I always remember how much I used to love my sleep pre-kids. I was one of those children who asked to be put to bed when I was tired and I loved my lie ins at the weekend. I didn’t particular always enjoy living in halls of residence at Uni as it was so noisy and I struggled to sleep a lot. I remember being so unwell, as I was often just so rundown. Sleep is so important!
You just take it for granted you can sleep when you want before you have kids. You are free. No one is going to wake you up apart from if you can be bothered to set an alarm. If you fancy a nap, off you go.
Then you have children.
I remember bringing the gremlin home after she was born; overwhelmed and exhausted after being in labour for 36 hours and getting about 4 hours sleep the night before. That girl led us into a sense of false security and slept the first night. Then we were in for hell for a few days, as she sorted out her feeding, my milk came in and we formed some sort of routine with it all. I remember thinking will I ever sleep again? I used to dread going to bed thinking what time will she sleep tonight? Will she wake up lots? Can I DO THIS? WHAT HAVE WE DONE???
It was such a massive shock to the system. I started to fantasise about sleep. Hubby and I argued about sleep. I probably dreamt about sleep.
I spoke to Joy Richards, who is the sleep specialist at Happy Beds and she told me that a good mattress is absolutely essential at this stage of life. I couldn’t agree more – I was so glad we spent well when we bought a mattress, as who knew I would want to spend more time on it?
I was so glad we pondered when we were on the hunt for mattresses from Happy Beds, as who knew I would want to spend so much time lying on it? As an early riser myself as a child my Mum was thankful either my 6am riser Dad or Grandad got up with me. As my husband also wants to sleep, I do not have that luxury and 7am is a lie in.
It’s funny though. I went from being a girl who survived on 8-9 hours when I was pregnant, to realising I could manage on 7 or less. I functioned and I managed, even when I went back to work and the gremlin decided she wanted to scream every night for milk or get every cough under the sun.
Little Piglet appeared a few years later and I didn’t even bat an eyelid. Of course I was tired but I was in the routine. I was used to sleep being something I only got on my eldest’s terms. It wasn’t such a shock to the system and although I was tired, I could cope.
You adjust and although I still dream of sleeping, hubby and I go away for weekends and end up waking up early! Long lie ins are a thing of the past and although I miss my sleep and do obsess now and then, it’s just different. There are some pros too! Getting up for work isn’t so hard as I do it anyway everyday! I fit in early morning work outs and sometimes I see the sun rise.
Every cloud eh?
I’m sure one day, the sleep obsession will pass and I’ll be screaming at the girls to get them up and out of bed. For now I’ll dream of the zzzzs and get the ear plugs out!
Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
Hi, yes a lie in can be a nice treat but I am more of a morning person. You can’t beat listening to the birds and seeing the sun rise. I am also seem to be more productive #BloggersBest
I’m feeling your pain! My daughter wakes up by 5.30am and my son has only got past 6am three times (he’s five). He even magically adjusts when the clocks change!
I talked about breakfast in bed the other day and Mr J just laughed at the very thought of it as a lie in in our house is about 7.30! It’s part and parcel of being a parent though! Thanks for hosting #bestandworst x
We regained sleep for a while once the Tubblet became a teenager and now it’s a real struggle to get her up. Then we got a cat who starts howling for food about 6am each and every morning. Ah well!
I don’t have kids of my own, but yeah, I’m someone who needs sleep. I can get physically sick if I don’t get enough, so if I do have children – it will be interesting to see how much sleep I need to function. LOL That’s great that you’ve gotten more used to it though and it’s less of a hassle, more of a routine. #bloggersbest
-Lauren
My sinuses always act up when I don’t get enough sleep. I feel your pain! Boy, am I glad those days are behind me now.
#bloggersbest
Oh sleep. It’s wonderful when you can get it. I miss sleep so much #bloggersbest
I never thought I would fantasy about anything until I was parent and all I think about is sleep. Having the checky nappy is the most luxurious thing ever now I an a parent X #bloggersbest
Haha this is so me. I used to love a good long lie-in. I’ve grown used to getting up early (although I do still love a lie-in) and now I get to get the teen out of bed in a morning – and he hates it! It won’t be long before my youngest is doing the same too!
Ahh yes sleep. Oh how I miss an unbroken nights sleep. Luckily Elarna has started to sleep fairly well again so I’m surviving on about 6 hours at the moment wahoo! It’s funny how you get used to less sleep though isn’t it. #BloggersBests
They don’t give mums to be enough preparation for the lack of sleep that comes with the birth of the tiny humans! 🙁 Thinking back to the that hell makes me really think twice about trying for baby no2! Haha
I still remember those days. I’d take any opportunity to get any kind of sleep I could. I definitely don’t miss them. But, over time, you do kinds of get used to them, a bit.
I have friends who say they’ve “gotten used to it”. I still can’t imagine! Sweet Girl started sleeping the night at 3 WEEKS old (sleeps average of 13 hours/night + 2+ hour nap). My second, Pip, was not as easy as a Newborn. He caught a cold at 3 weeks old which made the first 8 weeks a living hell. I did not “get used to it”. I was miserable, depressed, overwhelmed and exhausted. He “finally” started sleeping through the night at 2.5 months old and I was beyond grateful. He does occasionally wake early (6 30), but for the most part, he sleeps until I wake him shortly after 7. We practice gentle sleep training (I just kicked off a series about it, https://www.hampersandhiccups.com/different-baby-personalities/) What I wouldn’t do for a good 13 hour sleep, though!
#bloggersbest
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
Oh yes I’d like to sleep too! Wouldn’t that be a treat?! My Mothers Day “lie in” was until 7.30am yesterday and I’m not even joking when I say that was a luxury ….zzzz #bloggersbest
Reading this while currently functioning on the least sleep I’ve ever had in my life…Just. Need. To. Sleep! #bloggersbest
Zach was a brilliant sleeper until Christmas when he decided he didn’t need naps any more. He now wakes up to 5 times a night and needs to be cuddled to sleep. I am determined to sleep train him again during the Easter holidays: wish me luck! #bloggersbest