Benjamin Franklin once mused, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Cute sentiment, Ben, but if you consider chronic sleep deprivation “healthy” and the foggy haze of mommy-brain “wise,” then you might be onto something. For parents of early risers, the reality is more accurately depicted with words like exhausted, drained, and fatigued—no time for rhymes here!
My kids are early birds—up before 6 a.m. every day. Thankfully, they wake up with cheerful spirits. My baby babbles “da da, ba ba,” while my toddler sings to herself and plays with her dolls. Sweet sounds to wake up to, right? But before I fully open my eyes to check the clock, I wish for a miracle: “Maybe they’ve slept in a bit today?” Nope. It’s 5:45 a.m. I shut my eyes again, silently groaning.
Coping with Early Risers
Coping with early risers presents a unique set of “challenges” that only fellow parents can truly understand. Here are just a few:
- Limited Morning Activities: It’s baffling that while my kids rise before dawn, most places like stores, museums, and zoos don’t open until 10 or 11 a.m. If kids were in charge, these spots would open at the crack of dawn. In truth, my kids and I often hit the grocery store at 7 a.m.—it’s the only place available. Plus, fewer shoppers means less judgment about the less-than-healthy snacks in my cart.
- Running Out of Things to Do: By 8 a.m., we’ve usually done breakfast, played, read books, and even watched a full Disney movie. I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy for Sleeping Beauty. Outdoor play is often off the table since it’s still dark outside for much of the year (don’t get me started on Daylight Savings Time).
- Nap Time Mismatches: If your baby wakes before 6 a.m., they’re ready for their first nap while most kids are just rolling out of bed. I have to skillfully keep my baby awake until 8:30 a.m., so she doesn’t crash too early. It’s a good day when she’s awake before the morning talk shows start. So, while my kids nap, others are wide awake, making playdates a logistical nightmare.
- Meal Times Are Ridiculously Early: Breakfast at 6:30 a.m. means lunch at 10 and dinner by 4 p.m. It’s just how our schedule rolls. By 3:30, you may find me prepping dinner, and we’re often cleaned up by 5:30. Why so early? Because…
- Bedtime Comes Before Sunset: Despite neighborhood kids playing outside, my crew begins their bedtime routine by 7 p.m. because they’re simply worn out. We often miss evening events. I’ve been advised to shift their bedtime later, hoping they’d sleep in. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work! Early risers are wired to wake at their regular time, irrespective of when they go to bed.
- Laughing at Friends’ “Early” Wake-Up Complaints: If a friend shares they’re struggling with a child up at 8:00 a.m., you might find yourself chuckling (because slapping them would be rude). What I wouldn’t give to sleep in until 8! In our house, “sleeping in” means 7 a.m. at best, and those rare mornings leave parents wide awake in shock, unable to go back to sleep.
So, how do you navigate these early-morning trials? Remind yourself that most teenagers need to be dragged out of bed. Good news: you only have a decade more of this early rising. Until then, make sure to stock up on caffeine during your 7 a.m. grocery runs. You’re going to need it!
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Summary
Parenting kids who wake up early can be a challenging and exhausting experience. From limited morning activities and mismatched nap times to ridiculously early meal schedules and bedtime routines that start before sunset, early risers create a unique set of hurdles. However, with some humor and a healthy dose of caffeine, parents can navigate this phase until their little ones finally sleep in.
Keyphrase: parenting early rising children
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