Nap-on-the-go and LIFE do co-exist

My DS is currently 27 months old.  We did sleep training when he was 9
months  old.  He was a stubborn little bugger (sometimes he still is) and it took him a  little longer to accept the change and adapt to the new methods and sleep  routine.  He has been sleeping like a champ since he was 11 months  old.
 
Whenever we plan family outings they are ALWAYS planned around my  DS and his nap/bedtime routine because I am worried about him missing his naps  or going to bed 30-60 minutes later then his usual time.  My husband probably  thinks I am crazy at times because we would rush to get our three children ready  to head out first thing in the morning and then we would
leave wherever we  decided to go around 1:15/1:30pm so my DS could nap in the car AND....I ALWAYS  made him drive the long way home!!  My two daughters (ages 4 years and almost 6  years) have been VERY patient and understanding with their brother's routine,  however, last weekend I decided enough is enough - why
should their fun always  be cut short because of their brother's routine.  My next thought was "Am I  ready to take the plunge and test my DS and his ability to nap on the  go?"
 
Last weekend my husband and I decided to plan a family day at Port  Dover.  The drive from Hamilton to Port Dover was NOT relaxing at all...I kept  visualizing the worst case scenario...an
overtired 2 year old having a never  ending tantrum because he missed his afternoon nap, now his sisters have to  suffer once again as another family day has come to an abrupt end...and now I  have 3 kids with full blown temper tantrums and meltdowns happening.  Much to my  surprise this did NOT happen
at all!!  In fact when I observed my DS and his  actions I could tell that it must be around his nap time - how did I know this?   With no help from mommy he got his blow up raft, dragged it to the shoreline and  climbed onto it and laid down...5 minutes later he was out like a light!!!  I  check the time and it was 1:15pm (close enough to his routine nap time of  1:30pm).  HE SLEPT FOR ONE HOUR!!!  He made his mommy proud!!
 
We put my DS to the test once again this past weekend...we decided to plan a family day at  Bissells.  I prayed that my DS napping in Port Dover last weekend wasn't a  fluke!  Sure enough I see my DS starting to slow down and unwind.  He says "All  done" and walks out of the splash pad area, lays down on the lounge chair and  puts a towel over himself...he falls asleep in about 6-7 minutes.  I check the  time and it's 1:35pm.  HE SLEPT FOR 1HR 40MIN!!!
 
As I write this I am  wondering:  "Why did I doubt my DS all summer?", "Why did I think he would NOT  nap if we spent a whole
day out?", "Why was I worried about him missing a nap if  that did
happen?"
 
The past few weeks I have realized that sometimes life  intervenes and naps get missed or bedtime doesn't happen when it should. 
I have  realized that sleep is all my DS knows!!  Next week we will
be away at to a  cottage for the whole week.  I feel so much more relaxed about going because I  know that if my DS is tired while we
are at the beach then he will nap  (hopefully I haven't jinxed myself).
 
I do believe that....Naps on the go  and life co-exist!!
Carla Underhill

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