I’ve always been a fan of sleep. Yes, partly because I am anemic and usually always tired, but I’ve always liked going to bed and taking naps. Before kids, I was the one who would always take 2-3 hour naps and could fall asleep anytime, anywhere. I literally have nicknames from friends and family that pertain to me sleeping or being sleepy. Of course after having kids, things changed — life changed. For some reason, I never thought this part of motherhood would be this difficult.
Almost every night, it’s Groundhog Day. The same things happen every. single. night.
“It’s bedtime girls.”
I hear moaning, grunting, and the words “I’m not sleepy” or “I don’t want to go to bed.”
Then everyone melts into jello and nobody moves to their bedroom.
I love sleep, but I hate bedtime.
Then all of a sudden, no one can walk anymore and I am repeating myself over and over again until either I snap and get crazy or I give up and just carry them. Depends on the day.
I love sleep, but I hate bedtime.
Each kid wants us to lay with them, so my husband and I divide and conquer with each of us laying with one of them.
Child #1 basically wants (or what it feels like) a Swedish massage to get her to fall asleep.
Child # 2 screams and cries in a massive tantrum because she doesn’t want to go to bed.
I love sleep, but I hate bedtime.
Then they decide they are so thirsty and try to drink their daily water intake right before bed.
Neither of them will stop talking, tossing or turning — any form of stalling trying to delay the process.
15 minutes go by, then 30 minutes and you’re still trying to get them to go to sleep.
I love sleep, but I hate bedtime.
You want them to go to sleep because you are so tired yourself.
You are ready to go to bed or have the alone quiet time that you long for after a tiresome day.
Some days, the bedtime meltdowns and uncooperative attitudes last longer than others.
But it happens almost every night and has been for the past 4-5 years.
On repeat. And eventually, it breaks you down.
I love sleep, but I hate bedtime.
The next thing you know, you have fallen asleep from pretending to sleep to encourage them to close their eyes and be quiet.
Or it’s a really good night and they go to bed easily and you lay there watching them sleep not wanting to leave because they are the most precious when they are sleeping and you want to soak it all in cause you know it won’t last forever.
