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I may lose friends for posting this as toddlers like to keep the truth about our societal norms within our age demographic, but I feel as if parents need to understand car sleep to better serve us.
Today I tweeted this:
This resonated with many of you because you’ve experienced the phenomenon. @ShakenNotBlurred asked the million dollar question: “Why is that?”
*Deep breath*
If you wish to gain an understanding of why a very short catnap will always cancel out a longer afternoon snooze session I must start with a very basic physics lesson. Please try to keep up. It is widely accepted that space is comprised of three dimensions; left to right, up and down, and forward and back. Combine these dimensions with time and we have what is known as the space-time continuum. or simply,spacetime.
Einstein’s special theory of relativity makes two assertions: 1) that whether or not someone is moving, the speed of light (about 186000 miles a second ) is identical to all regardless of their motion relative to the light source and 2) the laws of physics don’t change, even for objects moving at a constant speed.
Einstein concluded that time and space are, indeed, relative. Science has thus proven that an object in motion experiences time slower than one that is at rest. Don’t argue. This is science. By scientists.
This has been tested by the launching of atomic clocks into space with shuttles. When they returned to Earth, they were slightly behind our clocks. Google it. And no aliens didn’t tamper with the clocks just to mess with our minds (although I did suspect as much as one point).
This phenomenon is known as gravitational time dilation or the effect of time passing at different rates and brings us to the crux of why many parents would throw cold apple juice in their child’s face rather than let them fall asleep in the car close to nap time.
Formula for gravitational time dilation
If you’ve ever thought to yourself that your child is from a “different planet,” you’re not far from the truth! Alas, we toddlers are not aliens- har har, but we do exist in a dimension all our own; one that allows us access to high levels of energy (you may have noticed). The dimension we live in is closer in proximity to the light. I can’t go any deeper into that without violating confidentiality clauses and at least 14 treaties. We can see things you can’t see blah blah blah. OK.
Unless you drive a purely *electric vehicle, your car contains an internal combustion engine. In simple terms, high energy fuel (gasoline) is ignited in an enclosed space. The result is a high amount of energy released.
If you’ve spent a significant amount of time with a toddler in a small, enclosed area, you have witnessed this phenomenon in a biological being. You subconsciously avoid the energy bouncing off of the walls by taking us outdoors to make life more enjoyable for everyone.
They’re amazed at the number of people using pinterest.
This is the moment where I piece it all together.
When the elementary particles in the combustion engine and the outer dimensional field toddlers exist in that mimics the speed of light collide, something spectacular happens. Upon colliding, the particles vaporize into pure energy. This immediately overwhelms us as it feels like Mentos and Coke have erupted in our psyches. Some of us scream. Others cry and resist the carseat like it is a portal to Hades. If it is close to naptime, most of us will be sent into sleep mode as a natural guard against dangerous overwhelm.
The pure energy released creates a outer space like dark matter-rich force-field that creates the perfect conditions for gravitational time dilation (see above, we discussed this). When you look in your rearview mirror, you see a cherub sleeping and only a few minutes passing. But in our dimension, 1 minute equals an hour. Three minutes for you, three hours for us.
This usually doesn’t apply to infants because they exist in a dimension even closer to light than ours resulting in reaction that sometimes has a soothing effect.
The problem is that while some toddlers will come out of the warp sleep happy and rested, most of us experience a post radiation “hangover,” if you will. Headaches. Confusion. Slight nausea. You drink, right? You know what this feels like. Combine this with an impatient parent upset that they missed out on three hours of child-less bliss (whatever) and an emotional fallout is likely.
What I suggest to parents is that they focus on restabilizing the now slightly off caliber energy field of their toddler through proper hydration, hugs, and cupcakes. Some toddlers do best if they’re kept outdoors to absorb the calming energetic waves of nature while other do better if they’re allowed to literally zonk out in front of Yo Gabba Gabba to allow for a healing meditative state to commence.
You’ve been given information that until now has only been discussed in the quiet corners of Chuck E. Cheese and under the dark shadows of plastic playground slides. Use it well.
I must be off. Bath time awaits. You should see me. I look like a young Michael Phelps.
*The Toddler Council of Gloriousness is monitoring how the switch to hybrid and electrical cars will alter these findings.
166 Comment on “The Truth About Car Sleep”
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The Book is Here!
