It has been a bad week for sleep. I have had to be really mindful of being kind to myself because I know that I am tired. In those disturbed nights and even more in the lethargic days afterwards I have been reminded of how exhausted I was most of the time when my boys were younger.
But back then, with babies/toddlers there were times when I couldn’t recognise that I was tired, purely because I always was. My confidence in myself came under question because I never felt on top of anything. So I am dedicating this week to all you mothers with young children and the inevitable disturbed sleep.
Be kind to yourself.
It is an amazing job you do by being there for your children!
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thanks for sharing your support to us with young kids. I’ve just come out of the two under two phase, and it’s been pretty full on these past 6 months. I’m only just starting to see light at the end of the tunnel now. The other day I was in a soft play (brave!) and saw a lady breastfeeding her newborn while her toddler was tantruming on the floor. I offered my help but I think she was too sleep deprived and in the thick of it to even know what help to ask for, bless her. It’s a tough time and I agree with you. Don’t change anything mammas! You’re doing an amazing job just as you are. #BloggerClubUK
topfivemum recently posted…Why two is the biggest birthday milestone
We can question ourselves a lot, which has its uses but I think it is so easy not to recognise what an amazing job we do. Thanks for your lovely comment supporting mothers. Kirsten
You have made this mummy very happy! Thank you for your support!
#sharewithme
You are more than welcome. I just felt it needed saying!
I looked on this article for reassurance to find I’ve already read this post! One I will probably keep coming back to!
Back again with #twinklytuesday #bigpinklink
Glad to have you back and that you find it reassuring. Thanks, Lianne.
As a mum of five, having survived three under three, this was all I needed to hear. I try so hard to be supportive to other mums, it’s the hardest job in the world! #sharewithme
I do agree with you. Three under three must have been exhausting. Thanks for commenting.
I have a lot of guilt all the time. I work full-time and feel that I can’t spend enough time with my kids. Thank you for your kind words and supporting moms everywhere!
#BloogerClubUK
I am glad this helped. It is not an easy thing to do. Guilt is not pleasant. I wrote two posts that look at the different types of guilt we experience as mothers and what we can do about it. The links are here http://www.theguiltfreeguide.co.uk/why-so-much-guilt-guilt-and-motherhood-part-1/ and http://www.theguiltfreeguide.co.uk/dealing-with-guilt-guilt-and-motherhood-part-2/ Thanks for commenting.
Yes to being kind! So important when so tired. Healthy food and fresh air is also good. I’m in a sleep deprived stage of parenting!! #abloggingoodtime
Good extra advice Karen, thanks. Glad you know the importance of being kind to yourself in this tough stage.
You’re right – it’s important to be kind to yourself, especially in those early days. It’s all go-go-go these days between work, the nursery run, playing with my daughter and doing chores, so I have to remind myself that it’s okay to take a minute and just breathe every once in a while. #ablogginggoodtime
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There is so much to do isn’t there. Taking a moment to breathe and be kind to yourself is really important. Thanks for commenting.
This is a nice post to read while I’m sat at home waiting for my first baby to arrive, the lack of sleep is one of the things I’m most worried about. I’ll remember this 🙂 #ablogginggoodtime
I am glad this feels supportive. The lack of sleep is an issue but there are plenty of ways through it. Thank for commenting.
My boy is three and last night I thought, the exhaustion does end! I’m sure it will be replaced with other woes though. Well done on the book, looking forward to having a gander.
It does get better, just not to a schedule. Hang in there. Thank you Charlene.
Sleep is for the weak! Awesome offer, thanks for sharing xx #picnmix
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I am definitely weak then Claire:-) Thanks for commenting.
My schedule is shocking. I really need find a happy medium because I am exhausted all of the time! #bloggerclubuk
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That sounds really tough, Amie. Permanent exhaustion is not a nice place to be. I hope you find a happier medium soon. Thanks for commenting.
So true – I can’t remember a time I didn’t have a headache through tiredness. One day, maybe?! Thanks for your support #PickNMix
It does happen eventually but it is really not easy when we are sleep deprived. Hang in there. Thanks for commenting.
Even with sleep it’s exhausting! We really do need to be kinder to ourselves x
#Ablogginggoodtime
Alana – Burnished Chaos recently posted…Words To Live By #4: Be Curious
Here, here. Fully agreed there. Thanks for commenting Alana.
Thank you, I needed that tonight. #ablogginggoodtime
You are welcome, Jenn.
My children are strange in that they slept through very early on and even had lie ins as babies … definitely not the experience that most people have I know! I’ve definitely had my share of sleepless nights regardless though with my eldest’s Type 1 Diabetes.
Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie 🙂
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That is really unusual and not something I have heard of . No actually I have heard one other mother who had something similar and she was the same as a child. Whatever the reason for being up, illness or poor sleeper, being kind to ourselves helps. Thanks for commenting.
I feel as if I have been in this cycle for 10 years now and now sign of it ending – it’s the norm.
Thanks for linking to #sharewithme
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I do agree. It is a normal part of parenting. Thanks for commenting.
What a lovely post and we definitely need to be kind to ourselves when things aren’t plain sailing. Thanks for joining us for #marvmondays
Very much agreed. Self kindness is of great value. Thanks for commenting.
I’ve always had 2 really good sleepers so when we have the occasional bad night (like the last few where they’ve been poorly and calling out for mummy a lot), I feel like I have no right to complain or give myself a break because this is what other mummies deal with all the time. Silly, eh? We’re all dealing with our own stuff and comparison doesn’t help. Thank you for your kind post #MarvMondays
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Hi Lucy, Comparison is fraught and we can inadvertently use it to beat ourselves up but like you say it rarely helps. We all have own own lot to deal with and a bit of self kindness goes a long way. Thanks for your insightful comment. Kirsten
I agree. We really need to be kind to ourselves! #MarvMondays
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Thanks, Emma.
It helps knowing others are in the same boat x #bigpinklink
It really does. It is worse when we think it is just us and why are we not managing! Thanks for commenting.
Nice to meet you, Kirsten. Yep, it’s easy to fall into ‘guilt mode’…Not only do we need to be kind to ourselves but having the kindness and support of friends is the cherry on top of a guilt-free cake! #MarvMondays
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I agree with you, Jane. It helps when we hear those supportive voices come from others too particularly on a tough day. Sometimes it makes the world of difference to have external support/praise. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
It’s true. We are always our own worst enemies with the loudest inside voices. Great advice. #mg
Thank you, Lisa.
Thank you, it is so important to remember not to be too hard on ourselves, and to also remember to reach out to other mums too, who may be struggling. I am terrible for not being very kind to myself, I tell myself most minutes of most days that I’m a terrible mum, doing an awful job, but really it’s not true-it is very hard to be mindful of this when you’re so tired!
#bigpinklink
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It is quite common for us to get down on ourselves when we are tired. Bringing in a kinder voice can really help though. Thanks for commenting.
Returning from #bigpinklink
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Thanks
Disturbed sleep really is torture, and I cope very poorly with little or interrupted sleep. Becoming a new mum was a huge shock to my system and I would say the lack of sleep was the hardest thing! It is so much easier now that they are between 12 and 7 years old! #mg
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I agree, Mackenzie. I am grateful that I get regular sleep now.
just popping back from #twinklyTuesday xx
Mackenzie Glanville recently posted…Bringing some sunshine into our lives
Thanks, Mackenzie.
I am reading this having dragged myself from my bad after hours of restlessness – mine is now caused by the pending menopause and not the exhaustion of young kids – but the first line of your post resonates – it feels just like it did all those years ago and it is as horrible as I remember! #bigpinklink
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Hi Jo, that really sounds tough. At least when it is children there is a loving reason to be awake. When it is the menopause, well, I imagine it is very frustrating. Thanks for commenting and wishing you a better nights sleep soon.
The sleep deprivation of my daughter’s first year was the hardest thing I have ever had to endure. It quite literally broke me because she was very unsettled and cried constantly during the day too so I was literally stuck in a vortex of hell. I wish I had known of a way to be kinder to myself in those days but just a kind word can make a world of difference. When I have tough days now or see other women struggling I do try to take a moment to be grateful for all the good I have and to do whatever I can to help because I know how badly it’s needed. Thanks for the acknowledgement #TwinklyTuesday
Hi Jackie, I really felt your comment. It is so tough when our children don’t sleep. My second son was ill and it was such a struggle to cope on so little sleep. Thank you very much for your lovely comment. Kind words really do help.
With two under two I am feeling knackered today. #mg
I feel for you. Be kind to yourself. Thanks for commenting.
Completely agree – it is so important to be kind to yourself, especially when we are hving those tired moments…tired life!
Thanks for linking to#ablogginggoodtime
Mummy in a TuTu (@mummyinatutu) recently posted…Christmas Gift Guide: Boys & Girls!
Your comment made me smile. Tired life is exactly what it can feel like at times. Thanks for commenting.
That’s so true about not recognising when you’re tired because you always are! #picknmix
Crummy Mummy recently posted…Things no-one warns you about Halloween
Oh yes. It is so easy to lose track of exhaustion when it is a permanent state of affairs.
Love all your positive posts – they make me feel better!! #twinklytuesday
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Thank you for telling me that. I am really glad. Comments like yours make it all worthwhile.