Thinking Outside of the Crib

Hats off to my sister in law who spent an hour and a half in a parked car while my niece took a nap. Why you ask? Because of the aforementioned mantra- you do what you gotta do. The baby falls asleep on the way to the grocery store and waking her up will mean a miserable time will be had by all, as well as the demise of any further attempts at an afternoon nap. So my brilliant sister in law kicks back with a couple of mags, makes a few calls and relishes in the quiet sounds of sweet slumber. Again, brilliant. This is what motherhood should teach us, learning to go with the flow, improvise, work with the tools available to you in the present moment. Having been on the other side of this nap conundrum, I've made other choices which have resulted in an afternoon of replaying the same old tape of "I am trapped by this baby and cannot do anything because his needs are more important than mine". Not a fun place to be really. But it happens, all too often because we get stuck in a rut, unable to navigate the twist and turns of the daily rituals of child rearing. Through hearing about Lisa's experience I've discovered an incredible opportunity. In a pinch, a well stocked car makes a fabulous makeshift nursery AND sacred space for mom. Let's face it- if I am home while the baby naps I just want to do the dishes or sweep up the weeks worth of dog hair that has formed a blanket over everything in the house. Now all it takes is a mini road trip and a vacant parking place and an afternoon of relaxation is mine. Who knew? Apparently Lisa....