Crazy and funny truths about sleep and children

It’s Friday, and I’m in a let’s lighten up and laugh at ourselves sort of mood. Besides, we’d never make it through this parenting gig if we couldn’t find the humor in some of the stuff that we go through.

Since we talked about sleep this week (lack of it, more specifically), I’ve gathered some truths of mine about sleep and our children. Tell me if you agree…then please, make me laugh (or cry) and share yours too.

• Some days, we are counting the minutes until bedtime. Our eyes are constantly on the clock, and we wonder if 3pm is too early to get them in their PJs and just start the bedtime routine already! Hey, it takes an hour an a half anyway…might as well get a jump start. Then, when our little rambunctious munchkins finally close their eyes and their little bodies give in to sleep, we let out a huge sigh of relief, stare at them and wonder how the heck did this day fly by so fast?, wow look how quickly they’re growing up, and oh what angels…you get the idea.

• You’re in heaven because somehow, the stars all aligned, sleep dust was sprinkled, and voila…both your 8 month old and 3 year old are finally sleeping through the night!! Hallelujah. The very next day? Someone is sick, teething, or going through a growth spurt. It was nice while it lasted…now here we go again…from scratch. Ugh.

• You’ll never be more exhausted in your life as when you have a newborn. Never. Just won’t happen. You can’t even imagine the likes of such sleep deprivation. And I know sleep deprivation. Being on overnight call every third night during residency and not sleeping for 36 hours? It’s got nothing on the bone sucking sleep deprivation that is new motherhood. Sleep when the baby sleeps? Heck yeah. Let someone else do the rest.

• Paying your children to go to sleep actually works. Trust me. When we were having bedtime issues with our 4 and 6 year old, we starting creating reward charts for abiding by the bedtime routine and staying in bed…the whole night. Suddenly, no one wanted a drink in the middle of the night or came downstairs for the millionth time in search of a snack. I’m just saying, bribery (I mean, positive reinforcement) works. (BTW, think we need to start this up again for a certain boy who loves and has mastered the bedtime stall)

• I’m both a drill sergeant and a push over when bedtime comes around. I’m really good and adamant about getting them in their beds in a timely manner…I’m just not very good at leaving. Just one more story, stay with me until I fall asleep…more often then not, I tend to acquiesce. I’m working on it. It’s a give and take.

One day, all this crazy bedtime nonsense, bed shuffling, waking in the middle of the night, pleas of I can’t fall asleep…will be a distant memory. Right? Until then, grab those zzz’s when you can, laugh whenever possible…and do whatever works to get the best possible sleep for all!

What are your crazy/funny/sad truths about children and sleep?