Let’s talk about nap time.
You know that moment when your little one finally goes down and you’re standing there like…now what? Part of you wants to collapse on the couch, part of you sees that pile of dishes, and another part remembers you haven’t had five minutes to yourself since… when exactly?
As moms who’ve transitioned from careers to staying home, we sometimes forget that we’re still whole people with our own needs. We’re so focused on taking care of everyone else that we put ourselves last on the list, if we make it on there at all.
So here are 7 realistic ways I’ve learned to actually take care of myself during those precious nap time moments. no fancy spa treatments or Instagram-perfect setups needed.
1. Take a Real Shower
This one is pretty obvious. But seriously, a real shower where you’re present instead of rushing. Use the good soap, maybe even that hair mask that’s been sitting there for months. Even 10 minutes of warm water and zero demands on your body can feel restorative. Keep the door cracked if you need to listen for little sounds, but give yourself permission to actually enjoy those few minutes.
2. Read Something That’s NOT About Parenting
Remember when you used to read for pleasure? Yeah, me too. Even if it’s just a few pages of that novel you’ve been meaning to finish, or scrolling through actual news instead of just mom blogs. Your brain needs food that isn’t toddler-shaped, and it’s okay to think about things beyond nap schedules and developmental milestones.
3. Move Your Body (Just a Little)
Not talking about a full workout here. Maybe it’s stretching on the living room floor, doing some yoga from YouTube, or even just dancing to one song in the kitchen. Your body has been carrying, lifting, and holding all day, give it some love back. Even five minutes of movement can shift your entire mood.
4. Write It Out
Keep a little notebook for these moments. Write about what you’re feeling, what you’re proud of, or what’s been weighing on you. Sometimes I write letters to my daughter about the things I want her to know. Sometimes I just brain dump all the thoughts swirling around. There’s something about putting pen to paper that feels grounding when everything else feels chaotic.
5. Connect With Your Person
Text that friend who really gets it. Maybe another mom who understands the weird adjustment of leaving your career, or just someone who knew you before you became “so-and-so’s mom.” Not the “how are you?” texts, but the real stuff. “I felt overwhelmed today but also grateful and it’s confusing.” Those connections that actually fill you up instead of draining you.
6. Have a Proper Hot Drink
Make yourself something warm and actually drink it while it’s still hot. Sit down with it. Look out the window. Don’t scroll your phone or plan dinner while you’re drinking it. Just be present with that warmth and quiet for a few minutes. It’s such a small thing, but it can feel like a reset button.
7. Do One Thing Just for Future You
This could be meal prepping that snack you actually like, ordering those vitamins you keep forgetting about, or even just putting on real pants so you feel more like yourself when naptime ends. It’s not about productivity, it’s about taking care of the woman you are, not just the mom you’ve become.
Here’s what I’ve learned: self-care as a stay-at-home mom isn’t just bubble baths and face masks (though those are nice too). It’s about staying connected to who you are while you’re figuring out who you’re becoming in this new role.
Some days, self-care is calling an old friend from your previous life. Other days, it’s researching local mom groups or finally booking that dentist appointment. Sometimes it’s just sitting in silence and remembering that you’re doing something incredible, raising a tiny human while somehow keeping everyone fed and loved in the process.
The transition from career woman to stay-at-home mom is huge, and it’s okay to grieve parts of your old life while embracing this new chapter. You’re not just surviving this transition, you’re creating something beautiful. Your daughter is going to grow up watching a woman who takes care of herself, too. That’s not small work.
What’s your go-to nap time reset? I’d love to hear how you’re taking care of yourself in this season. Drop a comment below. Sometimes we all need to hear we’re not alone in this beautiful, messy motherhood journey.
With love,
Vanesa
P.S. – If nap time only lasted 20 minutes today and you spent it putting away toys, that counts too. Some days survival is self-care, and that’s perfectly okay.
