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Trading Sleep For Sanity
It's after 1 a.m. I should have been in bed hours ago because I have to be up at 6 to get my daughter ready for school. But I am burning the midnight oil. Why? Because I am a member of an elite group--inMomniacs . Sure, there are your traditional insomniacs, but we're different, because we're sleep-deprived by choice. There is a whole group of us who, after the witching hour are finally aloud to come alive in another way. Not that being a Mother isn't fulfilling--it's just all-consuming. Most minutes during the day we can barely get a word in edgewise, let alone form a complete, intelligible sentence. So while everyone else is catching zzz's, we trade the sleep we so desperately need, for precious alone-time. By day, we are car-poolers, nose-wipers, homework helpers, cooks, maids, laundresses and more. And we don't clock out at 5. But when the final eyelid closes on the last wakeful child, we tip-toe to freedom. For me the time is usually spent in front of the computer--catching up on e-mails, journaling, maybe watching a show on-line that I missed in between all the other demands of my day to day life. It doesn't really matter how we Mom's spend our spare time, as long as it doesn't revolve around anyone but us. Selfish? Hardly! The way I see it, it's the only way to stay sane. After all, if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. 3 comments from 3 users
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posted by
bushelandapeck
on Apr 13, 2008 at 03:19 PM
You're not the only momma I know who stays up to the wee hours. When the kids are awake, there's no time to do things for yourself. Ever try blogging with a child on your lap? Ever work your digital photos with a child on your lap? It just doesn't work. And I don't know about your girls, but if I'm on the computer, my kiddo wants to be right there with me. posted by
Jason
on Apr 15, 2008 at 03:43 PM
I wish I could stay up to write and stuff, but I'm one of those "need my 8 hours" kind of people. I couldn't even do all-nighters during college. But I know what you mean about finding some solo time to just be, to do what I want outside of work and family obligations. Vegging out in front of the t.v. watching bad science fiction for a couple hours after my daughter and, frequently, my wife, have gone to bed is about as close I get to that kind of "me" time. (And bushelandapeck, why do I suspect I know who you're referring to in your comment? Heh.) posted by
TwinZebra
on May 9, 2008 at 05:29 AM
I'm writing this at 5:21 am, according to that little blue box on the bottom toolbar. I vascillate between voluntary sleep deprivation and stress-related insomnia. The latter comes and goes depending on what's going on in my life. Romantic flops and money woes seem to be the two main triggers. I suppose in light of that, I should be glad to be a single mom new to Bakersfield. I haven't had a date in ages, (you don't tend to meet men at kid-friendly venues) and the cost of living here is far more humane than my hometown (Chicago) or my most recent transplant (Los Angeles). I can't really explain why I'm up so early today, but it's going to be a blessing to get myself showered and dressed before the kids are up. Maybe we can have a nice hot breakfast for a change instead of the usual rushed fruit or muffin. I LOOOOVE piddling around when the kids are asleep. It's the only time I get a break to check email, read or snatch a couple hours for a rated-R DVD.
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