As parents, we often find the quirks of our little ones to be the most amusing and entertaining moments of our day. One of the things my husband and I can’t help but laugh at is how our daughter reacts when we mention it’s time for either a nap or bedtime. It’s become a routine that never fails to surprise us, and it’s one of those little things that makes us appreciate how unique and playful children can be.
Every time we tell her it’s time to sleep—whether it’s in the afternoon for her nap or in the evening for bedtime—she immediately begins rubbing her belly and saying “eat.” She says it repeatedly, as though it’s the most urgent matter at hand, and she’s convinced that food must come before sleep. There’s something so endearing about the way she does it, as if she’s trying to remind us that naps and sleep are secondary to the important task of eating.
What’s even funnier is how she starts to grab our hands and pulls us toward the kitchen, her little face full of determination. It’s as if she’s thinking, “Surely, they’ve forgotten that I need to eat before resting!” We can’t help but laugh, especially because, on days when she’s more focused on play, she’ll totally ignore the food we offer her. But the moment we bring up sleep, suddenly, she’s eating with a sense of urgency—as if she knows this is her last chance to get something in her belly before she has to go to bed. It’s almost like she’s trying to sneak in a snack to keep her energy up, just in case it helps her stay awake a little longer.
It’s clear that our daughter will do anything in her power to avoid sleep. It’s fascinating how, even when she’s clearly tired and struggling to keep herself upright, she’ll keep playing, moving, and engaging in her favorite activities. Whether it’s running around the room or holding on to her toys, she finds a way to delay the inevitable. There’s something so comical about watching her try to balance and carry on with her little adventures while she’s practically half-asleep. You can see the exhaustion in her eyes, but she’s determined not to let it stop her from playing and having fun. Her clever little mind knows that sleep is just around the corner, and she does everything she can to push it further away.
However, as all parents know, sleep is a force that can’t be denied forever. Eventually, after all the attempts to delay it, she finds herself in bed, with no more distractions. At that point, she’s usually too tired to protest. She grabs her pillow, clutches her pacifier, and just like that, she peacefully falls asleep, without a second thought. It’s as if the second her head hits the pillow, the world around her fades away, and all that matters is the sleep she’s been avoiding for hours. It’s a strange, yet amusing, transformation from her energetic, food-focused moments to the calmness of deep sleep.
Looking at it from an adult’s perspective, it’s easy to see the logic in wanting to avoid sleep. After all, there’s always more fun to be had, more food to eat, and more adventures to explore. But it’s the innocence and pure determination of a child that makes moments like these so heartwarming. The way she holds on to her desire for food and fun, only to give in when her body can’t take it any longer, reminds us of the simple, precious stages of childhood. And as parents, we can’t help but find joy in every little quirk, every funny moment, and every nap-time struggle. After all, these moments are fleeting, and before we know it, she’ll be onto the next adventure—one where sleep isn’t quite so easily avoided.
