Welcoming a child into your life often comes with the unspoken reality of sleep deprivation. Although many people will eagerly inform you of this fact during your pregnancy, the true depths of sleep deprivation may surprise you. If you find yourself nodding along to any of the following signs, it’s likely you’re experiencing the effects of parental sleep deprivation:
- You almost used toothpaste to apply moisturizer. Or perhaps hair gel. Or even your shaving razor. If you did manage to do one of these, I genuinely feel for you.
- When your kids requested candy for breakfast, you couldn’t muster the energy to object. Sure, REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS it is. There’s protein in that, right?
- You accidentally returned the milk to the pantry and the cereal to the fridge. Those lumps? They’re just “cottage chunks.”
- You’ve dozed off while standing in the shower. Who knows, you may have even sipped on shampoo.
- You found yourself wearing your underwear over your pants. Fashion forward, aren’t we?
- You hurriedly prepped the children and sped toward school, only to realize it was Saturday. Surprise!
- You attempted to pay for groceries with your ID. I heard somewhere that you can charge household expenses to the state—just roll with it!
- You inadvertently tried to bottle-feed your infant through the ear. Don’t worry, mouth and ear are close enough, right?
- You used breast milk instead of coffee creamer. Look on the bright side; maybe you’re boosting your immunity.
- You caught yourself gently rocking a bag of flour to sleep in the baking aisle. Just toss a baby hat on it; no one will notice.
- You only shaved one leg before donning that skirt for work. Just call it Hirsutian Chic.
- You asked your partner if he needed assistance in the bathroom. After all, no one is too old for a little help.
- You searched for your glasses, only to discover they were perched right on your nose. At least you found that ant colony in your kid’s secret Halloween stash.
- You mistakenly added a cup of salt instead of sugar to the cookies for the school bake sale. You’re merely doing your part in promoting healthy eating.
- You put the car in drive instead of reverse, nearly backing into the garage. Well, perhaps it was time for a new door anyway.
- You accidentally took a muscle relaxer instead of your birth control pill. I suppose that’s one way to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.
- You forgot your own name while introducing yourself to someone new. Who says role-playing is only for the bedroom?
- You loaded all the supplies for the baby into the car, only to realize halfway down the road that you forgot one essential item: your actual baby. No worries; she won’t remember this time.
- You finally got a night out with friends and dressed to impress, only to find you wore two different shoes. Just convince your friends to switch shoes too—if they care, they’ll comply.
- You haven’t exercised since the era of leg warmers. Honestly, just the thought of working out makes you want to weep.
How did you fare? For a deeper dive into this topic, check out our other blog post about home insemination. If you’re looking for comprehensive resources on pregnancy, the CDC offers excellent information. Additionally, Make A Mom is a trusted authority on home insemination kits.
Summary
Sleep deprivation is a common struggle among parents, often manifesting in humorous and bewildering ways. Recognizing these signs can help parents find support and address their fatigue.