As a mom, I’ve been running on fumes for what feels like a decade. Honestly, I’ve lost track of the years. Like many parents, I find myself in a constant state of sleep deprivation. It’s a miracle we keep it together, right?
When our kids are tiny, we’re exhausted because babies have zero regard for our need for a solid eight hours; we’re now slaves to their whims. Yet, we hold onto this foolish hope that once they start sleeping through the night, we’ll finally catch up on rest. My youngest is now four, and I’m still waiting for that refreshing sleep.
By around 6:30 PM, I’m yawning like there’s no tomorrow, but there’s still so much to tackle—cooking dinner, cleaning up, helping with homework, bathing the kids, and following through with the bedtime routine. Giving in to my fatigue isn’t an option. My husband, however, effortlessly suggests I “just go to bed,” and off he goes, snoring away in mere minutes.
I can’t help but envy his ability to simply turn off the day like a light switch. Every night, I vow to myself that I’ll get a good night’s sleep. Yet, as soon as I make my way to the bedroom, a series of interruptions begin.
Here’s how it usually goes:
- I head upstairs, but then I wonder, did I lock the front door? Back downstairs I go.
- I pass the bathroom, notice some clothes on the floor, and take them to the laundry room—because clearly, my family thinks the floor is a hamper.
- I spot my son’s favorite T-shirt and remember he’ll want to wear it tomorrow. So, I start a load of laundry, convinced I’ll sleep as soon as it’s going.
- I see the dog’s water bowl is empty. I refill it.
- What’s that smell? Oh right, it’s the trash. I better take it out before the morning greets me with that delightful aroma.
- While I’m at it, I remember we’re low on trash bags, so I pull up my grocery list. Did I forget anything? Oh yeah, a can of hair spray.
- Wait, didn’t the kids need to bring canned goods for school tomorrow? I rummage through the pantry and stuff cans into their backpacks.
- While I’m at it, I remember I need to sign my son’s homework folder. Gotta do that now so I won’t forget in the morning.
- I set the backpacks by the front door and then think, did I lock the back door?
- As I check, I trip over a lone shoe and decide to find its match to avoid a morning scramble.
- In the process, I step on something sticky. I head to get paper towels and realize we need a new roll.
- While I’m in the laundry room, I notice there are only 10 minutes left in the wash cycle. I’ll find something to do for those 10 minutes before bed.
- I clean up the mess, then decide to unload the dishwasher while I wait for the clothes.
- Since I’m in the kitchen, I might as well pack the kids’ lunches. The washer beeps, but I finish making sandwiches.
- I go to switch the laundry and see a load in the dryer wrinkling. Ugh. I can’t leave my husband’s work shirt in there.
- I fold the laundry and think it wouldn’t hurt to lay out the kids’ clothes for school tomorrow.
- Finally, I’m heading to bed… but wait, I still have to brush my teeth, wash my face, and apply my wrinkle cream that promises to make me look fresh, as if I’ve actually slept.
Ironically, despite my exhaustion, I often find myself wide awake once I hit the pillow. I think, “I’ll just check my email quickly,” but somehow that spirals into scrolling through Pinterest and Facebook, taking pointless quizzes like “Which Disney Character Are You?”
Meanwhile, my husband snores beside me—loudly. It’s like he’s trying to inhale the curtains, which doesn’t help my quest for sleep. Then it hits me: didn’t we just get a notice from the cable company about a late payment? Maybe I should check…
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In summary, the struggle to simply go to bed is a nightly battle filled with distractions and responsibilities, leaving many parents like me exhausted yet unable to rest.