Parenting can be an incredibly exhausting journey. I find myself utterly drained. Just last night, I managed to sleep in my king-sized bed, the top bunk of a bunk bed, the smaller twin-sized bottom bunk, and even on the floor next to the crib—all between the hours of 10 PM and 6:30 AM.
I am so fatigued that I leave impressions on the hardwood floor from my midnight pacing. A pedometer might reveal that I actually burn more calories during the night than throughout the day. In fact, I definitely do, considering my nightly walks and relentless breastfeeding sessions.
My dog has even given up sleeping in my room, as he needs his rest and isn’t nocturnal like I am. My fatigue has led to some amusing blunders; I once poured orange juice into my coffee and squeezed tinted moisturizer onto my toothbrush. I even wore my pants inside out without realizing it until I noticed the confused looks from other women at my Pure Barre class.
I’ve searched for my keys in the freezer, having previously found them there after unloading groceries, and I once put my home phone in my purse while driving my kids to school. I’ve also hung up the phone after scheduling an appointment only to forget the details immediately, too embarrassed to call back.
My five-year-old recently completed a Mother’s Day project at school, listing my favorite thing as sleep and my favorite drink as coffee. It has been over two years since I had a full night of uninterrupted sleep. With a nine-month-old relying on me for milk, I’ve googled “baby sleep” over a thousand times in the past nine months.
I often feel a surge of anger when I read posts from parents who claim their child slept through the night at six weeks old, thanks to a “nighttime routine.” I find myself envious of those who have children that naturally sleep well. My collection of sleep guides has grown to over a dozen, and I recall a day when I suspect I may have grazed a parked car while my kids screamed in the back of the van. I reported it to the police, who kindly suggested I go home and take a nap instead.
With the baby on my hip, I explained to the officer that my minivan has strange dimensions, causing me to frequently bump into things. One day, I struggled to park next to the curb on an empty street while a construction worker watched my unsuccessful attempts. After several tries, I drove away to avoid further embarrassment.
My exhaustion has made small talk nearly impossible. Yesterday, when my daughter’s teacher complimented her pink Converse shoes, I mistakenly mentioned that “her husband is obsessed with shoes,” meaning of course that it was my husband who has that obsession. I find myself consuming handfuls of chocolate chips or leftover Halloween candy just to keep my energy up until bedtime.
I recognize that I have contributed to this state of fatigue myself. With three children under five, the likelihood of being woken multiple times at night is significantly high. If I’m up three times with the baby and twice with my three-year-old, that adds up quickly—conclusively proving that having three kids equates to perpetual sleeplessness.
I now understand what it means to be “bone tired.” Sleep deprivation is a form of torture, and I urgently need to implement sleep training for the baby. For those considering parenthood or looking into fertility options, we have additional resources available, such as this insightful article on navigating your journey. For expert guidance on pregnancy, you can also explore this excellent resource. And if you’re looking for tools to help with the process, check out Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit.
In summary, the struggle of exhaustion in parenting is a common experience that many can relate to. As we navigate the challenges of raising children, it’s essential to find resources and support to help manage our fatigue.
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