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Westernport, M.D. ~ MoPs

Mops westernport


Last Updated: 11/22/2009

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Gender: Female
Status: In a Relationship
Age: 19
Sign: Capricorn

City: Every Tuesday 10-12 Westernport
State: Maryland
Country: US
Signup Date: 10/11/2007
Friday, January 30, 2009 

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The Nap Box
Rebekah D. Schneiter
My world shattered when my oldest began dropping his nap. Complete panic! Where was my rest for the weary? Not only did I want my own downtime, but my younger child needed quiet to sleep, proving difficult to attain in our small home. Other mothers tried to help, describing how their preschoolers still had quiet time in their bedrooms, not an option since my boys share.
First I tried having my oldest lay down in my room, but this was too fun for my curious explorer. Inevitably I’d have to enter the room, reorganize strew underwear, put back jewelry and re-hang family photos. This new resting place provided many no-no’s and was not achieving quiet.
I didn’t want to resort to movies, but I felt at a loss. After three months of failed solutions I came up with The Nap Box, filled with items that my oldest son would find intriguing and captivating. I immediately rushed to the store, purchased a plastic tub and stocked it with inexpensive items: crayons, a coloring book, play dough, sand, a dinosaur and a plastic Spiderman! All day I built up the anticipation for the exciting box that my preschooler would get to open once little brother was asleep.
Nap time came and so did the box with items only for my oldest. Once my other child awoke, this special box had to return to mommy’s hiding place. (This is crucial. If your child can access this box at any time the wonder of it will be destroyed.)
It’s working. I place the box on the kitchen table. My son plays as I check email, get work done and drink a cup of hot tea. I rotate items in this box to keep the interest, sometimes sticking in a special snack or book to read later. I love The Nap Box and so does my son. It's good to find working solutions that are simple and easy. This is one of them!
Other Suggestions for your Nap Box:


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Match-box cars
Stickers
Small album with family pictures
Stamps and paper
Scissors and magazines
Age appropriate puzzles
Post-it Notes


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Music CD’s
Book on CD
Yarn and Fruit Loops
Tape
Juice box
Fruit snacks
Small blocks


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Rebekah is a humor columnist for the Newberg Graphic and is a member of the MOPS group in Newberg, Oregon. She has two boys, ages three and one and half.
6:14 PM
 
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Charity
Charity Saweikis

 
what a great idea! If only I knew of this when my kids were younger :)

 
Posted by Charity on Friday, June 19, 2009 - 6:25 PM
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