees to lie down peacefully.. .
but cool idea and i love the picture!
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