Tired of Being Tired
I’m in a 5 year sleep deficit. I cannot think of the last time that I got a solid full night of sleep where I woke up later than 7:30 AM, but it was definitely before I had kids. Whether it’s the hassle of getting the kids TO bed, getting them to sleep through the night, or getting them to “sleep in,” sleep is a struggle in our house and I am tired of being tired.
You Are Not Alone
To the mama who has had enough…
I know that you are wishing for a solid night of sleep, or a night where you can go to bed whenever you want.
I know that there are times that you cry yourself to sleep because your day was long and hectic and you find yourself wondering when it’s going to get easier.
I know there are days that you just don’t feel like being a mom, and the guilt from the thought cuts through you like a knife.
I know there are days when the kids do not listen to a thing you ask them to do and it drives you absolutely crazy. Maybe those are the days you think about getting in the car and driving away and then the thought makes you feel guilty again.
I know there are days that you come home from a long day at work and dream about what the days used to be like before you had kids when you actually had a minute to yourself after a work day. The times when you could come home, put on pajamas, lay in bed and watch your favorite show instead of PJ Mask and drift off into a blissful, uninterrupted nap.
I know there are days you come home from work and don’t feel like making your kids dinner so instead you make your kids a plate filled with all of the leftovers in the fridge, or pancakes, or mac-n-cheese, again, because you’re too tired to prepare anything else.
I know there are days that you let the kids watch TV all day because you have so much that you need to get done around the house. Unfortunately, screen time has replaced outdoor play time because now a days you can’t let your kids play outside alone without worrying that they’ll be kidnapped. Then, when the day is done and you settle into bed and close your eyes you feel guilty that you didn’t put the house chores aside, turn off the TV, and spend the time with your kids instead. So, your promise yourself that tomorrow you’ll be a better mom.
I know there are days that you bury your head in your phone because it’s almost an escape or an excuse not to face reality. Then you get annoyed at your kids when they interrupt your social media scrolling (as if anything on there is more important than your kids), but really they’re just begging for your attention that you’re too tired to give them. Then, again, the guilt sets in.
I know that every morning feels like you’ve run a marathon by the time you sit in your car and head to work. You’re already tired, even before your day has actually started. Your kids probably fought getting dressed, you had to wrestle your kid to change his diaper, and then they refused to eat the breakfast you made. You’ve got 5 seconds before heading out the door in the middle of the chaos to ask yourself if there was anything else the kids needed for school that day. Then, you head to work that you do or don’t enjoy so that you can provide a life for your kids that you can be proud of.
I know that if you do work, you wonder if you should have stayed home to raise your babies instead. You wonder how much you’ll regret the decision to work once their teenagers and leave the nest. All of the hard times that you dread now when they’re little will soon be distant memories and make you feel home sick when you think of them in the future. Maybe you do or don’t have a choice to stay home, but either way there will be guilt.
I know that if you do stay at home you maybe feel like you’ve lost your identity. Now, you’re just “mom,” but being “mom” is the most important job any of us could ever have.
I know you wonder how much you’re ruining your child by your outbursts or impatience because you are just so damn tired and irritable. If you’re anything like me, you probably tell yourself that your kids deserve a better mama. One who has more patience, more energy to spend playing and teaching them things without worrying about all of the responsibilities a mom has at home. There are days you feel like an absolute failure and days that you feel like you’re the best mom ever.
Regardless of how much any of this holds true for you, one thing we can all relate to is that motherhood is really freaking hard. We have to wake up every day no matter how tired or overwhelmed we feel and show up for our kids and do it over. and over. and over. again. We truly are superhuman, and if you think about all we’ve done to become mothers, and all we’ve been through since becoming mothers, you really start to believe that we are capable of achieving anything.
So, tired mama, when you feel like your world is caving in and you don’t know how you can make it any longer, just know that you are not alone. We will get through this together.
Dori Kennedy says
It’s the hardest job in the wolrd!! but also the most rewarding and least apprecaited………….you just do your best and show your kids how much you love them every single day.
Amy Jones says
As i am reading this and getting frustrated by my son asking questions about a mOvie hes in front of…. yup hitting home!
BocaHickory.Com says
Howdy, I do think your blog could possibly be having web browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I take a look at your web site in Safari,
it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it’s got some
overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with
a quick heads up! Apart from that, excellent website! https://bocahickory.com/
Annie says
I remember when our babies were first born, feeling like a zombie all the time because I couldn’t sleep through the night. Sleep deprivation is the worst! I’m so grateful we took a sleep class and they sleep through the night now because that has changed everything for me <3
Meredith says
This was so so so good and so needed! Greah one!
mandy says
This is so true!! the tiredness… ugh.. but it is sooo worth it! thank you for being so open and honest. I think we all just need to admit to it!
Erin says
Speaking the truth. Great posT!
Kaylin says
Yup! I’m that tired mama! HAHA! I love posts like this and knowing im not alone in my Tiring mothering journey. great post, friend!
Lorena @ www.lorenaylennox.com says
I Absolutely adore this post. Thank you for the encouragement for all the tired mamas out there <3
Erin @ LullabyLark.com says
This so describes me! I am definitely in a four year sleep deficit. My husband is great about letting me take naps when i need to, but a nap isn’t enough when you are this exhhausted!
Trish ~ Habibi House says
This is so true. Motherhood is so challenging. It’s true what you said, It doesn’t matter how overwhelmed or tired, the day starts again. But each day is so precious and is gone so very quickly!
Kristin says
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this. We have all been there and seeing it in black and white and coming from someone else, is so comforting. Thank you for this beautiful post! And I hope we all get some sleep soon!
Supriya says
I needed this, i amsoso tired sometimes