It’s nearing midnight, and my three children are finally asleep. The dog is curled up on the bed, dreaming peacefully with her tail wagging occasionally. Meanwhile, I’m sitting up in bed with my tablet in hand, while my husband snoozes soundly beside me. I’m tempted to hit Play and dive into another episode of The Crown.
My eyelids feel like they weigh a ton, and I could easily drift off if I allowed myself to lie down completely. By 9 p.m., I’m usually running on empty from the demands of work, parenting, and managing our household. Yet, despite my exhaustion, I resist the urge to close my eyes because my desire for “Me Time” often outweighs my need for sleep.
The serene quiet of a house at night is pure bliss for me. No one is asking for anything, no one is crying or yelling, and no one is tugging on me or making comments about my appearance. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind, forget the chaos of the day, and indulge in a book, a show, or a long, hot shower. I love being the only one awake in my home after hours—and I know I’m not alone in this.
My mom friends and I often joke about our late-night text exchanges at 1 a.m. because we’re all wide awake. While sometimes the mental load keeps our minds racing, more often than not, we choose to stay up. After a day packed with work, volunteering, and caring for our families, we find ourselves touched out, talked out, and craving some time to zone out alone. Sleep may call to us, but carving out a moment for ourselves is just too tempting.
So what do we moms do when the house is quiet? Here’s a glimpse into our late-night escapades:
- Scrolling through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
- Sighing over Pinterest recipes we know we won’t actually make.
- Browsing home décor websites looking for the perfect rug.
- Filling our shopping carts with luxury towels and comfy yoga pants, only to abandon the purchase.
- Shopping for everything on Amazon Prime.
- Ordering groceries via Instacart because who has time for a grocery run?
- Getting everything from Costco that we couldn’t find on Instacart.
- Catching up on our favorite family vlogs on YouTube.
- Watching those oddly satisfying pimple-popping videos.
- Binge-watching two movies back-to-back.
- Getting lost in a Netflix series.
- Folding laundry while continuing our Netflix binge.
- Listening to our favorite podcasts.
- Enjoying a long, uninterrupted shower.
- Doing a face mask without anyone peeking at us like we’re monsters.
- Relishing the fact that NO ONE is touching us.
- Diving into a favorite book or blog.
- Going through the countless saved posts on Facebook.
- Reading articles about clean eating.
- Contemplating a vegan diet.
- Ultimately deciding against going vegan.
- Indulging in all the non-vegan Girl Scout cookies.
- Treating ourselves to ice cream and our secret stash of chocolate or chips without sharing.
- Making a list of dream vacation spots.
- Jotting down to-dos for the next day.
- Sifting through thousands of photos on our phones and tearing up over how fast our kids are growing.
- Fantasizing about intimacy but feeling relieved that we can just enjoy the quiet.
- Writing creatively.
- Crocheting a new project.
- Tackling crossword puzzles.
- Texting with friends who are also indulging in late-night snacks while binge-watching This Is Us.
As you can see, our late-night rituals resemble a solo pajama party. Forget the advice about getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep; I’m more interested in my own company. Sure, I’ll be tired in the morning and probably complain about it, but I know that a strong cup of coffee or a hefty Diet Coke will help me through the day.
Eventually, when the kids are grown and out of the house, I’ll likely master the art of going to bed at a reasonable hour. But for now, I’ll be up past midnight, sporting a charcoal mask and tuning in for yet another episode of The Crown.
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Summary: Moms often choose to stay up late, craving personal time despite their exhaustion. They indulge in various activities like browsing social media, watching shows, and enjoying quiet moments without interruption. While sleep is important, many mothers find solace in late-night solitude, even if it means facing fatigue the next day.