WFMW -- 15-minute Siesta

Time for another installment of "Works for me Wednesday," in which I tell you about those little things that make our lives a little easier. Check out Rocks in my Dryer for other ideas.

Life gets a bit chaotic with four little kids in the house. Sometimes I just need a break, and so do the kids.

After lunch, I tidy the kitchen, make sure all of the kids have used the toilet and/or have a clean diaper, then we read one book together, put the girls (2 year old "twin cousins" Agent 004 and Cousin F) in for nap, put the baby down on his play mat, tell my "big guy" (Agent 002 is five years old now) to lay quietly on the couch with a book or toy, set the kitchen timer for 15 minutes, and make a cup of tea.

Then I read the newspaper, flip through a book of poetry, or write in my journal. Sometimes I even post on my blog.

Once the timer beeps, Agent 002 has the option of joining me in the kitchen, but many days he falls asleep or continues to play quietly for another ten or twenty minutes.

Refreshed by the quick break, I then go on a cleaning blitz before the cacophony begins again.

Works for me!