From The Confessional: Reflections on the Bedtime Circus

pregnant woman in black shirt holding her bellylow cost ivf

Before entering the realm of parenthood, no one truly prepares you for the chaos that is bedtime—especially with toddlers and young children in the mix. Sure, people might mention it in passing, but how can they articulate the exasperating agony of those final hours when you just need your kids to go. the hell. to. sleep? Those drawn-out moments feel like a form of torture, as you become convinced that the ultimate circle of hell is filled with little ones clamoring for more water or insisting on sharing “one more thing” about Pokemon.

And now, as we find ourselves quarantined together, that precious golden hour after the kids finally drift off to sleep feels even more vital. It’s our time to reclaim a semblance of normalcy, whether it’s indulging in grown-up TV shows or savoring the snacks we actually enjoy.

Let’s be real: no one can truly grasp the grueling nature of this nightly ritual until they’ve faced it firsthand with these tiny bedtime revolutionaries. But fear not, my friends. There is a glimmer of hope. As they grow older and gain independence, the process becomes less torturous. Or, perhaps you simply start to care less about their late-night escapades, knowing they can bounce back better than before.

So, hold on tight, resist the urge to drown in the chaos, and remember that eventually, they will sleep. After all, they must, right?

Ever wonder how some parents seem to have children who sleep soundly? Meanwhile, I’m here begging my two-year-old to hit the hay at midnight. It’s exhausting, and all I want is a single night without the bedtime struggle.

Confessions of a Tired Parent

Confession #25758977: I find myself counting down to my own bedtime all day long.

Confession #25779282: Seriously, it’s ten p.m. Can you just stop needing everything?? Ugh.

Confession #25780360: At 39, I can’t even muster the energy for intimacy; I’m just too tired. Is anyone else in the same boat?

Confession #25748510: Before isolation, I thought bedtime was tough… oh my stars! I need this to end so I can take my kid out and return to a normal routine.

Confession #25778007: As parents of determined little beings glued to us 24/7, we do what we must to survive—whether that means treating ourselves to a little “mommy medicine” after they’re asleep or even tossing the bedtime routine out the window. No judgments!

Confession #25769391: It’s 5:30 PM, and my kids are napping late. Bedtime might be a disaster, but I’m relishing the quiet.

Confession #25766656: I stopped the lengthy nightly rituals with the baby and let him handle bedtime. Now, I just lay him down and kiss him goodnight. It’s amazing how much easier it is!

Confession #25761084: I don’t give a flying fig about my kids having a strict bedtime. Homeschooling is on my terms, and we all sleep in, binge YouTube, and manage schoolwork in four hours so I can enjoy some “me” time later.

Confession #25776018: The worst is when family members—kids, spouse, or in-laws—don’t grasp what “bedtime” means.

Confession #25762756: Am I the only one whose kids turn into little monsters at the mention of “bedtime”?

Confession #25760775: I wish my partner would lend a hand with the bedtime routine. He has no idea why turning on a toy in the toddler’s room is a bad idea when I’m trying to get him to sleep.

Confession #25748510: I’m still the one reminding my daughter to brush her teeth and change into pajamas, even when my partner says he’ll handle bedtime. What does he think “bedtime” means??

Confession #24937024: Do your thing, sister-in-law, but don’t expect me to change how I parent just because you do it differently. Yes, I believe my under-three kids need a bedtime, even if they miss out on late-night happenings.

Confession #24486676: We’ve all reached that point—sometimes multiple times a week—where we feel like we’re losing our minds.

Confession #25777193: My 2.6-year-old fights sleep like it’s the end of the world. I just spent two hours coaxing her to sleep, and I’m about to snap!

Confession #25755331: My mom thinks I’m calm and have boundaries with my 21-month-old. She doesn’t see me at bedtime when I’m on the verge of a meltdown. Why do kids resist sleep so much?!

Confession #25749114: I turn into a monster at bedtime.

And you’ll do just about anything to get them to sleep. Why does my carefully crafted routine sometimes work like magic and other times end in chaos? Right now, it’s one of those chaos nights, and I’m losing my marbles.

Confession #25753864: I genuinely despise bedtime; it’s a circus with the little ones running amok. Just GO TO SLEEP ALREADY!

Confession #25778665: My three-year-old has turned into a bedtime terrorist. Same schedule, no nap, and suddenly she refuses to sleep until midnight—taking away any chance I have for a breather.

Confession #25752898: I can’t take it anymore! It takes three hours to get these kids down, and they keep popping back up. I’m losing my mind!

But hey, here’s the silver lining! They won’t stay three forever. One day, they’ll stop fighting you so much. Someday, they might even put themselves to bed. Hard to believe, but it’s true.

Just the other night, my three-year-old pushed me away halfway through our routine and said, “You can go now! I’m not even sad about it.” I love her to bits but am thrilled she’s becoming more independent.

Confession #25755850: I used to lay with my kids until they fell asleep and then sneak out. One night, I’d had enough of their shenanigans after an hour of jacking around. I walked out, they cried for a minute, and now bedtime is so much easier!

Confession #25750159: DD9 made me laugh so hard at bedtime that it took us 15 minutes to stop giggling before we could read a story. I hope she remembers these moments when she’s older.

So yes, bedtime is pretty much the worst. It’s right up there with potty training and figuring out meals they’ll eat on the “what makes parenting feel like a never-ending struggle” list. Just remember to hang in there—this is a phase, and you’ll only have to do it around 987,000 more times.

For more insights on parenting, be sure to check out this blog post or explore helpful resources like March of Dimes for pregnancy information. And if you’re looking for a reliable insemination kit, visit Make a Mom for options that can aid your journey.

Keyphrase: bedtime struggles with toddlers
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]

modernfamilyblog.com