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Original poster

Anyone found the solution to car naps?

51 replies

F1nit0 · 26/07/2023 15:29

Just hoping someone found a solution to keep their DC awake in the car or a way of getting them out and putting them back to sleep?
Basically DS 9 months had a 10 minute car nap and has since refused to nap all afternoon. I'm not going to let him nap now because bedtime will be midnight. So I'm in for a few shouty whiney hours until I can put him to bed early at 6. But what's worrying me is I'm back at work next week. I finish at 6pm and will have to go and pick him up from my parents. It's likely I'll get home around 7:30-8. I just now he's going to treat the 40 min car journey as a nap and then be awake for another 3 hours. When I have work the next day it's going to be exhausting. Any ideas?

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mumofboys8787 · 26/07/2023 21:08

Eachpeachpears · 26/07/2023 16:02

Not the point of the thread but I'll never understand the idea of placing work so highly that you literally won't get to spend any time with your child on a work day. You don't say how many times a week this will happen but this isn't a permanent solution and be prepared for it to impact you greatly. Look at shortening your working day if you can

Oh you have got to be kidding me with this

USaYwHatNow · 26/07/2023 21:12

I'll be following this with interest, please do update if you find a solution! I'm going back to work soon and I'll be working condensed hours (8am-6pm over 4 days) as a non clinical Midwife. Luckily LO has a space at the on site nursery so he'll be travelling to and from work and nursery with me, but I'm also wondering how it'll affect his sleep, as its a 45 minute journey home.

And please ignore the judgmental comment. Like you rightly said, some of us need to work to put a roof over our kids' heads, and if women just stopped entering the workforce after having kids, then the world would stop fucking turning. I 100% wish I didn't have to go back to work, but needs must!

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 26/07/2023 21:17

They need to have a good nap just the right amount of time before going on the car so they stay awake in car!

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Original poster
F1nit0 · 26/07/2023 21:53

USaYwHatNow · 26/07/2023 21:12

I'll be following this with interest, please do update if you find a solution! I'm going back to work soon and I'll be working condensed hours (8am-6pm over 4 days) as a non clinical Midwife. Luckily LO has a space at the on site nursery so he'll be travelling to and from work and nursery with me, but I'm also wondering how it'll affect his sleep, as its a 45 minute journey home.

And please ignore the judgmental comment. Like you rightly said, some of us need to work to put a roof over our kids' heads, and if women just stopped entering the workforce after having kids, then the world would stop fucking turning. I 100% wish I didn't have to go back to work, but needs must!

Thank you! The judgement on women and mothers is just insane. If I made a post about being a sahm I would be shot down as well so we can't win.

I will update, I'm back Monday so I'll be trying a few of these suggestions out.

Good luck with going back to work.

OP posts:
BatheInTheLight · 26/07/2023 22:00

The danger nap as I call it.

I used to find lollipops worked well to keep mine awake. The flat non chokey ones of course.

Marylou62 · 03/08/2023 13:37

I've just been discussing it with my DD again..
She's suggested that I bring him home to her's just before tea time.. he'll sleep late afternoon in the car and then I can leave as soon as one of them gets home..via the supermarket so it's not a 'wasted' journey..
Also (I've been working in childcare most of my career) that few hours late afternoon is hard.. everyone is sleepy and grumpy, so actually getting out and driving will give me a break...but I'm aware I only have a 25 min journey...

Original poster
F1nit0 · 03/08/2023 17:08

Marylou62 · 03/08/2023 13:37

I've just been discussing it with my DD again..
She's suggested that I bring him home to her's just before tea time.. he'll sleep late afternoon in the car and then I can leave as soon as one of them gets home..via the supermarket so it's not a 'wasted' journey..
Also (I've been working in childcare most of my career) that few hours late afternoon is hard.. everyone is sleepy and grumpy, so actually getting out and driving will give me a break...but I'm aware I only have a 25 min journey...

That actually sounds like a great idea. Those few tired hours in the afternoon are the hardest.
We picked him up Monday and he didn't sleep until gone 9. But he did sleep through the night (he doesn't usually) so not all bad 😊

OP posts:
Marylou62 · 03/08/2023 17:32

F1nit0 · 03/08/2023 17:08

That actually sounds like a great idea. Those few tired hours in the afternoon are the hardest.
We picked him up Monday and he didn't sleep until gone 9. But he did sleep through the night (he doesn't usually) so not all bad 😊

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How long did he sleep for?

HedgesNotFences · 03/08/2023 17:35

Just go with the flow OP. I had twins then another child 18 months later. It wasn’t possible to have rigid nap times, especially when my 4th was born and there were toddler groups etc to fit in. Let them nap in the car and then adjust bedtimes or meal times as needed.

Cluelessfirstimer · 03/08/2023 19:47

Eachpeachpears · 26/07/2023 16:02

Not the point of the thread but I'll never understand the idea of placing work so highly that you literally won't get to spend any time with your child on a work day. You don't say how many times a week this will happen but this isn't a permanent solution and be prepared for it to impact you greatly. Look at shortening your working day if you can

I just don't understand why you would write this. Starving and being homeless are mostly why my 13 month old has to go to childcare 4 days a week. Since 8 months old. I would really much prefer he spent his days with me. 100%. Cried for the first 3 months he was in childcare.

We don't have a fancy home nor go on holiday 25 times a year and when our mortgage goes up next month I doubt we will have much of any free cash.

LACK.OF.CHOICE. for most people

It's really not helpful to post things like this on someone's post. OP is literally asking for car nap advice for fuck sake.

