I wrote this back in Thailand as a bit of light-hearted fun when Jacob and I were juggling multiple naps on the go while trying to squeeze in some climbing — and having a lot of “what the actual f^ck” moments.
I never posted it at the time, but recently changed my mind. So for a bit of a lol and a reminder to never take life too seriously, keep reading!
Below is a list of somewhat ridiculous things that Kaia has either slept through or been woken up by during a nap. It’s the hilarious reality of what nap time on the go looks like — and a lot of “if you don’t laugh, you cry” moments.
It’s also one of the tools in our toolkit now — learning to handle these things and be okay when it all goes to sh^t (even when you know it’ll completely throw the day — and probably the night too).
In a strange way, I’m kind of grateful for it. Knowing we got through all those times and we’re fine — and that we’re building a strong, resilient little girl.
So here we are, 101 (okay 20) ways to wake a baby:
1. Whipper Snipper
Started out of nowhere, less than 5 metres after she’d gone down at the crag. SO loud and inconsistent — at least be loud and constant to count as white noise! She actually slept through this one… no idea how.
2. Angle Grinder
A doozy. Took a boat to Tonsai, found the perfect quiet cave nap spot. A worker decided to cut tin roofing right nearby. Loud, awful, and totally ruined her nap and our day.
3. Thunderstorm
Usually fine with rain, but tropical storms are a different story. When thunder cracks mid-nap and the cot’s out in the open, we’re basically f^ckd if it gets wet.
4. Super Loud Climbers
It’s like they appear right when she goes down. I get that it’s public space, but sometimes common sense wouldn’t go astray — maybe not have your reunion scream-fest directly above a sleeping baby?
5. Climbing Instructor (and Students)
Always seems to coincide with her 10 a.m. nap. We try to hide her near hard climbs no one does, but safety shouting inevitably starts and boom — nap’s over.
6. Groups Setting Up on Top of Us
Yes, we’re in public spaces. But also, reading the room? People blasting music, throwing gear over hers, and parking on top of our setup. We usually pack up and leave — unless she’s sleeping. Then we retreat to find a shady tree and start again.
7. Strange Lady Opening Her Tent
This one’s a new kind of stress. A very animated stranger walked up and unzipped her tent while she was asleep! Someone nearby intervened thankfully, and we camped next to her for the rest of the nap. People are wild.
8. Loud Buggy
A single bug — SO loud, SO annoying. Particularly in Tonsai. Nearly always woke her up. But seriously, a bug? You can’t help but laugh.
9. Dogs Barking
Plenty of strays around. We watch closely, especially around the tent. The barking’s common but she usually sleeps through it now.
10. Roosters
Chong Phli’s finest alarm clock. She often sleeps through it, but the anxiety spike every time you hear one crow? Real.
11. Cat Fights
Feral and frequent. Mostly harmless, but the sounds are hectic. She usually sleeps through, we usually jump in panic.
12. Team Redoing Slings
Shoutout to the legends keeping routes safe. But yeah, sometimes that means shouting down unfamiliar climbs… which is where we usually try to nap her. Oops.
And some totally absurd ones you have to laugh at or you’ll cry:
- Farting
- Bones in foot cracking
- Opening a wine bottle
- Opening a door
- Flushing a toilet
- Opening a block of chocolate
- Kicking a toy in the dark
- Trying to hold in a sneeze and nearly blowing your brains out
Honestly, the list could go on forever.
But I’ll leave it there.
If something ridiculous has ever woken your baby — hang in there. Smile that it happened. Giggle at the absurdity. And remember… there’s always another nap.
Til next time,
R