Wyatt Kintner
01 Jun 2012 09:06 pm
Holy mackerel, quantum fractal!
terrypetersen
04 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
I have a two-year-old granddaughter who fits this description perfectly. Toddler chi could save the planet if it could be duplicated. Great blog. Love it!
canugirl
01 Jun 2012 09:06 pm
Damn. I hate it when a toddler is smarter than me. Than I? Oh, crap. I bet HT could correct my grammar too.
The Auntie
02 Jun 2012 08:06 am
Now I get it. Thank you.
Sandy Davis Swain
02 Jun 2012 09:06 am
This is wonderfully explained (finally) for the Toddler Challenged among us! I am passing the knowledge on! Thanks Honest Toddler!
Erica
02 Jun 2012 11:06 am
Brilliant explanation. Another reason why I hate science.
Laura
02 Jun 2012 01:06 pm
Aha! Thank you.
J’s Mom
02 Jun 2012 02:06 pm
While I type, my toddler is laying in bed screaming. Why? He took a car nap. I am desperately afraid that I missed out on my “three hours of child-less bliss”. Thanks for your insight. Cupcakes…for ALL of us.
laura
04 Jun 2012 11:06 am
i can sleep better just knowing this. thank you.
Mikalee Byerman
04 Jun 2012 01:06 pm
Wow. Such truth…such insight…such — quantum-physics-craziness!
At least for me. The math is nebulous and fuzzy, but the result is 100% real. My kids are no longer car/nap age — thank GOD. But I remember the days well. Not fondly, but well…
Kathy
04 Jun 2012 01:06 pm
Using physics formula to justify sleeping luxury in luxury cars? Hmm… sounds dangerous LOL!
Valerie {all mussed up}
04 Jun 2012 01:06 pm
I have no toddlers yet but I’m relieved to know that I’ll have this principle in my toolbox someday. (:
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
theincompetenthausfrau
04 Jun 2012 01:06 pm
I loved this! Please, do explain why you scream through the entire car ride, but do not fall asleep until 5 minutes from the destination.
realcarpentier
04 Jun 2012 01:06 pm
HT, re. “You subconsciously avoid the energy bouncing off of the walls by taking us outdoors to make life more enjoyable for everyone.”
please add the following to your infinite wisedom and knowledge: There’s no such thing as subconscious…only conscious and unconscious. Congrats on you FP.
butcheringsaint
04 Jun 2012 02:06 pm
Deep
Nastasja
04 Jun 2012 02:06 pm
You deserved a Gold Medal for this one: “This usually doesn’t apply to infants because they exist in a dimension even closer to light than ours resulting in reaction that sometimes has a soothing effect.”
Dancing Beastie
04 Jun 2012 02:06 pm
Glorious. I’ve never read anything quite like this. (Possibly because I’ve never had a physics lesson from a toddler before.) And it’s all true!
gabriel roybal
04 Jun 2012 02:06 pm
passing this on to all my new parent friends
malindalou
04 Jun 2012 02:06 pm
This is cute and if I may, I’d like to add to your explanation.
When you ride in a car, there are lots of soothing sights and noises. The hum of the engine. The songs on the radio. The blur of scenery going by. All of those things can be very relaxing to a little person’s brain. The end result is him being put into a light state of hypnosis which can eventually lead to a deep state of sleep.
If your child naps in this way, he may feel much more rested than he normally does during nap time. This is because you have helped him fall asleep.
One minute of hypnosis induced sleep usually feels like 3.
As you pointed out, riding in a car is not a hypnotic trigger for every child. On the opposite end of the scale, a kid who does not like to nap and who has that trigger might not like being put in his seat for that very reason. It is cool how our minds function, even when we are toddlers.
notesfromrumbleycottage
04 Jun 2012 02:06 pm
I love this even though most of it went over my head. Having lived with toddlers, I know this theory to be true.
Craig Canapari MD
04 Jun 2012 02:06 pm
As a pediatric sleep medicine specialist, I wholeheartedly endorse the truth of this entire piece.
JPanda
04 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
LOL Hilarious piece! Very well written
Cafe
04 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
Errm you lost me at: “Please try to keep up.” Haha =P
But I will remember the power of the one-minute nap when I have a little one
Jane
04 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
You are one clever toddler!
Two Troublesome K9s
04 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
Wow, you have this down to a science! xD
Katie Raspberry
04 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
Haha it’s funny, waiting up with a hang over feeling. Indeed.
Katie
http://katieraspberry.wordpress.com/
Rae
04 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
I’m going to remember this if I ever have a child. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
TeeVee
04 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
O you toddlers are such divas and divos!!!
lexiesadventures
04 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
That makes a lot of sense! Thank you
Chris
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Now us parents know the TRUE reason why car seats have a five-point harness…
Excellent post.
