The Nap Time Hustle

My daughter’s morning nap lasts anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. And that, my friends, is what I like to call The Nap Time Hustle.

That’s the window where I try to get all the things done — you know, the stuff that’s just ten times easier to do without a tiny human hanging off your leg.

At the beginning of the week, my nap time hustle is strong. I’m talking laundry folded, dishes done, floors mopped — domestic goddess levels of productivity.

By the end of the week? The hustle looks more like me taking a shower and watching an episode of Love Is Blind with wet hair and zero regrets.

Anyway, it’s Wednesday. I’ve got work this afternoon, so today’s nap time hustle needs to be a productive one.

Wait, work?

I thought you were a stay-at-home mom?

Well… kinda. I’m what I like to call a part-time stay-at-home mom. Three days a week, I work as a house manager. And before you ask, that’s basically just doing all the same things I do at home… but at someone else’s house. The best part? They pay me for it. Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet setup. I have been working for them for over a decade, and after I had my daughter they didnt want to find anyone new. I'm hard to replace! So they let me bring her!

Okay, back to the hustle. First up — a shower. The morning walk was humid, and I’m starting to question if fall is ever actually coming. Like, I can’t go pumpkin picking in shorts, Mother Nature. Get it together.

Next up: laundry. The goal is to get the load in the dryer folded, start another one, and maybe — just maybe — put the folded clothes away. (Big “maybe” there.)

And finally, dinner. My husband gets home mid-afternoon, so he usually finishes it up before my daughter and I get home. That way, we can actually eat dinner at a normal hour and as a family.

You might be thinking, “Why can’t he just make dinner?”

Oh, he can. And sometimes he does. But let’s just say his idea of a balanced meal is… meat and potatoes. Maybe a roll if he’s feeling wild. Vegetables? Never heard of them.

Meanwhile, I love the challenge of opening the fridge and seeing what I can throw together. People always tell me to try meal planning, but honestly — I can’t do it. What if I plan tacos for Tuesday and then Tuesday-me says, “No thanks, we’re feeling pasta”? I’m a cook-with-your-heart kind of gal.

And today, the heart wants pasta. My go-to meat sauce is perfect because it makes enough for two meals. Half goes into the freezer for a future “I can’t even” kind of night.

It’s loaded with good stuff — eggplant, carrots, onions, and ground turkey. And here’s my secret weapon: a heaping scoop of cottage cheese. Don’t knock it till you try it! You can’t taste it, but it adds a nice protein boost.

So now, all that stands between me and success is my daughter actually napping for the full hour and a half. Fingers crossed she’s on my side today.

Update:

Miracle of miracles — we got everything done, and dinner was a total hit. My daughter was literally shoveling it in and asking for more. I’ll share the recipe soon because it’s ridiculously easy and seriously delicious.

Next up on my to-do list? Apply for a Michelin Star, obviously.