Let’s break this down:
- Growth spurts
- Teething
- Weaning
- Pacifier weaning
- Growth spurts
- Nighttime potty training
The list goes on- is there really such thing as a normal sleep pattern for a child? With all these disruptions, how are we supposed to actually achieve a consistent sleep schedule.
Besides eating, sleep has been the biggest stressor when it comes to my kids. Are they getting enough? Why won’t they go to bed? Why won’t they sleep in? Why do they keep waking up? Are they napping enough? When should I change their nap schedule? I could go on and on, but you get it, you’ve been there before. Just as you get it down, something happens and it throws you for a tailspin- it’s infuriating.
While I might not be here telling you that I have the fix-all to get your kid on the perfect routine, and that I can fix all your problems, I am here to tell you that you are not alone. Every parent has been in these shoes before, stressing about their child’s sleep, likely while being sleep deprived themselves. It’s not an easy position to stay level headed in.
Though it might not really help you, just to hear that ‘you’re not alone’, I hope that a few words of encouragement can, and maybe a few recommendations for yourself.
Being a parent is tough. Being tired all the time is tough. Being stressed about your child is tough. Being all three can feel overwhelming. You are doing your very best, and it is okay to give yourself a little grace.
It’s ok to walk away for a minute, and gather your patience, or sanity, or let your tears out. It’s ok to let them cry for a bit. It’s ok to lay with them until they fall asleep, or let them climb into bed with you every night. It’s ok to not have mastered the perfect sleep schedule. It’s most definitely ok if you do have a well sleep-trained 6-week-old, but definitely ok if you don’t.
As best you can, give yourself a minute every day to feel your feelings. Between the endless chores, and marathon of parent duties, let yourself feel tired, frustrated, mad, or stressed, and then, if you can, try to let it go. Elsa would want you to. ;)
Your children won’t always need you to lay with them to fall asleep, or need another book before bed. They won't always sneak out of their bed for one more drink. They won’t always need to be rocked to sleep, or comforted in the middle of the night. You won’t always be in this boat.
1 comment
THANK YOU! I am so tired of raising a baby and fulfilling the world’s expectations at the same time! Do this, don’t do that, you’re going to the party with a child? oh, why aren’t you coming?! – all the time! The best things that happened to us was sleep training. I know it may be hard to understand but finally we’ve had time for each other and all our schedules were half-empty…I really can see the positives here!