Joanna
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Hysterical post. I do not have kids of my own, but I am a teacher. Twenty 6-year-olds confinded to a small room…oh boy!
Richard McCargar
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Please address the difference in referential speeds between adults and toddlers, vs the fact we are all zooming through space at dizzying speed.
The slight difference in space/time for a child at rest is made meaningless by the space/time we all live on a speeding planet.
I’ll be looking forward to your correction.
Congrats on being freshly pressed.
honesttoddler
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Arguing with a baby. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Richard McCargar
04 Jun 2012 05:06 pm
Everyone I know says I’m a baby, and as we all know, babies have no shame. What do I win?
Cleverreality
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
I wish there were adult sized car seats!
honesttoddler
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Who would drive.
Cleverreality
04 Jun 2012 05:06 pm
the DA(designated adult)
Wisdom Within Consultancy
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Genius! Great thought has been put into this blog.
Loved it!
rockedbypilates
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Can you explain why when I try to move my toddler from the car seat to the bed, she wakes up while other toddlers could sleep through an earthquake?
the-baby-always-wakes
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Yes, please answer this! My wife and I would love to know how to transport the sleeping one to bed w/o waking, even if time has sped up.
honesttoddler
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
One the engine has shut down, conditions return to normal.
honesttoddler
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
“The transfer” is next to impossible.
Kathleen
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Hilarious! I’m so glad you clarified that for me.
williamw60640
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
So very true!!
Pedro Alvarez Fotografía
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Muy buena explicación…
Michelle G
04 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
And this is exactly why we used to take turns keeping the littlest awake.
SMH92
04 Jun 2012 05:06 pm
Makes sense to me.
Eagle-Eyed Editor
04 Jun 2012 05:06 pm
LOL, Honest Toddler! I’ve also found that after an eventful bout of H20 displacement (swimming) or traveling at warp speed (running or walking for long distances), the toddler tires and resistance to the car seat is somewhat lessened.
alpinedon
04 Jun 2012 05:06 pm
Oh so funny! The really interesting thing is that while I read and commented on this story, my year-old girl Julia is asleep. Any guesses as to what she zonked out to? That’s right, Yo Gabba Gabba. Hmm. Talk about a space-time distortion.
Jasmine T. Cruz
04 Jun 2012 05:06 pm
This is really awesome!
flamelesslove
04 Jun 2012 06:06 pm
Does this apply to parents as well? It could be the reason I always fall asleep when my husband drives and our son is passed out in the back. He calls it a nap, I call it…well I call it a nap too, until he turns up the rock & roll..then I call it a rude awakening!
freethinker321
04 Jun 2012 06:06 pm
Reblogged this on Blue Ridge Wordsmith Services.
meetal
04 Jun 2012 07:06 pm
This was me as a kid – not only was it easier to fall asleep in a moving vehicle (perhaps due to increased awake time for the same reasons as outlined above) but it was always more refreshing than the same (or more) time asleep when stationary. Love the post – thanks!
athomewithgod
04 Jun 2012 08:06 pm
This is the first post I’ve read of yours, and I really enjoyed it. The angle of your blog is so intriguing! I imagine it is often as entertaining to write as it is to read.
Sara Marquez
04 Jun 2012 08:06 pm
cat naps are super effective. luckily for me, i can nap anytime, anywhere…..
triedtestedandtruemommy
04 Jun 2012 08:06 pm
Reblogged this on Tried, Tested, and True Mommy.
Switching back « Busy Words
04 Jun 2012 08:06 pm
[...] I will get into what is switching in a minute. But first, if you want to read a great blog post and get a laugh, go read Honest Toddler. [...]
proflightsimulatorr
04 Jun 2012 09:06 pm
If one minute equals one hour, so then is everything 1/60th in comparing adult to child. (patience, honesty, cleanliness, and love for broccoli?)
Loved your post
Cheers
bunnyisms
04 Jun 2012 09:06 pm
This is so great. I suppose if we make the car go fast enough, time will start slowing down.
Anyway, when I was little, I loved sleeping in the car.
investmentingoldandsilverr
05 Jun 2012 10:06 am
I’m loving till now! hahahaha
juststartwithmonday
04 Jun 2012 09:06 pm
I am so glad you have provided the scientific proof of something I discovered many moons ago with my then toddler. I have been known to schedule a drive around nap time. The quietness is bliss! Just thought you could add to this…..now that I have approached the “senior” age, I have learned that this time warp also applies to you as you approach this age. My grandmother lived to be 96 and she took many naps in the car! I think it was her long life secret. I am trying to live by her example.
