It kicks off at 7 a.m. The baby wails, my feet hit the ground, and the very first thought that crosses my mind is, “Great, I didn’t get nearly enough sleep again.” I squint at the clock and see that I’ve racked up a whopping five hours of slumber. Ugh. But at this point, who am I kidding? This is my own doing. I’ve earned a few silver strands of hair, and I know better than to stay awake after midnight scrolling through social media and binge-watching my go-to series. Yet, here we are.
I yawn like a lion, instantly regretting that final episode of my show. Time to hop on the Struggle Bus, where visions of sleep dance in my head like elevator music for the next eight hours.
Time to Channel My Inner Superhero
As I brew a pot of coffee and assemble lunches, the day speeds ahead like an out-of-control train. I can’t even tell if I’m on board or standing in front of it, but I’m praying that caffeine will help a bit.
My kids are in peak form: tugging on my clothes, scattering bacon everywhere, and bickering over whether to watch Moana or Sing. I want to pull my hair out already, but I just grin and pull those superhero capes up a bit higher.
I can’t unleash my fatigue on them; it’s not their fault that I stayed up late with my favorite characters.
In this moment, I swear (again) that tonight will be the night I hit the hay early. The night I switch off Facebook, close my eyes, and begin to undo four years of sleep deprivation. I need my rest; my kids need a well-rested mom.
You’d think that after fantasizing about bedtime all day, I’d seize the chance when it finally arrives. You’d assume that when the kids finally settle down, I’d drag my weary self to that cozy bed, silence my phone, and drift off into dreamland.
But nope.
I don’t get it. What kind of person fantasizes about sleep only to turn it down like an unexpected call from the in-laws?
All the moms raise their hands.
Moms Get It
We know that when the kids are tucked in and the lights dim, that’s when our magical second wind kicks in. Bedtime becomes a time for our brains to kick into high gear. That’s when the midnight oil ignites. Sure, we complain about being tired, but deep down, we recognize that even when sleep is available, we often choose to forgo it.
Because nighttime is our time!
The house is quiet, and I’m free to think my own thoughts and enjoy grown-up activities without constant little interruptions needing apple juice, diaper changes, or help with tiny shoes.
We crave sleep, yet we also yearn for alone time. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough hours in the day to have both.
It may be hard to understand, but every mom has two voices in her head: one pleading for a nap and back rub, and the other rolling her eyes and saying, “Sleep is not happening, so stop trying!”
We’re all drained, but that exhaustion is layered—physical, mental, and emotional. Sleep solves only one of those issues. Parents need to recharge emotionally, so we stay up late, capturing those rare moments of peace.
So yes, I’ve been dreaming about sleep all day, but come nightfall, I’ll likely stay awake. Again.
Why? Because I’m a mom. I’m allowed to be chronically sleep-deprived and make that choice. I can be exhausted yet still revel in my chaotic, beautiful life. Those two realities can coexist.
To all the tired mamas out there, raise your venti latte and shout “Amen!”
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In Summary
While moms fantasize about sleep throughout the day, when the opportunity arises, they often choose to stay awake to enjoy some precious alone time. The struggle is real, but it’s a balancing act of exhaustion and love.
Keyphrase: Moms and Sleep Struggles
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