This post is for any and all tired moms out there. Let’s get over the belief that it is not okay for us to acknowledge that we are tired. Let’s stop feeling guilty if we need some down time. This letter is for you. I’m going to be taking my own advice so if you need me, you know where to find me. 🙂
Dear Tired Moms,
I’m not sure who came up with the idea that it is not okay for moms to get tired, but I’m tired of feeling guilty for being tired. (Are you following me?) I am giving you permission to do something that most of us probably should have done a long time ago: Take a Nap! Being a mom is ridiculous on most days and exhausting on our best days. It is okay to be tired!
Here are a few things that I have discovered over the years of being a wife and mother:
1. I have 4 boys and my house will never be spotless, and if it is pretty clean then you can be certain that the kids are not home, or have been tied to a chair in their bedroom. (kidding, kidding…no I have never tied my children to a chair). And you can bet I am exhausted or getting down on myself for not being able to keep up. I need to quit feeling guilty about not living in a palace and realize that there will be years and years in my life when I will miss the fingerprints on the fridge and even the laughter that comes from a toddler destroying an entire box of tissues. It’s okay to let a few things go and take care of what matters most, which is the happiness and health of ourselves and our family.
2. I can clean and clean and run and run but if I don’t take the time to get the rest I need, I can be replaced by a hideous beast that is unleashed when no one is expecting it. It’s not pretty. A really not-nice mom shows up at our house and I am actually less productive than if I had just taken a 15 minute power nap to recharge. We all know how a toddler gets when they are overly tired. Well, guess what? It can happen to us as well!
3. If I don’t get enough rest, I really do cry over spilled milk…and cereal, crackers, fruit snacks, rice, LEGOs, dinosaurs, puzzle pieces, stuffed animals, blocks, Hot Wheels, Wii Remotes, Little People sets, books, back packs, and even dirty socks. It’s all just too much for a tired mom to handle!
But in all seriousness, I have seen first-hand the effects of letting our bodies and minds get overly-exhausted and it is not fair to us as mothers and it is not fair to our families. Just about a year ago I pushed myself to my breaking point and I have now vowed to never let that happen again. I don’t want to see that mom come back. I don’t want my kids to see that mom come back.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and emotional, maybe you really need to look at the amount of sleep you are getting. So many things can be made better by getting an ample amount of rest. If you really can’t get the time in for a nap, at least make sure you are getting plenty of sleep at night. I definitely don’t get a nap every day, but I am getting better at recognizing those days where just 15-20 minutes of sleep would make a huge difference. Just whatever you do, don’t feel guilty if you are feeling low on mental fuel and need to take a brain break. A rested mom, is a much happier mom. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
Do you take a nap during the day?
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I did when my kids were young but these days I rarely nap. Not because I’m not tired, if I nap it’s almost impossible for me to sleep at night. I’m awake until 1 or 2 in the morning and then I’m even more exhausted the next day.
Yeah, that is a tough one. I am typically up until around 1am every night anyway so a quick nap often is a must.
So true thank you for sharing so other Moms don’t feel like they are alone. I especially chuckled at number 2! That’s me….! Stopping by from Good Tips Tuesday over at Golden Reflections Blog.
I think we all just need to realize that even superman needs a break every once in awhile. 🙂 With all of the responsibilities that moms have, of course we are exhausted. Thanks for stopping by!
I have to admit that I nap more than I should and only have two boys above the age of 3. I couldn’t imagine double them LOL you deserve a million times more naps than I!!
sleep moms, you need it, and your kids need you to have sleep too!! lol
Haha! It doesn’t matter how old they get, they are still exhausting. 🙂 And, yes, I am a much better mom when I am not tired.
I don’t nap often, but some days I put my four year old in bed with me and ask her to please just sit there, don’t move, and just watch her kindle while mommy closes her eyes. She does it, laying there watching MLP (thank you, Netflix!) and for the next hour I gain back some energy and sanity.
I nap almost everyday!! As soon as my boys go down for nap(thankfully my 2 and 1 year old nap together!!)! My body is just too tired to do anything. With or without a full night sleep. They are just so busy during the day!!
I hear you! My boys no longer take naps but now I find myself making them have quiet time just so I can get a quick rest in. It doesn’t always work, but I definitely try!