TammyeHoney
04 Jun 2012 10:06 pm
Isn’t that the reason for the night time rides in the car? I am a grandparent who has been called in my pj’s to please come and take the child to do my magic…a ride to Dun-kin Donuts and back…which she was awake the entire time but gladly went to sleep and knew she had her muffin for the morning…although there was already one on the counter waiting anyways which became mine…all mine…lol..and the little world slept in peace…
scrounger1984
04 Jun 2012 10:06 pm
This reminds me of that movie…what was it? Super Babies? Genius Babies? They were twin boys or something.
Ms. Independenttt
04 Jun 2012 10:06 pm
Its called Baby Geniuses! lol, I love that movie! Haha, It made me think of that too!
healthybodieshealthyminds
04 Jun 2012 11:06 pm
I have experienced this exact phenomenon a stupid number of times!!!
Tinkerbell
04 Jun 2012 11:06 pm
Wow, seriously, I don’t know how you came up with this post, or this entire blog for that matter, but
It. Is. Genius.
Love this! The whole world should know about you!!
Love,
~Tinkerbell
Alyssa
04 Jun 2012 11:06 pm
After seeing those figures and the mention of Einstein, my head is about to explode…then I feel dizziness. Great post, nonetheless. Cheers for making it to freshly pressed, by the way.
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michel
04 Jun 2012 11:06 pm
Well, maybe that explains (at least partly) why time flies so fast when I’m sitting at my computer…
Mike
04 Jun 2012 11:06 pm
I’m curious if this, too, applies when kids (or adults) are awake during car travel. Same thing, right? 3 minutes of being awake should be equivalent to 3 hours if & when done during the transport time-space continuum thingy *winks*
halfwayto50
04 Jun 2012 11:06 pm
I’m 27 and can fall asleep in the car going across town with my hubbie. I’ve always loved a good car sleep. My parents wouldn’t let me bring a car to college for two years for fear I would fall asleep while driving. There’s something magical about the car that just lulls me into a deep, wonderful sleep!
Rebeca
05 Jun 2012 12:06 am
This was hysterical! I’m a fully grown adult, but I hear what you’re saying. I tend to wake up grumpy from a nap! LOL
tusiquevales1
05 Jun 2012 01:06 am
Please go i http://tusiquevales1.wordpress.com
Theasaurus
05 Jun 2012 02:06 am
I wonder if this is why it’s easier to recover from jet lag when travelling east-west than a west-east trip.
Prabaharan E
05 Jun 2012 02:06 am
May be Christopher Nolan can use some of your thoughts in Inception 2…:p
sannekurz
05 Jun 2012 02:06 am
I’ve “been slept” in a car all my childhood by my parents circling in their little yellow car around the block… I still love “sleep driving” so much that I tend to fall a sleep when driving does not matter which time of day or night it is… besides from having suffered two accidents coz of this tiny driving-sleeping problem I still love snoozing in cars…
I do not have a car anymore though since I’m living in a large European city with exquisite public transport and – yes! I love sleeping in the tram as well!
Love You Photography
05 Jun 2012 02:06 am
How do I pronounce pinterest – I haven’t looked at the site as I am not sure how to say it?
doctorwhofan98
05 Jun 2012 07:06 am
You pronounce it “pin” (as in ‘I’ve dropped a pin’) then ‘interest’ with the ‘in’ part. So “pin-terest”. Hope this helps.
Dreamz Infra
05 Jun 2012 03:06 am
Really it is great
YumnaMirza
05 Jun 2012 03:06 am
I likes! I was like woooaahhh when all the math was unleashed but then I managed to get through it (thank you A Level Physics). Congratulations.
Shruti Trivedi
05 Jun 2012 03:06 am
This is incredible! I jus love it!
africanstardust
05 Jun 2012 04:06 am
This…is rather epic. My niece falls asleep like magic in the car, guess this is why
mowanling
05 Jun 2012 04:06 am
Nice one.like this. haha!
orangepajamas
05 Jun 2012 04:06 am
My friend, your post is indeed a noble one. I always doubted if the “adults” will get the space time continuum and gravitational time dilation principles, but you have managed to make it as simple as it can get…Kudos !!
haddish gebrekristos
05 Jun 2012 04:06 am
I slept many times on travel but I have never taught the way you addressed it.
