It begins promptly at 7 a.m. The baby’s cries pierce through the silence, and as my feet touch the floor, my immediate thought is, “Ugh, I didn’t sleep nearly enough. Again.” I squint at the clock and see that I managed a meager five hours of sleep last night. This is frustrating, but I can’t complain too much; it’s a familiar routine, mostly of my own making. My hair has a hint of gray, a sign that I should know better than to stay up late scrolling through social media and binge-watching my favorite series. And yet, here we are.
I yawn deeply, already regretting that extra episode I watched. Time to tackle the day, armed with my proverbial Big Girl Panties. I brew a pot of coffee, prepare lunches, and the day starts moving forward rapidly. I can’t even tell if I’m riding the train of productivity or standing in front of it, but I’m hoping caffeine will provide some assistance.
The kids are in full swing—tugging at my clothes, scattering bacon across the floor, and bickering over whether to watch Moana or Sing. I feel like pulling my hair out, but instead, I manage a smile and pull my pants up higher. It’s not their fault I stayed up too late with a fictional character.
In that chaotic moment, I promise myself (again) that tonight will be different. I’ll turn off my phone, close my eyes, and finally catch up on years of lost sleep. My kids deserve a rested mom, and I crave that sleep. It seems logical that after longing for bedtime all day, I’d take full advantage of the opportunity to sleep when the kids finally settle down.
But here’s the kicker: when the kids are asleep and the house is quiet, that’s when I find my second wind. My brain kicks into high gear as if saying, “Hey, this is your time!” Bedtime becomes a precious window to engage in grown-up thoughts and activities without constant interruptions for apple juice or tiny shoes.
We all need sleep, but we also crave those moments of solitude. The hours in the day don’t allow for both, leaving many of us torn between rest and personal time. It’s a peculiar dichotomy—one voice yearning for sleep and another scoffing at the very idea of it.
Exhaustion is multi-faceted for parents—physical, mental, and emotional. Sleep addresses only part of the equation. To recharge, we often opt to stay up late, claiming those rare moments of peace. So yes, even though I think about sleep all day, when evening arrives, I’m likely to stay awake yet again. Why? Because I’m a mom, and I embrace the beautiful chaos of my life, even when it means being perpetually tired.
Moms everywhere can relate, raising their coffee cups high in solidarity. If you’re interested in more on navigating motherhood, consider checking out one of our other blog posts here or explore this resource for insights into pregnancy and home insemination. For those considering options for starting a family, check out CryoBaby for trusted home insemination kits.
In summary, moms often fantasize about sleep throughout the day but find themselves awake at night, choosing solitude over slumber. The struggle between needing rest and seeking personal time continues to be a balancing act, leaving many exhausted yet fulfilled.