Here is the question for the day...is your success as a mother judged on how well your children sleep???????
Because if so, I get an F-
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Here is Thomas days after being born...sleeping peacefully
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Even though how your kids sleep shouldn't be the judge of your worthiness as a mother, sometimes it feels that way. If you notice, one of the most common questions people ask about your baby is, "So, are they sleeping through the night." If you say yes, then people always congratulate you on YOUR great accomplishment, if you say no...they usually have lots of suggestions on how to make your baby sleep better: Have them eat more food, drink more bottles, take a bath, lotion, massage, soothe, use a binky, don't use a binky, nurse, don't nurse, keep the room dark, use a nightlight, let them cry, don't let them cry, prop up their crib, let them sleep with you, never let them sleep with you and on and on and on...
I've tried them all.
Thomas is 13 months. He still wakes up.
William is 3 1/2. He still wakes up.
I am 25. I still wake up.
Mike is 27. He doesn't wake up. Unless I punch him. (He once slept through a fire alarm)
So my point is...well actually I am not sure what my point is.
Uhh, random post. I guess I am just giving a shout out to all of you mother's out there who are perputaully doomed to wake up with children. It's ok (I think?) you are not a bad mother (maybe?).
I like to think of myself as extra nice and caring, so my children just love to be with me all day and all night. Yeah, I am going to keep saying that to myself.
Extra nice and caring, I'm extra nice and caring, I AM EXTRA NICE AND CARING.
(but mostly just tired :)
7 comments:
Judi, I get an F too. Austin is two and still comes in my bed most nights. I know it is all my fault...but I'm extra nice and caring...
:)
Judi, I am so sorry about your sleep. Thomas and William are extra cute if that counts for anything.
I am sorry, because I am one of those giving all of the advise. But one thing I know for sure is that each mother has to do what she feels good about. You know your children better than anyone else. You are their mother and you are the one to protect, teach, love and nurture your family. Good luck, Mom
Judi, You are extra nice and caring. I am not...unless she's sick I'm not very tolerant of Aurora waking up in the night and I think she got the picture. It is NOT fun to be with mom in the night!
My kids sleep pretty well so I can't and I'm not complaining but I still have one or two (B&H) sneak into my bed most nights. . .I just don't realize it sometimes or if I do I just keep sleeping. I have had children sleep in bed with us. I believe do whatever you need to do to get the best night of sleep for you and for the kids. Not only is every situation different but also each kid is also different. Sometimes you need to do different things for each kid! :) So ignore what everyone says and do whatever you need to do to get sleep! Even if that means you kick Mike out to W's bed :) and you have two boys in bed with you. Moms need sleep!!! Good luck!!!
Moms do need sleep!!!! Thanks for all the comments and encouragement!
Oh my gosh!!! People ask me all the time if Jillian sleeps through the night and of course she doesn't so then they give me the "what's wrong with you?" look. I hate it. I just tell myself that she loves me so much she can't go very long without me!
I am so full of advice for about everything except for getting your kids to sleep through the night. When a new mom asks me for suggestions, I smile in sympathy and say I don't have the answers. I have had two bad sleepers. I am hoping, crossing my fingers, praying that baby number three is a good sleeper. The one thing I believe is a good sleeper, a really good sleeper, is born that way. The only advice I do have, is not to count the hours of sleep you get. Wake up in the morning and say, "Ok, we are awake." and move on with the day. It is easier that way. Joni
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