7 Things to do before nap time to get the most out of it

We all love our kids, but we also love the quiet that is to be had when they are sleeping, at least I know I do!

Nap time or bedtime can’t come fast enough some days, but if you find yourself running in circles trying to accomplish too many things during this precious time; you may benefit from prepping before nap time so you can get the most out of those few hours, instead of running yourself dry.

When your to-do list is too long and your mind is being dragged in six different directions, you may end up not completing the important tasks that need done. This strategy may result in starting a lot of projects but not completing them all.

It may sound silly, but doing these simple tasks before your kids drift off to sleep can save you a lot of time and energy; when all you want to be doing is relaxing or focusing on something important.

I know how hard it is for moms not to relax until everything is checked off their list, so these things will help you have some quiet time without compromising your to-do list (and actually completing it).

This post may contain affiliate links. While it’s at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission. Please see my disclaimer for more details.

Table of Contents

Check these off your list before nap time (and save yourself some time)

1- Organize your day

Having some structure to your day will not only help you accomplish the important things that need done, it will also allow you a more peaceful nap time.

This will allow you to organize what needs done before, during, and after nap time so you have a clear plan of action.

Pre prepare two lists:

One is an urgent to-do list and the other is a later on to-do list.

This will allow you to prioritize what needs done immediately when your kids wake up.

I make this list right before nap time so I can organize the rest of our day.

2-Know what you are going to do first

Having a ritual after you put your kids down for a nap will give you a sense of consistency, and a routine that you can count on each day.

I find this to be important because it helps me stay motivated and on track to accomplish what I need too.

Keep it simple; for instance you could have your lunch, check your emails, and then move on to a bigger project that needs finished. Maybe leave the last half hour open for some relaxation.

Whatever kind of routine works for you is the most important!

3- Prioritize tasks you can’t do with kids around

This seems obvious, but sometimes your to-do list can be so overwhelming that you don’t know where to start. There are some chores that are just downright frustrating to do with kids around.

Such as:

- Folding laundry, my toddler loves to knock over all my piles. I choose to do laundry during nap time instead so I can do it in some peace and quiet!
- Computer work, I can’t seem to work anywhere without my toddler wanting to press the buttons on my laptop. I like to use nap time for answering emails, working, and anything else I need to do on my laptop.
- The biggest takeaway from this is to prioritize the most important tasks that need to be done sans kids, while they are sleeping.

There are a lot of simple tasks you can do during nap time to feel productive without running yourself dry, while also enjoying some quiet.

4-Pickup the house

I used to not pickup the house until after my kids were sleeping, but I started doing it before and it has made all the difference.

Starting nap time with a clean house so you can focus on the important tasks you need to get done will make this precious time all that more productive.

All it takes is 15 minutes to do a quick sweep around the house to put everything back where it belongs. I focus on the high traffic areas such as the living room and kitchen.

If your kids are a little older, putting them in charge of their bedrooms or playroom will help you out and give them a clean slate before nap or quiet time.

5-Prepare Lunch

My kids usually go to sleep before I am ready to eat my lunch. Something that has saved me time is making my lunch while i’m picking up the kitchen before nap time.

This saves me the time of doing it while they are sleeping, and all I have to do is sit down and eat my lunch because it’s already made! Don’t forget to pour yourself a big glass of water too!

6-Have a plan of action

Have a plan for nap time. What are you looking to accomplish during these precious few hours? Computer work, organizing the closet, trying out a new recipe?

Whatever it may be, make sure you have a plan of action and try to stick to it. When you have too many tasks in mind you might not complete any of them and will find yourself disappointed and unaccomplished when the kids wake up.

7-Scout out a location

This goes along with having a plan of action. Have an idea of where you will be spending your time while your kids are asleep.

This may be especially important if you live in a small space. You don’t want to wake up the kids, so you will need to prioritize that into where you plan to spend your time.

Scout out a location where you can go and relax during nap time, such as a quiet room in your house or maybe even the couch. Plan out what you intend to do while the kids are asleep so you can take full advantage of nap time.
Wherever you spend your time, make sure it is clean. When you have limited time you don’t want to be spending it cleaning up, like I stated above. You want a clean space so you can accomplish important tasks or have some time to relax in peace.

Prepping before nap time can really make a big difference

This may seem like a silly concept to incorporate in your day because some days we are just trying to make it to nap time, let alone prepare for it.

I promise if you start doing a few of these simple tasks before your kids go to sleep in the afternoon, you will be able to enjoy some peace and quiet even more then you already do. And if you have more time to spare, these tips can help you get a lot of things done or give you more relaxation time!

What are some of your favorite ways to prepare for nap time? Let us know in the comments below.