Never underestimate the energy of an overtired child.
I'm still new into motherhood. I mean, I have 3 kids now- but I haven't been at this for very long. So bear with me while I process my thoughts and share what I have learned works for us. With each kid comes a whole new world. Literally. Each child has their own individual needs, own individual "problems," things that you need to figure out - unfortunately through trial and error. Wouldn't it be so much easier if they came with some instructions per kid? Goodness. I wish.
One thing that has been on my mind this past week is over-tired children. You know the type. If you've ever seen one - they act as if they are the most wide awake person on the planet and have just downed like 15 Redbulls. You would never know they're tired with how wired they are and how hard they fight sleep - BUT even with their mounds of energy, its not good energy. They're wild. They're grouchy, rude, ungrateful, disobedient, screaming.. you get the picture. They aren't their best version.
I've always been BIG on sleep for kids. If you know me personally, you know that I am scheduled and disciplined when it comes to raising my children. I honestly don't know where that came from because I'm the laid back, go with the flow, whatever happens happens type. You know? But when it comes to my kids, the 3 most important things in my book are - solid sleep, healthy foods, and follow through. I've learned that your kids will thank you in their attitude because they're longing for structure. They're longing for consistency. They're hoping for someone to tell them no and to followthrough. Whether they'd ever admit it or not, you can see it in their behavior. My kids are MUCH better humans when they've rested, when they've had plenty of water, and minimal sugar. I'M a much better human when I've slept, too. Aren't we all??
So, as you know, I'm on my 3rd kid. She's almost 4 months old, what in the actual heck - how did that happen so fast?! Anyways, she's been sleeping through the night, just as my others did, at 2 months. People always say and I quote "why do you always get the easy kids" and I laugh and laugh and keep on laughing. Yeah. Right. We do NOT get the easy kids. We get KIDS just like anybody else - but one thing Sam and I decided early on is to have it "difficult" now so that we can have it easier as they get older. For example, we make a structure and follow it, we don't hang out with friends late, we rarely let our kids stay up past their bed times, we limit screen time, we make them eat *gasp* vegetables, we don't parent from the couch, we give up a lot to make these things happen. Settling for the "hard" now, so we can enjoy our kids later. Make sense? (Being on the same page with your spouse is vital, too. But thats a different blog for a different day.)
I don't say any of this to make it sound like we've figured it out- we are still learning and will continue learning, still shaping what works for us. You need to find what works for you. But here is one hard pill to swallow, you will be held accountable for what you have been entrusted. I believe these children were given to me from the Lord - they are mine to raise, grow, teach, love, and be intentional with. I don't take this lightly. Parenting is serious business. Ask for wisdom from the Lord and find what works for your children.
Anyways, back to the point of the blog. Sleep is so important! You don't have to have terrible sleepers. Of course there will be seasons of hardship, of poor nights of sleep, of lots of coffee to survive. But all in all, you are the one who sets the schedule, who makes the rules.
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One thing that has been on my mind this past week is over-tired children. You know the type. If you've ever seen one - they act as if they are the most wide awake person on the planet and have just downed like 15 Redbulls. You would never know they're tired with how wired they are and how hard they fight sleep - BUT even with their mounds of energy, its not good energy. They're wild. They're grouchy, rude, ungrateful, disobedient, screaming.. you get the picture. They aren't their best version.
I've always been BIG on sleep for kids. If you know me personally, you know that I am scheduled and disciplined when it comes to raising my children. I honestly don't know where that came from because I'm the laid back, go with the flow, whatever happens happens type. You know? But when it comes to my kids, the 3 most important things in my book are - solid sleep, healthy foods, and follow through. I've learned that your kids will thank you in their attitude because they're longing for structure. They're longing for consistency. They're hoping for someone to tell them no and to followthrough. Whether they'd ever admit it or not, you can see it in their behavior. My kids are MUCH better humans when they've rested, when they've had plenty of water, and minimal sugar. I'M a much better human when I've slept, too. Aren't we all??
So, as you know, I'm on my 3rd kid. She's almost 4 months old, what in the actual heck - how did that happen so fast?! Anyways, she's been sleeping through the night, just as my others did, at 2 months. People always say and I quote "why do you always get the easy kids" and I laugh and laugh and keep on laughing. Yeah. Right. We do NOT get the easy kids. We get KIDS just like anybody else - but one thing Sam and I decided early on is to have it "difficult" now so that we can have it easier as they get older. For example, we make a structure and follow it, we don't hang out with friends late, we rarely let our kids stay up past their bed times, we limit screen time, we make them eat *gasp* vegetables, we don't parent from the couch, we give up a lot to make these things happen. Settling for the "hard" now, so we can enjoy our kids later. Make sense? (Being on the same page with your spouse is vital, too. But thats a different blog for a different day.)
I don't say any of this to make it sound like we've figured it out- we are still learning and will continue learning, still shaping what works for us. You need to find what works for you. But here is one hard pill to swallow, you will be held accountable for what you have been entrusted. I believe these children were given to me from the Lord - they are mine to raise, grow, teach, love, and be intentional with. I don't take this lightly. Parenting is serious business. Ask for wisdom from the Lord and find what works for your children.
Anyways, back to the point of the blog. Sleep is so important! You don't have to have terrible sleepers. Of course there will be seasons of hardship, of poor nights of sleep, of lots of coffee to survive. But all in all, you are the one who sets the schedule, who makes the rules.
One tip I have learned to getting good sleepers and something I've implemented in my children from day one - is laying them down when they're awake. I swaddle them up tight, make sure they're fed, burped, changed and then lay them down, wide-eyed and smiley. Ah, I love babies. But yes, I've found that a baby who puts themselves to sleep, sleep SO much better at night because they know how to do it on their own. Side note; an overtired baby also doesn't make for a better nights sleep. Most of the time they're restless, uncomfortable, and stirring all night. I found, for our kids, getting proper naps during the day makes for a MUCH better nights rest. I've let myself feel guilty before because this message is unpopular. So many women I love and look up to rock their babies to sleep every night, lay in bed with their babies until they fall asleep - I think its beautiful. I just can't do it, because at the end of the day - me being sane and having a few hours of uninterrupted time to build on my relationship with Sam makes me such a better mother for my kids. Again, do what works for you- don't let yourself feel guilty from how others do things. But I urge you, put the babies to bed. Let them sleep for when they wake....they'll be much better humans and probably move some mountains, too.
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