Truth #20 – We can’t wait until they’re sleeping

It starts right out the gate.  Sleep is the first necessity that a mother will lose and may never get back until her babies are grown and gone.  As much as it’s true that we should sleep when they’re sleeping, it’s the only time we have a sec to ourselves and although we’re tired, we’re craving a good phone call or bitch-fest, adult television show or glass of wine. Besides, if a second baby gets thrown in the mix, you’re shit outta luck anyway.  Contrary to what you may have heard, they do not sleep at the same time, if they sleep at all.

Although I’m not there yet, I can’t imagine it getting any better once they get older.  All that inexperienced driving, questionable friendships, and lies they’ll inevitably tell!  I would imagine that a sound sleep for mommy is had only when she hears snoring in the other room or after having bolted their second floor windows shut from the outside.  In case you can’t tell, God gave me girls.

Naptime or bedtime is the only time we have to catch up.  Our kids own our freedom and although we wouldn’t have it any other way, it’s tough to find the time to do anything.  We may need to prepare dinner, pick up a mountain of toys, pay the bills or buy a damn bra that fits.  It’s impossible to do any of it when they’re asking you to play, demanding your attention or requiring your supervision.  As soon as we know our baby is asleep, we can’t help but exhale and get to steppin’ – not unlike a well oiled machine.

We all know that unwanted advice seems to just throw up all over us and therefore should be taken with a grain of salt.  It’s no secret that moms want to weigh in on their personal experiences and force feed you with their stories and convictions.  Running the risk of interfering myself, some of the best motherly advice I ever heard was offered from an experienced mom to a new mom.  It was to try to take the time to put your kids to bed.  Rock them to sleep, sing a song, read or tell a story… Do what you can to enjoy that ticking time.  Although it’s so difficult to gear up for what can sometimes be a very long and stressful process, it’s just one of the things that our kids will stop needing us for.  It’s just one more thing we’re gonna lose after a significantly short number of years.  There’s no doubt that we can’t wait for them to be soundly sleeping so maybe try not to rush the time it takes to get them there.  Plus, we all know that there ain’t nothing better than holding your sleeping angel close.

Photos from here and here