What do you do when you need quiet time ???

[LemonAda376]

My son is 3 and he's such an early riser. He's also been waking 2-3 times during the night so my sleep is so broken.

He doesn't nap anymore during the day and I get zero quiet time. Today I am practically falling asleep on my feet and need to close my eyes but I can't do it!

If I close my eyes for 2 minutes he's jumping on me or shouting for me or doing something dangerous like throwing balls at the tv.

I've told him it's quiet time and put in a movie for him or his iPad but he just wants to narrate what's going on to me.

I'm physically and mentally exhausted! This is a daily occurrence.
I go to my bed when he goes to his most night just to try and get a long stretch of sleep.

Any tips ?

[Bumble84]

If you find the answer out let me know! I go to work 3 days a week for alone time…the other four days I slowly lose my mind!

[Singleandproud]

Build it in to your routine.

2pm I'd put the Barney Dvd on and DD would lay next to me and watch it while I dozed before getting dinner ready. Even if she didn't want to nap she was ready for some quiet time.

I also trained her for reading time slowly making the time she spent independently looking at her books whilst I read mine longer. I'd make us both a drink with a couple of biscuits and read to her whilst she drank hers and then she would sit on the floor with her books and a couple of other quiet toys and entertain herself whilst I drank my tea and read a chapter. Weve kept this routine and will often now sit in the living room with a tea and couple of biscuits on a Sunday afternoon both reading and she's well into her teens now.

[Singleandproud]

Also carve moments of adult time throughout the day so listen to a comedy podcast or similar, BBC sounds is great for this, listen to your own music. Feeling like your day isn't just a tot fest makes everything a bit easier as does hearing other adults waffling in the background even if on a podcast/radio show.

[Twosugarsandmilk]

@Singleandproud what a lovely idea. I hope to do the same with my dd one day.

[GreenTurtle75]

Do you have any family or friends nearby who could take your little one to give you a break? Or can you carve out an hour for yourself after little one has gone to bed? I usually don’t get much time to myself as I’m constantly working, cleaning, parenting or cooking. It’s madness. So I’ve scheduled in (literally into my diary as otherwise it won’t happen) a bath one night a week. An hour just to myself where I can soak, light a candle, read a book and relax.