You’re a stay at home parent, and your child is finally down for a nap. Now comes the panicky excitement like a game show you didn’t know you were on: What do you do with this alone time? Logic says to take a nap or eat something, but part of you wants to take a hot shower or eat a half gallon of ice cream. And if you’re like me, you spend the whole nap standing in the kitchen with an indecisive look on your face. Then, just like that, your kid wakes up. Damn! So quick, check out my list of what to do when your kid naps.

Some suggestions are useful, some are just enjoyable. Pick and choose what works for you, and be sure to add your own ideas in the comments!

And if you want to know what I do to stay sane in the pick-up lane, get my ideas for how I keep myself occupied in the car.

I do have a few affiliate links here. No upcharge for you to pay, just means that Amazon gives me a small percentage. Thank you so much!

child sleeping on a couch - Quick! my kid is napping. What should I do? What to Do When Your Kid Naps - Real Simple Mama

The first (and maybe most obvious) idea is to take a nap, too. I use my baby monitor and am sure to get up when my kid does. Or if naps tend to make you sleepy, set a definite alarm for 20-30 minutes and get up then. 

Next on the priority list? Eat! You need your strength. You can check out my snack ideas on Pinterest but aim for high protein to keep you sustained. And if you’re breastfeeding, one-handed snacks are the best! 

  • Almonds
  • Peanut butter
  • Protein shake
  • Greek yogurt
  • Trail mix
  • Fresh fruit
  • Chickpeas
  • Avocado
  • Veggies and hummus
  • Jerky
  • Cheese stick
  • Turkey breast
  • Applesauce
  • Cottage cheese

I wouldn’t survive without meal planning. I need to know what I’m eating, not only so that I can track it with Weight Watchers, but so I know what to get at the store and what to cook when. If you’d like to get started, here’s how I do family meal planning.

If you’d like my comparison on grocery delivery and curbside, check that out here.

And while it won’t take that long, you gotta keep up your water intake. I love this water cup because it’s durable, infuse-with-fruit-able, and has a time on it to remind you how much to drink. Get your 32 ounces in and fill it up again!

Last on our “essentials” suggestions for what to do when your kid naps: take a shower. I personally made myself take a shower almost every day, even if I didn’t get to actually wash my hair. I will warn you, too: my oldest kid is six years old now and I STILL think I hear a crying baby when I shower. I think this will stick with me for life.

Now let’s move on to other ideas for what to do when your kid naps. Hopefully these are a little more fun to read (and do)!

One of my favorite things to do is browse for new music. Whether you have Apple Music, Spotify, or something else, it’s so refreshing to find that new artist or favorite song. I also love looking for playlists on Pinterest and then previewing the songs on my apps.

Speaking of Pinterest, I could spend hours falling down the rabbit hole of recipes, makeup and hair ideas, holiday inspiration, and more on Pinterest. Most of my stuff will never look that great, but I have had some success! You can see all of my boards, from Harry Potter to book lists and workout routines, here.

It may not be the most fun you’ve had all day, but doing your Kegels is super important. It took me years to finally go see a pelvic floor therapist, and holy crap it was life changing. Seriously. You can read about my experience, and the app I use for my daily Kegel reminders, here.

Want to do something for you that just requires you to sit on the couch? Meditate! Whether or not you suffer from anxiety and stress, meditation is a cheap and easy way to just give yourself a mental reset. Some people do it in the early morning, some at bedtime, and some just whenever they can. I’m a huge fan of the Calm app and it’s made a big difference for me long-term. (And hey, they have kid bedtime stories and ambient music, too!)

If you’d like to see my journey with anxiety and how meditation helped me, you can read that here.

Another idea for what to do when your kid naps that’s cheap and easy? Give yourself a manicure or pedicure. I just use some of the quick-drying nail polishes after trimming and filing my nails. Nothing fancy, but it does make me feel a lot better and put together. And while I suck at painting with my left hand, no one can really tell!

While I love doing cheap and easy beauty things for myself, I don’t buy into the whole “Do a face mask because that’s self care!” crap. If you want to see what I think about self care for real moms, check that out here.

Let’s not forget the satisfaction of just sitting and enjoying a treat. I’m not talking the healthy protein-filled goodness like my ideas above, but just something that’s for you that makes you happy. I love a piece of Dove Promises dark chocolate or a few spoonfuls of ice cream. As long as you don’t indulge in this all the time (and you try to brush your teeth afterwards), please please don’t make yourself feel guilty over this. Parenting is all about balance, and sometimes a little bit of chocolate tips that scale right back where it belongs.

I also found that I love coloring. Give me a book and some colored pencils, and get outta my way! You can read more about my experience with coloring mandalas (and other silliness) here.

Stretching or foam rolling is another quick task that’s perfect for what to do when your kid naps. A foam roller is not expensive and is a super versatile tool for keeping yourself relaxed and limber. I have flat feet and arthritis (yep I’m super cool) so foam rolling makes me feel so much better! You can also get a little handheld roller like this one I’ve had for years. It’s great for the back of the neck (hello breastfeeding aches and pains) or anywhere else you feel tense. You can look up stretching or yoga routines on YouTube – Yoga by Adriene is my favorite and she has lots of shorter videos that would be easy to do when you just have a little time to yourself.

After you stretch or foam roll, use a cold pack for 15 minutes to help set in the good work you’ve done. 

And if you want to see how I fit in work outs with my kids, get all of my exercise ideas here.

Looking to make a bit of extra cash while your kid naps? I freelance with two companies that I love – User Testing, and Rev. You can see my honest review (and how to apply) here. Don’t worry, they’re not commission based and it’s just me giving a reference, there’s no benefit to me.

Self Care for Moms in 2018 - Real Simple Mama

Another fun option is to just sit and play a stupid game on your phone or console. 

On my Xbox One I love

  • Viva Piñata 1 and 2
  • Castle Crashers
  • The Long Dark

And on iOS my current favorites are

  • The Trail
  • Cats are Cute
  • Plants vs Zombies
  • Crossy Road
  • Fallout Shelter

Who could have a list of what to do when your kid naps, without having reading?! I absolutely adore reading and feel I never have enough time. I love most kinds of books and have a long list of “books I want to read” on Goodreads. The books I’ve started reading lately when I’m kid-free:

Finally, I’d keep a list of all your favorite “What to do when your kid naps” ideas on your fridge or your bathroom mirror, so that you have some concrete options for next time!

What are your favorite ideas for what to do in that bit of quiet time? Share in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!

child sleeping on a couch - Quick! my kid is napping. What should I do? What to Do When Your Kid Naps - Real Simple Mama