Benjamin Franklin once wisely declared, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Sweet sentiment, Ben. But let’s be real: if you define “healthy” as perpetually sleep-deprived and “wise” as constantly battling mommy brain, then sure, he’s spot on.
For parents with kids who wake up at the crack of dawn, the feelings that come to mind are more like tired, drained, and utterly fatigued (and trust me, there’s no time for rhymes when you’re bleary-eyed). My little ones are early birds, rising well before 6 a.m. each day.
Luckily, they wake up in good spirits. The baby often gurgles “da da, ba ba,” while my toddler serenades her dolls with impromptu songs. Adorable, right? But just before I peel my eyes open to face the clock, I hold onto a glimmer of hope: “Maybe today they’ll sleep in a bit.” Spoiler alert: it’s 5:45 a.m. again. I shut my eyes once more and mentally curse the universe.
The struggles of having early risers are unique, and only fellow parents in the same boat can truly empathize. Here’s a glimpse into our world:
1. The Early Morning Dilemma
There’s little to do at this ungodly hour. Sure, I know I’m not alone in navigating these mornings, but why do all the fun places—like stores, museums, and zoos—wait until 10 or 11 to open their doors? If kids were in charge, everything would kick off at the crack of dawn. Confession time: the kids and I often hit the grocery store at 7 a.m. It’s the only place that opens early! Plus, fewer shoppers means less judgment over my cart full of sugary snacks.
2. Activities Before 8 a.m.
By the time the clock strikes 8, we’ve already tackled breakfast, played with toys, read books, and even watched a full Disney movie. I’ve never envied Sleeping Beauty more! Sadly, our outdoor playtime is often limited due to the darkness that lingers for much of the year (don’t even get me started on Daylight Savings Time).
3. Naptime Conflicts
When your baby is up before 6 a.m., she’s ready for her first nap when most other kids are just waking up. I have to carefully navigate her awake time until 8:30 a.m., which is quite the feat. You know it’s an extra early day when she’s had a great nap and is up again before Live with Kelly and Michael. So while my kids are snoozing, others are playing—good luck with playdates!
4. Mealtimes Are Out of Whack
With breakfast consumed by 6:30 a.m., lunch at 10 a.m., and dinner at 4 p.m., our schedule is dictated by those early wake-ups. By 3:30, you’ll likely find me whipping up dinner, and we’re usually done and cleaned up by 5:30. It’s all about survival, right?
5. Bedtime Battles
While other children are still outside playing, my kids are ready for bed by 7 p.m. because they’re completely wiped out. We end up missing most evening gatherings. I’ve heard the advice countless times: “Just push their bedtime later; maybe they’ll sleep in!” Trust me, it doesn’t work that way. Early risers are hardwired to wake at the same time, no matter how late they go to sleep.
6. Laughing at Friends’ Early Waking Woes
When friends complain about their kids waking up at 8:00 a.m., I can’t help but laugh (unless I’m tempted to slap them). Seriously, I haven’t slept in past 8:00 in years! “Sleeping in” in my house means 7:00 a.m. at the latest, and those days are as rare as a unicorn sighting. Ironically, on those rare mornings, even when I want to sleep in, I’m wide awake, shocked by the still-snoozing kiddos.
So, how do we cope with this early rising chaos? Just remember that someday, your teenagers will need to be dragged out of bed. The silver lining? You’ve only got 10+ more years of this exhausting schedule to endure. Until then, stock up on caffeine during those 7 a.m. grocery runs—you’ll definitely need it!
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Summary
This humorous piece highlights the unique challenges faced by parents of early-rising children. From the struggle to find activities before 8 a.m. to the disorienting mealtimes and sleep schedules, it captures the fatigue and camaraderie shared among those navigating these dawn-loving kiddos. With a light-hearted tone, the author shares relatable anecdotes and encourages resilience in the face of early mornings.