Great idea. Mention of Albert Einstein and his theory of relativity makes mad.I love it.
tofatelecom
05 Jun 2012 04:06 am
Really amazing facts ! should we believe in ?
Ayu Mustika
05 Jun 2012 04:06 am
nice post..am very happy to viist in this blog…greetings all for me
http://batu-mustika.indonetwork.co.id/mustika-pengasihan
jjyesitsme
05 Jun 2012 05:06 am
I am so happy to realize this as I wipe the sleep from my eyes, baby ain’t got no tears, yawns, back to sleep, pinched, ….. And blank.
…
saigonsays
05 Jun 2012 05:06 am
A tour de force, loved it….
Any tips in the future about how the science plays out on plane travel would be welcomed by my Daddy. Based on recent experiences flying 16 hours from Europe to Asia last week would indicate 2 hours sleep in the air = more like 2 days sleep on the ground. I am now awake around the clock as a result.
Yours, in empathy,
SaigonToddler (1 yr)
Kerry Dwyer
05 Jun 2012 06:06 am
Why didn’t you tell me this when I had a toddler? It’s all a bit late now that I have a teenager.
Prosecco & Pampers
05 Jun 2012 06:06 am
Finally! I never understood the logic of car naps until now. You lost me a bit in the middle, but the message is still the same – don’t let your kiddies sleep in the car!
Tobore Gabriel
05 Jun 2012 07:06 am
“The Truth About Car Sleep” is a good post really,
Please check this great website here –
http://www.writosphere.com/ – is the new social network for activist. In writosphere you can write your stories and articles and share with everyone around the world
thoughtsoflight
05 Jun 2012 07:06 am
Imagination 100% Writing 100%
good one
Robert!
05 Jun 2012 07:06 am
Where the hell is that “Follow me? button for this blog!! I love your writing well done.
Life in the 50′s and beyond…
05 Jun 2012 07:06 am
Oh I wish I had known about this years ago. My children and even grandchildren are past this stage…. however my husband can fall asleep sitting up on a bar stool in the middle of a noisy bar sitting next to the band with a glass of beer in his hand…. he is so off the hook now. Thanks! maybe you should look into marriage counseling….
Gelezen: The Truth About Car Sleep. | | Beyond Life. Almost daily.Beyond Life. Almost daily.
05 Jun 2012 07:06 am
[...] The Truth About Car Sleep. Posted in Life · Tagged: auto, car, kinderen, nap, Slapen, sleep [...]
KristinaRing
05 Jun 2012 07:06 am
My parents still call me “baby” and “pookie”, childhood nicknames that they never grew out of. But at age 21 and going to be moving out with my man at the end of this month … I must admit, a mere 30 minutes in a car sends me off into the BEST nap a woman could ever ask for. My parents playfully mock me for it, but I always wondered why it is that I often cannot remain awake for even 45 minutes in any type of moving vehicle. Could this relate to adults as well?
236factorial
05 Jun 2012 08:06 am
great, brilliant stuff! now why doesn’t this work on an airplane…
hemadamani
05 Jun 2012 08:06 am
this is too good.. Einstein would be soo-so proud of you..you’ve cracked life’s one major mystery..;)
mikedavil113
05 Jun 2012 08:06 am
this is too good.. Einstein would be soo-so proud of you..you’ve cracked life’s one major mystery..;)
anniespickns
05 Jun 2012 08:06 am
This is so good.
As a grand mother of three and mother of one I believe this to be very true. A little something to drink, lots of hugs and kisses and some fruit slices (maybe a cookie or a little cupcake) can improve almost anyone’s mood, especially a toddler.
gabriellereport
05 Jun 2012 08:06 am
Love this! I spent many afternoon rides as a child in the back of our car with my mom urging me, “Don’t let your brother fall asleep! I need him to take a nap when we get home!” And I love your writing style!
jillbware
05 Jun 2012 08:06 am
Exactly – I’m a mom of two boys…this exactly:) i’d like to hear your thoughts on spacetime in relation to the bear cub wrestling matches I experience on a daily basis…
Terry C.
05 Jun 2012 09:06 am
Genius. Pure genius. Very enjoyable read.
