Updated: July 30, 2019
Originally Published: Oct. 17, 2015
There was a time when the phrase “up all night” conjured images of wild parties, late-night study sessions, and romantic escapades. But then, my children arrived, and it transformed into something entirely different.
Just last week, our eldest, Max, returned home from college for a brief visit. His flight, initially scheduled to land at midnight, was delayed. My partner and I fell back into our old routine of sharing the sleep burden: he caught a few hours of rest while I baked brownies (why not indulge?). When it was time to head to the airport, I woke him up, and he drove while I napped. At 3:30 a.m., Max finally walked through the door. I stayed awake to reconnect with him and enjoy watching him eat, while my partner took a quick nap before work.
Maybe it was the sleep deprivation, but as Max, who’s turning 21 soon, shared his college stories, I realized he had come full circle in keeping us up all night. Instead of me reading him bedtime stories, he was now recounting his own, filled with late-night adventures—though he conveniently omitted a few details.
The following day, I found myself reminiscing over old photos of my boys as toddlers. Like most infants, neither of them was a champion sleeper—our youngest didn’t start sleeping through the night until he was two. Those sleepless nights made life hectic, but they were also rich and full of memorable moments.
There were days when I could barely string together a coherent thought, identify the stains on my clothes, or even remember if I had breakfast. I once wore mismatched shoes and accidentally tossed a bag of dirty diapers into the back of my car with my briefcase, only to discover it an hour later—the smell was overwhelming. But that chaotic phase passed, and the next one began: the teenage years, filled with late-night chats about their dreams and fears.
In the stillness of night, I’d hear, “Mom, I’m not feeling well,” or “Mom, I can’t sleep; will you read with me?” And so, our nightly vigils continued. From health issues to the excitement of snow days, there was always a reason to stay awake. The days following these sleepless nights were long, but the moments were priceless.
By the time they hit their teens, staying up didn’t require any specific reason—they were simply wired to be awake. When the noise kept me from sleeping, I decided to join them. Once, after watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with my youngest, I found myself making biscuits at 2 a.m., craving the breakfast foods showcased in the episode. We even attempted a bizarre green bean puree, but that’s a memory best left behind.
It became evident that, despite my yearning for sleep, I had a choice: to rest or to engage in their lives. It was a clear decision; I chose to stay awake and be present during their late-night reflections—even if my mind felt foggy. Some of our most meaningful discussions happened under the moonlight.
This fall, our youngest is heading off to college. I can only hope that when he returns for a visit, he’ll continue the cherished tradition of keeping his mother up all night, sharing stories that I can replay in my mind as I finally catch up on sleep when they’re both away. After all, the allure of parties, studying, and romance still calls to my boys.
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In summary, the concept of “up all night” has evolved from carefree nights of fun to a dynamic part of parenting. Each sleepless moment, whether filled with laughter or worry, has woven the fabric of our family life.
Keyphrase: Up All Night
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