To say I’m not using Nap Time to do housework?

[QueenofmyPrinces]

I have a 4 year old and a 10 month old and currently on Maternity Leave.

For three days a week my 4 year old is in childcare all day so I only have both children at home two days a week. On those two days trying to do any form of housework beyond washing up and sorting out laundry is near impossible.

My 10 month old is good with his naps, sleeping an hour in the morning and then 1.5 hours in the afternoon.

During this time I probably should do some of the housework that can’t be done when he’s awake like cleaning the kitchen floors, cleaning the bathrooms, cleaning windows, polishing etc etc but I have no inclination to do so.

I’m usually knackered from a bad night with the baby and I see Nap Time as my only down time. I also use it to pursue my own interest which is writing.

There are lots of things that need doing around the house that I could do whilst my 10 month sleeps but then when would I have me time?

I’m actually considering getting a cleaner even on Maternity Leave which must be lazy of me? I don’t know?

How does everyone else balance doing housework and having down time?

Totally up to you but you mentioned two naps. I used to use the morning nap to get stuff done and then indulge myself in the afternoon nap knowing everything is done when the morning nap dropped I'd run around for an hour in the afternoon and have an hour to myself. Seemed a good compromise.

I agree with the majority. You can clean when the kids are in bed later/grown up(!). Rest, relax, write. I think it sets a good example.

nothing wrong with getting a cleaner..... nap time is defantly 4 doing things you want lool your entitled to a brak 2

Cleaner all the way!

IMO you should (sorry) throw out all instances of the word "should" because it's usually totally meaningless.

The facts - housework needs doing, yes, at some point by somebody. As one of the adults in the household, it is partially your responsibility.

Some jobs can't be done with a loose toddler/baby around. So therefore it's only practical (safe) to do the jobs when the baby is sleeping, otherwise occupied and so on.

But that's not only naptime - you also presumably have time when there are two adults in the house so one can occupy the baby, time when the baby has gone to bed, time when the baby will sit in some kind of baby containment device like a playpen, jumperoo, highchair etc (if you're lucky, or put the work into acclimatising them to this).

You also need downtime. So somebody insisting that the jobs "should" be done during naptime is talking bollocks - there is plenty of time for jobs to be spread out to. It's up to you to work out what distribution of time is the most practical and effective for you.

Oh yes or the other option is to hire somebody to come and do it for you fabulous plan! If you can afford it and you find it a useful allocation of resources then absolutely why not.

Like you said, if you don’t pursue your Intrests when the baby sleeps then when are you supposed to do it.
Get the cleaner.

I really struggle with this as I feel guilty not working the whole time dp is at work.

However I currently have HG and literally can’t do anything as every time I move I vomit and the nausea and dizziness is completely overwhelming. House is disgusting

Before I was ill I would empty and reload dishwasher, make beds, put a load of washing on etc before the school run. Then morning was dedicated to the toddler, going to groups or an activity at home. Home for lunch then nap time for her. I’d then do one weekly job (eg dusting, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms) and one other job (paperwork, sorting a cupboard, deep cleaning a room, going through the dc clothes etc). Sometimes this would be just half an hour, sometimes the full 2 hours. Depending entirely on how much downtime I wanted.

Our house is huge and a work in progress though so it was never immaculate even doing this.

When dd2 was younger she would only sleep in moving pram so I used to have to spend the entire time walking.

I meant to say that if you’re up in the night then you definitely need time to relax in the day!

Yanbu. My 23 month whirlwind wrecks everything in her path so naptime of about an hour is my downtime for a warm coffee and Internet time.

Afternoon nap time is soon approaching...

I’ve hung out all the wet washing from this morning, I’ve put another load on, I’ve picked up any fluff and stuff off the carpet and I’ve washed up.

I think that justifies me not doing much for 1.5 hours whilst he sleeps then

I would do some jobs in the morning and then use the afternoon nap as ‘me’ time.