Subham
05 Jun 2012 09:06 am
‘This blog is beautify my info and required details which really great matter of admiration and worth praising.Since i’ve received this blog my level of confidence improving day by day”
domesticdreamer
05 Jun 2012 09:06 am
Reblogged this on domesticdreamer and commented:
Had to reblog this amazing discovery, backed up with real live scientific facts and stuff. Makes me look suspiciously at my youngest, wondering what other science stuff he has been withholding from me.
domesticdreamer
05 Jun 2012 09:06 am
Reblogging this as I feel this knowledge could save many a parent from premature grey hair and balding. Great post!
kenyanpol
05 Jun 2012 09:06 am
i love this
Debra Colby-Conklin
05 Jun 2012 09:06 am
And catnaps aren’t just for toddlers, I find that when I have one my day prgresses with a much happier attitude. My temper tantrums are less traumatic and my energy levels are up to par with just about all my other work buddies.
merceeo
05 Jun 2012 09:06 am
yeah dis sure reminds me of baby genius Lol nyc post
Fr. John+
05 Jun 2012 10:06 am
Two things. For some acoustical reason, train rides in Europe induce the same ‘back car seat’ nap phenomenon with Adults- even adults in their 20′s and 30′s. Not the super speed trains as much, however. It’s the regional trains in Germany and France (where a train ride of three hours or more is possible) that have that numbing ‘ka-chunk, ka-chunk’ sound which enable this sonic inducement to Morpheus’ arms- which is also observed on Amtrak trains in the US.
The Italians (eminently practical people that they are) simply take an hour off in the middle of the day, go home, and take ‘siesta.’ I’ve adopted this multicultural practice, and find 15 minutes of ‘siesta’ to be equivalent to the two or three hours I’ve missed, on those nights when sleep proves elusive.
We all deal with the space-time continuum, as we see fit, it would appear. But the wording of the equation is puzzling me on that one…..
thehomeschoolroadtrip.com
05 Jun 2012 11:06 am
Reblogged this on The Homeschool Roadtrip.
santren
05 Jun 2012 11:06 am
Wake up.
we know that waking up and doing things in the morning is the best way to achieve our goals in life.
sigough
05 Jun 2012 01:06 pm
‘ It is always far better to wake up and do things in the morning than to go to bed at night and forget to do anything.’
Confucius 754 AD
Cozziscorner
05 Jun 2012 11:06 am
LOL! There have been many times I have looked in the mirror hoping to see livley little ones and their all sleeping:/ Well there goes early bedtime or afternoon naptime for them resulting in no free time for me! Thanks for sharing I got a good morning laugh!
midnitechef
05 Jun 2012 12:06 pm
Interesting to read about the science behind it!
meredithwoodtherapist
05 Jun 2012 12:06 pm
So true. I am at that stage with my toddler (3 1/2) where he either takes a nap or he doesn’t. If we happen to have a nap in the car there is NO WAY he is napping later. I also have a newborn (6 weeks old today) which complicates the equation. The other day both fell asleep as I was attempting to run errands. I then could not complete the mission. Instead, I pulled overl, and indulged myself by responding to emails, completing my shopping list on Cosi, playing a quick round of words with friends, checked out facebook and then began writing a new blog post (meredithwoodtherapist.wordpress.com)!
myhonestself
05 Jun 2012 12:06 pm
Reblogged this on justmypeanuts and commented:
This is fantastic! Something I wish I had of known when my kids were younger! Thought I’d share with the rest of the world and hopefully you can avoid the mistakes I made. Enjoy
The-Marnray
05 Jun 2012 12:06 pm
The whole time I was reading this, I imagined Stewie giving me a lesson in Quantam Mechanics.
Definitely re-blogging.
versipellusfenris
05 Jun 2012 12:06 pm
Fantastic.
followechoes
05 Jun 2012 02:06 pm
Love the science behind this
mjgoodburn
05 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed this post! I’m envious of how well you use the written word, not to mention your sense of humour. Excellent job!
mjgoodburn
05 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
Reblogged this on mjgoodburn and commented:
This is a great post! I admire the blogger very much for their excellent use of the written word and unique sense of humour!
John Saddington
05 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
Reblogged this on 8BIT.
You’re A Gigantic Retard
05 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
“why many parents would throw cold apple juice in their child’s face” Why the hell are you throwing apple juice in your kids face?
