My children are 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2. From the time my oldest outgrew her nap, we’ve always had “quiet time”. The exact hour of the day has varied a bit through the years, depending on baby schedules, but it usually begins around 2:00-2:30 and goes for one hour.
Each child goes to a different part of the house. They choose whatever cozy spot they want, as long as they aren’t near anyone else. I always tell them that when you have lots of people living in the same house, EVERYONE benefits from some uninterrupted alone time. They look forward to the peace and quiet of not having a little sibling following them or asking them to do something. 🙂
All they get to do is read. Non-readers look at picture books. Sometimes I put quiet, relaxing music on. The rule has always been that if they’re noisy or if they come talk to me (unless it’s an emergency, of course), they go down for a nap that day – no if, ands or buts.
The age that each child has stopped napping has ranged from 3 to 5 years old. It has become a rite of passage to be “able” to stay up for quiet time, so they try very hard to be quiet and “be big” so they can stay up!
With the exception of days that we are gone from the house or have guests over, quiet time has been a constant in our home. None of my children remember a time without it.
It has been a real blessing to everyone.
~Anna