I remember wanting a third child, but refused to entertain the idea until my son learned to sleep through the night. A few years before, like many new parents, I read about Dr. Ferber’s sleep method and found myself cowering in the garage, trying not to hear my daughter cry as she learned to fall asleep on her own. Those were torturous times—yet somehow, I did go on to have a third child. Today, the sleepless nights are a blur.

One vivid memory stands out: standing in the driveway, my two older children circling on their bikes, rocking my infant in her stroller. I remember feeling as though I was drugged—desperate to curl up anywhere, even on the lawn. I probably should not have been in charge of children at that moment. Sleep deprivation is real, and every parent knows what it’s like.

It’s no wonder that naps have become a recurring theme in my life—and in my writing. The early years of parenting are a masterclass in survival. Somehow, you’re expected to function on minimal sleep: showing up to work, putting on a smile, singing lullabies, packing lunches, and keeping the household running—all while running on empty.

People say, “sleep when the baby sleeps,” but that advice doesn’t always fit real life—especially when there are jobs to get to, older kids to care for, or a mountain of laundry that refuses to shrink. The exhaustion is real, and it deserves to be acknowledged. If you’re in the thick of it now, you’re not alone. That’s part of why I wrote my children’s book, The Napping Tent, and why I believe so deeply in the power of rest—for children and for their exhausted parents.

If you find yourself running on caffeine and instinct, know that you are not alone—and you are not failing. Parenting through exhaustion is an act of love and resilience. Sometimes it’s okay to let the dishes pile up or the laundry wait if it means catching five minutes of quiet. Give yourself permission to do what you need to survive those early years.

You’re not alone…

I’ll never forget leaving one of my daughters (she knows who she is!) watching Sesame Street while I dashed off to start a load of laundry. Minutes later, I returned to find her standing on the kitchen counter, gently dropping glasses onto the floor. In that sleep-deprived moment, I had to choose between grabbing my shoes or wading through glass to rescue her. Clearly, I wasn’t thinking straight; exhaustion will do that to you. I didn’t know then that it’s smart to use rest time to rest, but I do now. Retrospect can be much clearer than when you are in the moment. Like so many parents, I used nap time to catch up on, well, everything except rest.

The Gift of Rest…

That’s why the idea of napping, whether for your child or for yourself, feels so precious. It’s not just about sleep; it’s about small moments of peace in a whirlwind season. If you’re in the thick of it, remember it won’t last forever, and you’re doing far better than you think. However you manage, be kind to yourself and know that sometimes, rest is the most important thing you can give your family and yourself.

Do you have a favorite napping story or a tired-parent moment to share? I’d love to hear it in the comments below. Here’s to finding rest—one nap, one deep breath, one moment at a time.

If you’d like to share The Napping Tent with your friends and family, you can find it here.