We were at Target, and while I can’t recall what we needed, I can vividly picture our toddler, Lily, wailing from the cart, her blonde hair in pigtails, wearing a gray shirt adorned with a rainbow. She had a binky in her mouth and one clutched in her hand, looking like a tiny tornado of chaos.
My partner, Sarah, was off shopping with our two older kids, Max and Zoe, while I was stuck navigating the aisles with a disgruntled 2-year-old whose eyes were puffy and nose runny. She kept reaching for something, but I wasn’t sure what that was. Lily had been up since 3 a.m. for no apparent reason other than to watch endless episodes of her favorite show. Now, at 3 p.m., we were both exhausted, but I was managing far better than she was.
We thought a trip to the store would be a nice distraction, but instead, it sent her into a spiral. This all began because she had been waking up frequently at night. Our attempts to cut out naps backfired spectacularly, disrupting her sleep cycle and resulting in her waking before dawn. Somehow, she had entered a state of overtiredness, transforming from a cranky toddler into a little monster who couldn’t fall asleep or stay asleep. And the entire store was treated to her melodrama.
This is life with an overtired child: random screaming, requests for snacks followed by tears over broken crackers, and a dramatic collapse onto the floor. Sometimes, I imagine that the only solution might be an exorcism, but even a priest would probably throw up their hands when faced with an overtired kid.
For those without kids, just picture this: a well-rested child is at zero on a scale of tiredness, while an overtired one is off the charts, at least an 11. It’s a confusing space that goes beyond the limits of science or reason. The only remedy is sleep, but once a child crosses into that terrifying overtired zone, it can take ages to calm them down.
I tried to soothe Lily. I picked her up from the cart, and she responded by kicking me. I let her down to walk, and she promptly melted into a heap on the floor. I offered candy, but she rejected it with a shove. Nothing I did seemed to help.
By this point, onlookers were casting judgmental glances our way. You know the type—those perfect parents who think they have it all figured out, glaring at you because your child’s tantrum is ruining their shopping experience. It’s almost amusing how pathetic they find it that I can’t manage one little toddler.
As much as I wanted to shoot them a look of disdain or explain that kids throw fits when they’re tired, I was too preoccupied. My hands were full, and I knew they wouldn’t care about my explanations anyway; they had already made up their minds about my parenting skills.
I moved to a less crowded aisle and indulged in some petty thoughts of revenge. Every parent has those moments, right? I imagined writing “FART” in my son’s first car or hiding in my daughter’s closet and causing a scene. As Lily screamed and kicked, I couldn’t help but fantasize about waking her at 3 a.m. years down the line and then being a grumpy wreck all day.
Not that I would actually take revenge on my kids for their childhood antics; it’s just a fun thought exercise. Eventually, I reunited with Sarah and the kids in the boys’ clothing section. She was grabbing some new shirts for Max, and as soon as she picked up Lily, she fell silent. Nestling into Sarah’s shoulder, Lily wrapped her legs around her waist and drifted off to sleep as if her mom were a magical sleep potion.
“What just happened?” I asked, feeling a mix of incredulity and envy.
“She just needed Mommy,” Sarah replied with a shrug, taking Lily to the van while I finished up our shopping.
We drove home in quiet, the only sound being Lily’s gentle snores. I couldn’t help but worry about the next day. I hoped she’d return to a normal sleep routine, but deep down, I had a feeling we’d find ourselves in this overtired saga again soon. Because really, having an overtired child is just one of those delightful, if exhausting, aspects of parenting.
So, if you find yourself navigating the maze of parenthood, just remember: overtired kids are par for the course—an exhausting, hilarious, and sometimes maddening experience that every parent faces. For more parenting insights, check out this post or learn about home insemination essentials at a great authority on the topic, and don’t forget to visit Progyny for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Parenting an overtired child is a wild ride filled with tantrums, judgmental stares, and the constant hope for sleep. It’s a universal struggle, and knowing you’re not alone can make all the difference.