On rest, nap time and the gift of quiet.

On rest, nap time and the gift of quiet. Growing up, I was shocked when I realized that most parents didn’t have their children nap after three or four. This idea was so counter cultural to how I grew up. See in my home growing up, we had something called rest time. After lunch we did our lunch chores and then we had rest/quiet time. My siblings and I all went to our rooms and to our beds. Momma’s rules were you had to be quiet and alone. If we were tired, we had the opportunity to nap. Otherwise we were welcome to read, draw, write, color or quietly play in our beds. We could do schoolwork that didn’t require any help during this time, but did not have to. If anything mom and dad encouraged us not to focus on “academics”.

The gift of quiet

I had no idea how both precious and rare this ritual was that my parents created. It allowed my momma a time of silence where she knew we were all in safe places. And she had the opportunity to catch up on tasks or to just enjoy the quiet. It also taught us children how vital it is to allow our brains times of quiet and contemplation. I’m not sure what age I was when the ritual faded from being part of the daily schedule. But by then it had become a habit. Even as adults, most of us seek a half hour or so when the sun is high in the sky to quiet our minds and read or write or pray. 

On rest

As the cold and dark of winter begin to fade into the warmth and light of spring, my mother begins to text lists. These lists consist of the performances, demonstrations and competitions that my siblings will participate in. Sent out to family, giving us opportunity to fill our calendars. Spring is a busy time for most students as the school year slowly wraps up. And homeschools and private schools are no exception. Attending these events is certainly different from participating in them. Yet it still brings me back to the exhaustion of my high school springs and how my family juggled business and health, both physical and mental. 

“As the cold and dark of winter begin to fade into the warmth and light of spring…”

Another take on rest, nap time and the gift of quiet

As I am no longer a child (the fancy way of saying I’m an adult now). I have joined my parents in encouraging my younger siblings to plan time of rest and quiet. I began to write about rest and the gift of quiet. Though the subject expands far beyond this small post in my heart and mind. As I watch my siblings grow up, my mind races with questions on how my parents made decisions in young parenthood. When I began to write snippets of poetry, I asked momma why they chose to institute rest time. I had a good guess as to her answers, but I wanted it in her words. Her beautiful words did not disappoint. 

“Initially it was because nap time is necessary for babies/toddlers… Eventually I believe I discovered my own need for resetting and teaching my children how to “self entertain”. To learn to be quiet, peaceful, content, in a small space. So it went from the necessity to sleep, to allowing each person time alone while being safe and loved. Being alone wasn’t/isn’t a punishment. It’s time to pray, reflect, quietly create, imagine and possibly even dream.” 

My Momma

Artistry and rest, nap time and the gift of quiet

One thing I would like to clarify is that momma used the term “self entertain”, NOT “self soothe”. My parents were always available if we needed them, even during rest time. If we were ever upset or lonely for any reason, our parents arms were, and are, always open. Sometime’s the greatest place of healing is in your momma’s arms. But my mother knew that contentment with being alone, even for a short time, is a valuable skill. As I have developed my artistry, I am learning creativity is often most prevalent when one is alone. Whether my mother knew this 25 years ago or not, she set my siblings and I up with the ability to be content wherever we were in life. She also taught us how to build a hub of creativity for our passions. 

Why she did it (on rest)

I asked her why she did it and waited to hear what she had to say,
I asked her why she broke the mold and covered her ears to the voices so bold.
She said if she could ask God for just one thing in the gift of having children, 
she would ask for relationship.
She wanted to treat them like the humans they were, 
not trophies, or pictures of her achievement, but humans, just like her. 
So she gave them rest, like she needed rest. 
She gave them quiet, for everyone needs quiet, even if they deny it.
She taught them to seek peace and strength .
She taught them to read and gain wisdom,
a quality she exemplified as a queen of her little kingdom.
I asked her why she did it and waited to hear what she had to say,
I asked her why she broke the mold and covered her ears to the voices so bold.
There was so much more she could have said, 
but with so little time left 
her last few words will ring through my head.
So choose to be quiet for a time each day.
Seek peace from truth both in work and play,
and learn that being alone isn’t punishment but an opportunity
to gather your mind before the cord of thought frays.

– A Ginger

We have come to the end of my thoughts on rest, nap time, and the gift of quiet. As always, take the collaboration between my rambling mind and my restless fingers as you will. Have a beautiful day my beautiful people!