ForTheLulz
14 Jun 2012 01:06 pm
Why are you reading a comedic blog with no sense of humor?
teresa
17 Aug 2012 09:08 pm
hahahahahaha
Erin
17 Aug 2012 09:08 pm
That was my favorite part! The person who left that post must either:
A. not have kids or
B.not have a sense of humor
mummymishy
20 Aug 2012 08:08 am
By “You’re”, do you really mean “I’m”? Just wondering…
misskristicle
05 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
this is brilliant, and makes total sense, always suspected toddlers were much smarter that people gave them credit for
Love You Photography
05 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Reblogged this on Love You Photography and commented:
Ha! My toddler would agree
Mandy
05 Jun 2012 04:06 pm
Hilarous. And true. When my son would fall asleep in his carseat, I would hate it. Not for the quiet ride, but because I knew he was not going to nap when we got home. We’d try to gingerly extract him from his carseat…. to no avail. He’d always wake up bright eyed and ready to play.
callingkallisti
05 Jun 2012 05:06 pm
Reblogged this on Calling Kallisti and commented:
An excellent explanation of the science of kids sleep
stevenwadeedinburgh
05 Jun 2012 06:06 pm
Last time I fell asleep in the car I woke up to find the car in a ditch.
Steven Wade, Edinburgh and Dundee
salerosa
05 Jun 2012 08:06 pm
Reblogged this on Salerosa and commented:
That’s an interesting post! Γιατί 1 λεπτό ύπνος στο αυτοκίνητο ισοδυναμεί με 1 ώρας;
salerosa
05 Jun 2012 08:06 pm
Reblogged this on Salerosa and commented:
That’s an interesting post! Well done!
crisgzr
05 Jun 2012 09:06 pm
so true, I need to sleep more while driving LOL
cjmarzan
05 Jun 2012 09:06 pm
Reblogged this on Keeping Times and commented:
I’m not a toddler, but I am convinced this applies to both car sleep and subway sleep, which feels even more refreshing than a nap at college.
bennettonbooks
05 Jun 2012 10:06 pm
If we’d *had* blogs when my kids were toddlers, they *so* would have had one. Each.
Brilliant.
Kyoko
05 Jun 2012 11:06 pm
Reblogged this on the asylum within.
Samantha
06 Jun 2012 12:06 am
I was going to say, this doesn’t just apply to toddlers. It always feels like not complete sleep either, like the space between consciousness and unconsciousness. Great post
Congrats on Freshly Pressed.
djtj57
06 Jun 2012 01:06 am
i still cant believe how 1 minute of car sleep = 1 hour of bedtime sleep
Kim and Bjørn
06 Jun 2012 02:06 am
Brilliant. Thanks to this post I now feel 1 step closer to breaking into the world of my (almost)4 and (almost) 2 year old. [insert satisfied laughter] Mama shall indeed win the war!
Saudi Prices Blog
06 Jun 2012 05:06 am
Thanks for sharing this post
njenva
06 Jun 2012 06:06 am
This is hilarious!!! What about adults who sleep in buses? Does the increase in the size of the car mean that their sleep equation will also be 1 minute = 1 hour too?
Do you have science to prove that?
green4u
07 Jun 2012 02:06 pm
Great post and great blog… I have often wondered about this amazing process of toddler rejuvenation but this post also made me wish I had paid more attention in physics!
walkinwjc
07 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
I reblogged this on walkinwjc also sent it to friends on FB. This is well written and so true!! Thanks for making this post!
quarteracreofcrazy
08 Jun 2012 09:06 pm
I could get my infant in the house for an extended nap most of the time but now at 3.5yrs it would never work. So if he’s out when I pull in the driveway I apply the “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” method by laying my seat back and having a snooze. My observation has been that the effects of gravitational time dilation must be directly proportional to the weight (or age?) of the subject because 1 minute never feels like 1 hour for me. Although I often suffer from the spacetime hangover if I don’t get at least 15 minutes of actual nap time.
Werdna
11 Jun 2012 05:06 pm
Very amusing. The more mundane explanation ties into the mechanisms by which so called power naps work. 20 to 30 minutes can make you feel like you got any extra three hours of sleep without leaving you groggy or disoriented. Any more than that and you risk going into a deeper sleep in which any interruptions leave the mind muddy and confused and you may feel more tired than when you laid down.
i’ll see you on the flipside, « purpleheartstrings
09 Jun 2012 10:06 am
[...] this is a really good read, http://honesttoddler.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/the-truth-about-car-sleep/ [...]
Versatile AND Inspiring? – Thank you Laura | Marion Retires
10 Jun 2012 03:06 pm
[...] blogs about children get my vote and the Honest Toddler has a wonderful post on car sleep that struck me after my grandson had fallen asleep in the car [...]
