Last night, my little boy didn’t settle down until 10:30p.m! Who knows what was the matter – teething, a developmental leap, too much excitement about what the next day will bring, worrying about the stock exchange?
Prioritising sleep
When he finally went, my husband took the sensible option (don’t tell him that) and decided to prioritise sleep. I, on the other hand, wanted to stay up and read and try and destress before bed and before you know it – bang it’s 11:30p.m!
Fast forward to this morning, when my boy bounds into our room at 5:30 a.m. and Mummy the Fibro Warrior is less of a warrior but more of a puddle on the floor, unable to open her eyes, move her limbs or make coherent sense.
Luckily, I have the best husband ever (again, please don’t tell him that) and he got up with him to give me extra time in bed. Unfortunately though, he has to leave at 8:45a.m and at this point I was still sat in bed, nursing a cup of tea and listening to Cocomelon on repeat.
Sleep when the baby sleeps
Then, an idea popped into my head…he’s been up since 5:30a.m…I wonder if the stars are aligned and he might go back to sleep in mummy’s bed…PLEASE…My luck was in and we slept gloriously and soundly until 11:30 a.m. AMAZING!
Sleep vs Hobbies
However, this got me thinking about the advice you are given when you have a new-born, which is to sleep when the baby sleeps. Now, I’m all for a good nap let me tell you but a part of me thinks what could I get done in that time? I’m not talking about housework at this point because again my supportive husband takes on a lot of that responsibility (his ego is going to be huge tonight) but I mean things I want to do like bake a cake, do a sewing project, read, watch Friends whilst eating a family sized bar of Dairy Milk and the list goes on.
Naps are great and sometimes much, much, much needed but I can’t help feeling like I miss out on me time when I decide to take one. However, my body thanks me for it when I do.
Mummy the Fibro Warrior Top Tip:
- Listen to your body and if you need a nap make sure you take it. Sleep is so important to us fibro warriors and to us parents and even if it’s just 20 minutes or 2 hour, it will massively help. You can always carve time later to do the things you want to do but if you are too tired you won’t have the energy to even do them anyway. Sleep, my friend, sleep!
If there is one takeaway I would like you all to remember today is that sleep is a must! Where you can, take the nap. Rest, recuperate and recharge. Then and only then will be continue to be the Fibro Warrior you are. I need you to know that you are doing the best you can, your child/ children love you just as you are and you are Mummy the Fibro Warrior.
Until next time,
x
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