What do you do while the kids are napping? We were curious to know how real nannies and babysitters use their downtime, so we asked our community of caregivers on Care.com’s Facebook Page.
Judging by your responses, it sounds like your kids keep you quite busy — some of you hadn’t even heard of this mystical so-called “downtime.”
For those that do find a little time to themselves during the day, many use it to rest and recharge or tackle some housecleaning. Here’s what our community had to say about downtime.
Want more ideas? Here are 8 Things To Do During Your Downtime.
- “I am either cleaning or I sit down and read because usually my downtime is during naptime.”
~ Sara W.
- “I find myself cleaning.”
~ Danielle C.
- “What downtime?! With three kids, a puppy and plenty of chores to do, there isn’t much downtime to be had!”
~ Liz L.
- “When they nap, I nap…a 15 to 20 minute power nap is awesome for me.”
~ Tammieka J.
- “Depends on how long I am there for. If it’s a job where I am working for 10 hours, I may use it to rest, but for a job that’s only three hours I’d probably tidy up.”
~ Haley R.
- “Down time? I babysit two active girls who need to be shuffled to dance lessons, private tutoring, singing lessons, karate, etc. There is no downtime…I’m always on the move.”
~ Jamie L.
- “When they nap I’m usually doing homework! But sometimes I’ll read a book and just enjoy the quiet.”
~ Marissa B.
- “I take a 20 minute power nap. I find that I wake up more energized and cheerful throughout the day.”
~ Doreen P.
- “While the toddlers nap, I wash dishes, do laundry, clean the kitchen, pick up toys, take out the garbage, text mom about the day and eat my lunch if I didn’t eat with them. Maybe, I can look at email.”
~ Christy Q.
- “When they nap I nap, but I’m in school as well so I do homework. They are awesome at nap time — not a peep out of them.”
~ Dacia J.
- “I usually relax for the 2 hours the kids nap — watch TV, play on my phone, text my boss on how the kids were during the day. I call it me time.”
~ Amanda K.
- “Assuming that downtime is when kids are napping and the house is completely clean, I doodle, nap or read.”
~ Katie W.
- “Once the twins are down for their nap, I clean up, eat my lunch and take a half hour nap. I always set my alarm on my phone so I don’t over sleep!”
~ Cheryl R.
- “Downtime? So like, when both of the babies are sleeping? Well, I wash bottles, prepare the next bottles, and then if I am lucky I can text the mom and tell her the babies are doing okay.”
~ Lindsey R.
- “What is down time?!”
~ Lora F.
- “The kids I watch always have quiet time/nap time so I usually have my lunch then and just tidy up and play on my phone.”
~ Taylour Y.
- “It depends on what point of the day it is and how long the down time is. I either nap, tidy up, or prepare a craft. I’ll also get meals ready ahead of time because kids can be restless when they have to sit at a table.”
~ Alexandria W.
- “My own nap, homework, or working on my other business ventures.”
~ Kelli M.
Check out more advice and thoughts from families, nannies and other caregivers.
