Making the Most of Nap Time

By Cassie Monroe, Lifestyle & Routine Editor | Daily Life Column | Childcare Standards Council

Nap time. Those magical, fleeting pockets of peace in a parent’s day. Whether it’s a newborn curled up in a Moses basket or a toddler finally giving in to sleep after a playground marathon, nap time can feel like a breath of fresh air or a race against the clock.

If you’ve ever found yourself frozen between a pile of laundry, an untouched cuppa, and a scrolling session that somehow swallowed the whole nap, you’re not alone. We've all been there torn between being productive, resting ourselves, or simply doing nothing at all.

But nap time doesn’t have to be perfect. And it certainly doesn’t need to be all hustle or all rest. With a little intention (and a healthy dose of flexibility), you can make the most of it whatever that looks like for you.

Here are some realistic, feel good ways to use nap time to support your day, your home, and your sanity.

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1. Check in with Yourself First

Before diving into a to do list or household tasks, take a moment to check in.

Ask yourself:

• What do I really need right now?

• Am I tired, overstimulated, hungry, or feeling isolated?

• Would I feel better after 10 minutes of rest, a walk around the garden, or tidying one small area?

  
  

This little pause helps you use nap time with purpose not pressure. Some days you’ll need rest. Other days, you’ll feel like tackling the world. Honour where you're at.

2. Ditch the Guilt (Whatever You Choose)

Let’s be clear: there’s no “right” way to use nap time. Whether you use it to fold laundry or binge a few episodes of your favourite show, you’re not wasting time you’re spending it.

Try not to fall into the trap of believing you always have to be productive during nap time to earn rest. Parenting is already work. Resting during naps? That’s recovery, not laziness.

And if you do power through a few chores? That’s brilliant too no guilt needed either way.

3. Tidy One Thing, Not Everything

Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? Use nap time to tackle just one area a drawer, a shelf, or the kitchen sides. Small wins lead to a calmer space, and you won’t burn yourself out trying to do it all.

Try setting a 10 minute timer. You’ll be surprised how much you can do in a short burst, and stopping the moment the timer rings keeps things manageable.

Bonus: tidying even one thing often helps reduce that background mental clutter we carry all day long.

4. Prep Something That Helps ‘Later You’

If you’ve got a bit of energy, nap time can be great for setting yourself up for an easier afternoon or tomorrow morning.

Ideas include:

• Prepping dinner ingredients

• Laying out school uniforms or baby’s clothes

• Putting on a load of washing

• Pre packing snacks for nursery runs or outings

  
  

These aren’t glamorous tasks, but they do make later life smoother. And when things run easier later, you’re grateful you spent five minutes now.

5. Rest Without “Shoulds”

It’s OK to nap when your child naps. Let’s say that again: it’s OK to nap when your child naps.

Some of us have absorbed the idea that unless we’re ticking off tasks during nap time, we’re wasting it. But sometimes, the best use of this time is to lie down, shut your eyes, and give your body the rest it’s been asking for.

Even a 15 minute lie down or a quiet sit with a book can do wonders for your energy and mood.

6. Pick One Joyful Thing Just for You

Nap time is the perfect moment for a pocket of “you” time. Not errands. Not chores. Just you.

What brings you joy or calm? A few ideas:

• A hot drink (you might even finish it!)

• Listening to a podcast or audiobook

• Painting your nails

• Journalling or doodling

• Reading a chapter of a book

• Doing a few yoga stretches

  
  

These moments may be small, but they’re powerful reminders that you matter too.

7. Start (or Maintain) a Hobby in Mini Moments

If you miss creative time or personal interests, nap time is a good opportunity to dip your toes back in. You don’t need hours just a few minutes a few times a week adds up.

Try:

• A jigsaw puzzle or crosswords

• Sketching, knitting, or crochet

• Writing a short journal entry

• Tinkering in the garden

• Learning something new on YouTube

  
  

Think of it as nurturing your own identity beyond parenting in the most gentle, doable way.

8. Avoid the Scroll Spiral (Unless It Feels Good!)

Sometimes a scroll through social media is exactly the switch off your brain needs. But other times, it can make you feel worse especially if you’re comparing yourself to polished parenting accounts.

Be intentional: if you want to scroll, do it with joy. If it starts to feel draining, swap it for something that uplifts you music, a phone call with a friend, or even a cup of tea in the sunshine.

9. Create a Nap Time Rhythm (Not a Schedule)

Instead of rigid plans, try building a loose rhythm a general guide to how you use nap times over the week. It could look something like this:

• Monday: prep meals + quick clean

• Tuesday: rest + podcast

• Wednesday: hobby time

• Thursday: tidy drawer + relax

• Friday: admin or catch up on messages

  
  

This helps you feel more purposeful, while still being flexible when naps go shorter (or vanish altogether).

10. On Tough Days, Let Nap Time Be a Reset

Some days are just hard. The morning was chaos. Everyone was grumpy. You’ve reheated your tea three times.

Use nap time as a gentle reset. Put on soft music. Light a candle. Open a window. Take three slow breaths. It doesn’t change the day but it softens it.

Even just being still for five minutes can remind you: you’ve got this. You’re doing beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Nap time isn’t just about what gets done it’s about how it helps you feel. Whether you’re catching up on chores, getting a bit of rest, or reclaiming a tiny sliver of your identity, this quiet space in the day is more powerful than it seems.

So the next time your little one dozes off, take a moment. Breathe. Ask yourself what you need and trust that whatever you choose to do with nap time is the right choice for that day.