OP - youtube, radio or singing. I feel you - my DS still treats a 10 minute car nap like he's just had a 3 hr sleep. As soon as he is removed from the car seat he's zooming around the living room and that's me screwed for 3 hrs minimum ! Hope you manage to crack it

Original poster
F1nit0 · 03/08/2023 20:46

Cluelessfirstimer · 03/08/2023 19:47

I just don't understand why you would write this. Starving and being homeless are mostly why my 13 month old has to go to childcare 4 days a week. Since 8 months old. I would really much prefer he spent his days with me. 100%. Cried for the first 3 months he was in childcare.

We don't have a fancy home nor go on holiday 25 times a year and when our mortgage goes up next month I doubt we will have much of any free cash.

LACK.OF.CHOICE. for most people

It's really not helpful to post things like this on someone's post. OP is literally asking for car nap advice for fuck sake.

OP - youtube, radio or singing. I feel you - my DS still treats a 10 minute car nap like he's just had a 3 hr sleep. As soon as he is removed from the car seat he's zooming around the living room and that's me screwed for 3 hrs minimum ! Hope you manage to crack it

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Thank you for your kind post and useful suggestions.

It honestly baffles me that someone would see my post and think I must shame this mother for returning to work. I already hate I have to go back after just 9 months and of course I'd love to stay off with him but I have no choice.

OP posts:
Original poster
F1nit0 · 03/08/2023 20:49

Marylou62 · 03/08/2023 17:32

How long did he sleep for?

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So we went with your suggestion actually and my parents gave him a late nap 4:30-5. He still fell asleep in the car, only for 10 minutes but he then didn't sleep until 9.
But he slept through to 7 which is unheard of!

We might give the late nap another go though but use YouTube as well.

OP posts:
UndercoverCop · 03/08/2023 20:52

If he goes to bed at seven I'd have a cup of tea with your parents, they'll want to catch up with you anyway, get him ready for bed there then put him in the car, let him sleep then transfer at home. We used to have a 4-6 no car window for a while!

Original poster
F1nit0 · 03/08/2023 20:54

UndercoverCop · 03/08/2023 20:52

If he goes to bed at seven I'd have a cup of tea with your parents, they'll want to catch up with you anyway, get him ready for bed there then put him in the car, let him sleep then transfer at home. We used to have a 4-6 no car window for a while!

Hmm actually that could be a shout! Wonder if they'd make me dinner 🤔

OP posts:
UndercoverCop · 03/08/2023 20:57

@F1nit0 I have definitely had more than the odd dinner in similar circumstances 😁

Isthisexpected · 03/08/2023 20:59

Not the point of the thread but a 10 month old doesn't need you tube whilst you wash bottles!

areyouhavinglaugh · 03/08/2023 21:08

Haribo a small packet unopened
Believe me they will stay awake trying to open it.. they eat them and have a nice little sugar rush and 👀 till you get home.

Marylou62 · 03/08/2023 21:09

F1nit0 · 03/08/2023 20:54

Hmm actually that could be a shout! Wonder if they'd make me dinner 🤔

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Hahahaha.. even when my DD is not working, just visiting she sometimes stays for dinner.. I get to bath my delicious grandson and put his jamas on.. extra cuddles for me!

Original poster
F1nit0 · 03/08/2023 21:15

Marylou62 · 03/08/2023 21:09

Hahahaha.. even when my DD is not working, just visiting she sometimes stays for dinner.. I get to bath my delicious grandson and put his jamas on.. extra cuddles for me!

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I love this. You sound so much like my parents, they just adore my son.
It makes going to work so much easier knowing he's with them and getting spoilt with love all day. I know your daughter will feel the same.

OP posts:
Tryingtohelp12 · 03/08/2023 21:18

bith of mine seemed to learn to sleep on the go and be transferred and stay asleep when they started with their childminder. Obviously she looks after multiple children so can’t hang around or cancel an activity because one child is asleep. So maybe just keep the routine as normal and they will just get used to it. In someways it would be better than starting the whole bed time routine at 7.30 when you get home. Best of luck. It’s a hard transition

AnnaKorine · 03/08/2023 21:19

I always found the daytime nap v night sleep totally different ballgames. Agreed a short car nap would wipe out a proper nap but I would aim to have DC ready for bed at the time you set off, let them sleep in the car and a quick bedtime bottle and down for bed. When they get older you might find this more of an issue but at 9MO you should be good for a while.

TarquinOliverNimrod · 03/08/2023 21:20

Isthisexpected · 03/08/2023 20:59

Not the point of the thread but a 10 month old doesn't need you tube whilst you wash bottles!

You’re right, it’s not the point of the thread.

In the bin with you and the other goon upthread who suggested giving up work.

Absolute tools the pair of you.

Marylou62 · 04/08/2023 09:21

TarquinOliverNimrod · 03/08/2023 21:20

You’re right, it’s not the point of the thread.

In the bin with you and the other goon upthread who suggested giving up work.

Absolute tools the pair of you.

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Thank you Tarquin.. you saved me from trying to find the words ❤️

Marylou62 · 04/08/2023 09:26

F1nit0 · 03/08/2023 21:15

I love this. You sound so much like my parents, they just adore my son.
It makes going to work so much easier knowing he's with them and getting spoilt with love all day. I know your daughter will feel the same.

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Thank you...
I feel privileged to have a grandchild and will do anything for them..but admit I'm absolutely shattered as I work 7-7 Monday Tuesday and Wednesday... I'm doing nothing today!

iwasthewalrus · 04/08/2023 17:37

When I visit family I stay for dinner, bath the children and then leave at their usual bedtime. They tend to fall asleep pretty quickly and then when I get home I put them straight to bed. You can get sleeping bags which can be used with a car seat which make the process a bit easier.