Updated: March 19, 2016
When my first child, Emily, was born, my mother advised me not to overly hush my surroundings. “Babies are used to noise,” she’d say. “You don’t want her to expect a silent world.” If only I had listened to her wisdom. Instead of running our vacuum cleaner close to her crib while she napped, we ended up tiptoeing around and whispering like we were in a library. This shift created a home where noise became an enemy, and now, I have two of the most light-sleeping kids on the planet. Living in a one-story ranch house, where their bedrooms are right next to the living areas, has turned our home life into quite the challenge.
For any parents facing similar situations, I feel for you! Here are some helpful tips for coping:
- Time Your Movements with the HVAC System
When the furnace or air conditioner kicks in, it’s your cue to hustle! Get any noisy tasks done while it’s running, but be quick! You never know when the noise will stop, and when it does, you’ll need to freeze. Who knew that something most people ignore could be so crucial for parents of light sleepers? The alternative? Utter and complete silence—yikes. - Stop the Microwave Early
Terminate the microwave before it beeps at the end of its timer. That sound is like a siren for light sleepers, and it’s as if the microwave thinks you’ve wandered off to the neighbor’s house while heating up your leftovers instead of standing right there! - Avoid Floorboards That Creak
Familiarize yourself with the squeaky spots in your floorboards and steer clear of them, even if it requires some acrobatic maneuvers to navigate from room to room. There’s a loose board by the bathroom sink? Stand back and lean at a 45-degree angle while brushing your teeth—it’s your new fitness regimen. - Watch TV at Volume 1
You’ll likely find that you’ve grown accustomed to this near-silent level. When friends visit and crank the volume to a heart-stopping level 6, kindly remind them that they’ll either need to read lips or borrow your headphones—yes, you have two pairs! - Invest in a Sound Machine
Don’t hesitate to turn up the volume on a sound machine. Who cares if your home resembles a tropical storm? You’ll appreciate it when the kids stay asleep instead of waking up the moment you open the fridge. - Show Grace to Your Partner
Mishaps will occur, like when your partner, Mark, accidentally drops the remote, sending it crashing to the floor. Before you shoot him a death stare, remember that you once popped open a soda can and woke the baby just moments later. We all have our clumsy moments!
You might think that families with light sleepers should avoid close living quarters. However, in my experience, no amount of insulation or flooring can completely muffle the sound of a light sleeper. If you shift too loudly in your squeaky bed, your little one will hear it. So, maybe consider vacuuming under your sleeping newborn!
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In summary, living with light-sleeping kids comes with its unique challenges, but with a few adjustments, you can make it work. Embrace the chaos, and remember to have some fun along the way!