You know as a teenager I could sleep like no ones business. Obviously I always stayed up far too late (I was a teenager after all) but I could sleep until lunch time with total ease. I have to admit I really loved it.
I could never comprehend why older people were up so flaming early when they had no logical reason to be, no kids to look after and no work to go to. Nothing pressing requiring them to leave their beds at some disgustingly unnecessary early hour.
As I got a bit older I still loved my quilt as much as life itself and on the days I could get away with it I would happily slumber my days away.
Then responsibility took over and my slumbering was confined only to weekends because earning a living required me to get my backside out of bed all week long. (Being a grown up is rubbish like that!)
Then I had a baby and sleeping in became almost as unlikely as winning the lottery.
Then I had another baby straight after and I had to reluctantly admit defeat. There would be no more sleeping until noon for me until the kids were older, even if I were sick or had been up all night keeping someone else company.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to sleep in one morning. I smiled sleepily as Rob left our bedroom to entertain our offspring who have yet to realise how truly delicious sleep is. (Well generally they sleep 12 hours but I'd prefer they slept longer or I get to bed two hours earlier, the former being more likely than the latter.)
Then I lay there and tossed and turned and dozed but never actually fell asleep.
So I got up and started the day thinking nothing of it.
Fast forward to today. A repeat occurrence of the above. I snuggled under my covers for 40 minutes loving the cosiness and feeling cocooned in a wonderful snuggly world of warmth.
Willing sleep to come.
Sleep never came.
So I reluctantly got up.
My children have seriously damaged me. They have caused the part of me that can sleep like a champ to short circuit. I fear it is unrepairable.
Without even realising it I have become one of those older people who cannot sleep past 8am.
Could I be more devastated?
I am officially in mourning for my loss of ability to sleep soundly for more than 8 hours.
Yet another unexpected product of parenting that I didn't know I had signed up for.
I should have read that small print.
21 lovely comments:
ROFL!
The things we give up for our children....
Maybe we'll be able to re-learn how to sleep when our kids are teenagers. At least I hope we can....
Kids ruin everything. Plus, I think there should be an exhaustive list published of the pros and cons of having kids. Cons definitely to include ruining your sleeping patterns. And cleaning up poo. And screaming in shops. And mucking up your clean home... Need I go on? Though you know the pro list would be very long too... :)
I'm lucky if I sleep soundly for 6hours each night!
Oh isn't that the truth! I can still sleep in, but now its until MAYBE 8:30 or 9:00 if I am lucky and that is on the rare occasion that I get to sleep in. Now the the boys are sharing a room they are like two little "dueling roosters" at about 6:30am - like clockwork EVERY morning. Why haven't they learned about the true loveliness of sleeping in?
I can't believe I am first to comment!
My two dears thoroughly enjoy waking up at 6:30-7 each morning. I drag my exhausted self out of bed to tend to them and do not speak until I have a respectable amount of caffeine in my system. Then, and only then, I smile. :)
I can't sleep past 8 either! And I was definitely that kid in college who could sleep anywhere, anytime, not anymore, though. Of course, I don't have kids to attribute it to... I do have to puppies, though. I think the motivation to not step in one of their messes is enough to get me out of bed :)
Anyway... I have something for you over at my blog :)
I have total insomnia. The kids ruined my bladder at birth and so now I'm up 3 times each night to make the trek to the bathroom. And falling back to sleep after each trek is becoming more and more difficult.
Also (as if I haven't used enough of your comment space yet...), Yes, Yes, Yes, you should read the Twilight series. Now, I do kinda dig the vampires, so I'm slightly more biased, but let me tell you... More than anything, it's a love story. It's a beautiful, wonderful love story. It just happens to involve an incredibly wonderful guy who happens to be a vampire. I love it so much, that I would be more than happy to send you my extra copy of the first book (though it may take a while to get there...) if you want it. That's all :)
You know, if you get degenerative disc disease, suddenly you have an excuse to be tired all the time, and actually require the need for sleep. GUILT FREE!
Not that I am suggesting this, of course (hee hee) - I would gladly take lack of sleep over the last 2 years in a heartbeat!
However, even before my back troubles started, I have never had a problem falling right back to sleep - EVEN after a cup of coffee.
I'm gonna stop typing now. You want to hurt me, don't you?
I have so just had this conversation with Chet. I now know what my parents problem was.
It was me.
I ruined them, and now my kids are ruining us!
Great post Carol, and thanks for reassuring me that I am not alone! :)
Carol, I so feel your pain on this one. I am ruined. I can't sleep. Although every morning that my little one wakes me, I am sure that I could sleep another three hours. Oh well. It sure doesn't help that I am up blogging till the wee hours and not in bed earlier.
Yes, that is me too! It's not fair at all! But there is hope...my mom said now that all her kids are gone, old habits are back and even though she has to get up an work during the week, she has no problem sleeping in late on the weekends. There is hope after all!
I can't seem to sleep past 7:00. Seth was just asking me how on earth we were ever able to get up and be at work at 4:30 am all those years ago, and I honestly have no idea. I really hope you get the wiring fixed, sometime before the kids become teenagers who will be out until all hours and you'll be waiting up for them.
Yep I am reprogrammed to. It sucks! Roll on 50 when my kids are all gone and I can start sleepin again!!
I updated my blog honey. Missin you lots. Dont get a phone or net till next sat!! Its pure torture. I feel like I'm missing a limb!! When It's installed I'll give you a ring. xxx
Seriously, why weren't we warned? We went on vacation and couldn't sleep passed 7:30!!! Even if I try.
Now, an afternoon nap. I could probably do that everyday if nobody was counting on me to make sure they were safe, fed, etc.
I could NEVER sleep late..
But now that I am at home. I can wake up and go BACK to sleep after a little bit. I'm so going to miss going back to work.
I soo agree with this, what happened?? I used to be able to sleep the same way. And since 2005 it's BAM! GONE! I can't do it anymore. Even given the chance. I just wake up. So sad! *sigh* and weeping with you. I miss the sleep I used to get.
Me and sleep used to be like THIS!
Now...not. so. much.
How I miss those days of sleeping in til 1 in the afternoon.
Don't judge.
It was bliss.
And if I knew then what I know now...there would have been more of it.
I completely understand about not being able to sleep in now.
I didn't read the fine print either.
Darn kids.
I am so there with you! I could have been a professional sleep in person if there ever was one but not any more. If hubby gets up with baby then I hear them playing and there is no more sleep for me.
It has also made me sad. Glad to know that I am not alone in my mourning.
Ha! Too true!!
I swear when Spanky can finally sleep through the night, I will be getting up at 3 am for water and not able to fall back asleep ;)
That's happened to me too & makes me SO angry! Whenever the kids are gone I'm up at 6 - yuck!
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