Sleeping In When You Become A Parent

Being Friday, I sometimes reminisce about weekends before I became a parent, so here’s my little rant:

‘Sleeping In’ when you become a parent ceases to exist. There, I said it. There is no sugar coating it or beating around the bushes. If you enjoyed sleeping in on the weekends or on a day off till 9am or 10am or even noon, that’s all ancient history when you become a parent.

Of course, there are those rare children that I’ve heard about that sleep in until 9am and their parentsย actuallyย have to wake them up, but that is not the norm, at least not in our house.

All you other parents know exactly what I’m talking about. Our adorable little early risers who call us or cry from their cribs or beds at 5:30am or 6am, ready to start the day, sometimes even earlier! If only we could be as bright eyed or bushy-tailed as our little ones are when they wake up. Instead we try tactics like bringing them to bed with us hoping they’ll fall asleep for just a little longer. Or giving them the Ipad to play with, if they’re old enough, and hope to close our eyes for just another 15 minutes.

And if that doesn’t work, then a green tea and coffee will have to do (or a homemade Starbucks Refresher) as the kiddos are bounding with energy, ready to play and for you to cook them a big pancake breakfast.

And you know what? It’s okay. I’ve made my peace with it. I know that I will probably not be sleeping in again for a long time. In fact, I’ve actually changed what I believe sleeping in is now. To me, if my kids (both simultaneously) sleep until 7am, I am overjoyed and supremely well rested. When did you ever think that waking up at 7am would constitute sleeping in? Well, it does now.

And really, maybe your kids are just waking up so early because they are excited to see you and spend more time with you. I mean I can believe that. After all, I’m a pretty awesome mom. ๐Ÿ˜‰

So embrace the early mornings! Try and sleep a little earlier at night and enjoy that joyous cup of caffeine as you start the day with these amazing little beings that you brought into this world. If you can’t be positive about it, then what hope is there?

P.S. I’ve also heard that as the kids get older, they do start sleeping in and you actually have to wake them up. So there is hope, hang on to it, with dear life.

How do you deal with the untimely demise of ‘Sleeping In?’

15 thoughts on “Sleeping In When You Become A Parent

  1. Nice work on this. I definitely miss sleeping in, although I do get to do it on the weekends when my husband takes over. One thing I have learned to embrace is that early morning time together. I get excited to see her in the morning (12 hours apart makes me miss her like crazy), and going downstairs together to start our day and go through our morning routine now feels normal. Coffee is another thing I look forward to….but alas, if it wasn’t for my daughter, my dog would be waking us up anyways. I have found that a 9:30 pm bedtime is very helpful!

  2. How much does this ring true! My 9 month old has just taken to being a 2am party animal. Thankfully she will go back to sleep on her own, but she does wake for the day by 6am. I’m lucky if I’ve been able to go back to sleep.

    Christmas! Once she is older and any other children we are blessed with, they are not allowed out of bed til Mom and Dad get up! They can open stockings sure. But til we are up, they stay in bed. We will be getting one morning to sleep in.

  3. I have 5 under 8, and haven’t slept since 2006! Lol…sleeping in is a thing of the past. I don’t go to bed before 11:30 most nights, because it’s the only time my husband and I get to relax together, and many nights I am up working from 2-4am, just because the house is quiet and I can accomplish more in those 2 hours than any other time.
    I’ve just learned to deal with less sleep, and a pot of coffee is my cup of coffee ๐Ÿ™‚ but I cherish those sleepy, early morning cuddles, and the half-awake too soggy and somehow also too fluffy pancakes, as they will be fleeting…someday, as I lay there at 7am awake for no reason, I will miss those little voices calling my name – instead I’ll be listening to 5 (6) snoring bodies, wondering WHY am I awake?
    ๐Ÿ™‚ ModernMommyOnline.com

    1. That’s a long time not to have slept in! I have a hard time going to bed early too because once the kids go to bed, it’s the only time to get things done and hang out with the hubby.
      I know you’re right that when they’re older, we will miss the mornings with the little ones ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Salma you are right to make the most of those early morning cuddles. The time they last is all too short! Our older daughter was like your daughter and didn’t sleep through the night regularly until she was 3 or so. Both our girls are teenagers now and have been sleeping in for several years, though the older one rarely sleeps beyond about 8.30, so you may well find your daughter will be the same. Some people just need more sleep than others.

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