Momsomnia: Reclaiming Your Rest
I feel like my sleep completely unraveled when I had kids. It often feels like sleep takes a backseat to the demands of raising kids. Even when your little ones finally start sleeping through the night, you might still find yourself battling what I call "momsomnia." You know the scene: the house is quiet, the kids are tucked in, and instead of drifting off, you’re caught between the allure of Netflix and an overwhelming desire for solitude.
Momsomnia creeps in when you start to delay bedtime to reclaim precious moments of quiet—those stolen hours when the kids are tucked in tight and you finally get a little relief from the constant pressures of parenting. But instead of drifting off yourself, you’re wide awake, your brain seemingly on alert ready to tackle life’s puzzles.
Now, let’s break it down:
The Origins of Momsomnia:
Imagine this: You’ve navigated the parenting trenches, from midnight feedings to diaper changes and impromptu puppet shows. Your body —like the finely tuned organism it is —has become a full functioning alarm system, prepared for all sorts of nocturnal adventures.
So, when the house finally falls silent, it’s like your system is on high alert, waiting for the next call to action. You find yourself stuck in a cycle of waiting, with a cup of chamomile tea and a mental checklist that seems to grow longer by the minute—laundry, to-do lists, and yes, even pondering the grander questions of life. Result? You become sleep-deprived. While your little ones may be sleeping through the night, you are now not.
Momsomnia vs. Insomnia:
It’s important to differentiate momsomnia from insomnia:
Insomnia: That’s when you struggle to fall or stay asleep, despite your best efforts to stick to a sleep schedule.
Momsomnia: It’s more like willingly staying up late because, hey, the universe is finally quiet! You’re not necessarily battling sleep itself; you’re contending with the irresistible draw of uninterrupted time.
The Cure for Momsomnia:
Balance, my friend. Balance is the North Star guiding you through this constellation of challenges. Here are some strategies to help reclaim your rest:
🌟 Dedicate Decompression Time: Set a firm end time for your daily activities. Use an alarm if needed—a gentle reminder from technology that it’s time to wind down.
🌟 Phone Scroll Alert: If you’re scrolling through your phone, set an alarm to remind you to put it down. Avoid falling into the black hole of social media that keeps you up way past your intended bedtime.
🌟 TV Auto Play Prevention: Disable “auto play” on your TV. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself binge-watching intergalactic dramas until dawn.
🌟 Sync Your Schedules: Ensure your little ones have a consistent bedtime. Their schedules can help you align your own. If they go down at a consistent time each night, you will have a predictable amount of time to yourself before bedtime.
🌟 Remember Your WHY: Why do you need more sleep? Maybe it’s sanity, productivity, or simply the joy of waking up without feeling like you’ve been run over by a truck.
🌟 Write a Reminder: A simple note that reads “Sleep = Energy” can serve as a constant reminder of why a good night’s sleep is so essential. Stick it on your fridge or tattoo it on your wrist (okay, maybe not the tattoo part).
Final Thought:
Take back your sleep, my fellow parent. You deserve both peaceful nights and energized mornings. It’s all about finding that delicate balance and prioritizing your rest amidst the whirlwind of parenting.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. We’re all navigating the rhythms of life together. If you’re seeking support or just need to connect, don’t hesitate to Contact us. 🌟