6 warning signs your toddler may be under recall | Organic Baby Atlanta
11 Jun 2012 01:06 pm
[...] they’re toddlers. If you’ve eliminated other possible causes like teething or illness, car sleeping, or too-late naps, then you’ve got a sleep malfunction. Unfortunately, there’s no fix [...]
Life Quotes
11 Jun 2012 05:06 pm
lol dude. you have really learn the theories of relativity by your heart.
nyparrot
11 Jun 2012 06:06 pm
Rock Solid Science! LOL
june2
13 Jun 2012 04:06 am
This is one of the most brilliant observations I’ve ever heard. So very perfect!…
Free for All Friday 07.13 | Rescuing Jesus
15 Jun 2012 05:06 am
[...] The truth about car napping. [...]
The Truth About Car Sleep… | huttbabies2012
17 Jun 2012 11:06 pm
[...] http://honesttoddler.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/the-truth-about-car-sleep/ Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. ← Baby on Board / Mums & Bubs Movie Sessions [...]
notlateone
04 Jul 2012 11:07 am
Okay, I’m definitely late on commenting, but would this rule also explain why car accidents feel as though they are in slow motion?
Michael Mitschele
10 Jul 2012 12:07 am
It is awesome. I always like to sleep while travel.
Booba
13 Jul 2012 02:07 pm
I see how this all works now. For me I wake as soon as the car stops, or slows as it gets off of the freeway, so the “gravitational time dilation” is spot on. My Mama has actually stayed on the freeway several exits past ours in order to prolong my car nap or diven around and around, all the way to the end of the long road and back before stopping to keep me masked in angelic slumber. Sometimes she is able to park and keep some music running while she plays on her phone for the duration of my car nap. When I wake up and the car is not moving I am a little peeved to have been the butt end of a joke, coerced into a longer nap AND some child free time….pa-lease! Then she expects me to sit still in a shopping cart seat at Target while she browses EVERY AISLE for things we don’t need. Has she no idea what she has just done? She has re-charged me in a third of the time it would have taken in my own bed. Therefore a shopping cart seat will not contain me and I will be standing up in no time regarless of how tight she tries to make that skimpy little seat belt. Ha ha! She may think twice about car naps now.
adjustablebedsandframes
24 Jul 2012 12:07 pm
Honest Toddler,
You are very wise. Thank you, I can appreciate the lesson in science and physics. Please be advised: I have taken your advice and will always seek to re stabilize energy fields with plenty of water, hugs, and cupcakes.
Jeffrey
Rachel Hill
17 Aug 2012 08:08 pm
I’m beginning to suspect that this blog is not, in fact, written by a toddler…
Liz Whitehead
17 Aug 2012 09:08 pm
There have been so many times I have been ten minutes away from home and started chanting “stay awake” over and over to keep my sleepy boy from passing out because I too know about this phenomenon!
Travis
18 Aug 2012 01:08 am
First, the equation T = T0/sqrt(1 – 2GM/Rc2 )
is correct, in the sense that it accurately describes the time dilation in the vicinity of a non-rotating, uncharged massive body as compared to an observer in deep space.
Second, it is also true that Science has proven that an object in motion experiences time slower than one that is at rest.
Nothing else in the article, including the ways in which these two true things are referenced or their claimed relation to one another (relative motion time dilation is not gravitational time dilation), corresponds in any way to our current scientific understanding.
The phenomenon of short car naps sufficing is likely more akin to the way in which a grown adult who is hung to the gills from the previous night’s debauchery feels curiously recharged after an hour nap and is willing to give the bottle another go.
I use the drinking analogy, because you would have to be pretty drunk to accept anything in the above article.
mummymishy
20 Aug 2012 08:08 am
You’d better watch your back, HT. Nobody likes a rat. (But since you’re spilling – how does my toddler hear my head hit the pillow on the other end of the house? She then counts to ten, then wets the bed and howls. I’m sure I can hear her chuckling as I tumble down the stairs to her bedroom…)
Contact me at http://theycallmemummy.com I will protect your identity. Pinkie promise.
An ode to drive-throughs
04 Sep 2012 06:09 pm
[...] Toddler did a great job writing about toddler car sleep and the science behind why a three minute car nap cancels out a three hour bed nap. Bottom line: moving them is most likely not going to work. If they fall asleep in the car, you [...]
The Dreaded “Car Nap”: What It Is and 5 Ways To Avoid It | My Family Blog
13 Oct 2012 09:10 am
[...] now that she’s a little bit older I’ve changed my tune.There’s something about a car nap that transcends space and time and for some reason a three minute car nap seems like a three hour regular nap, which means that if [...]