Will I ever feel refreshed?
As a parent, do you ever wake up and think, "You know what...? I feel refreshed". Is it just me or does the tiredness never stop. I am past the days of waking up with my kids at night, although they do call out occasionally, and still. The pure...
As a parent, do you ever wake up and think, "You know what...? I feel refreshed."
Is it just me or does the tiredness never stop? I am past the days of waking up with my kids at night, although they do call out occasionally, and still the pure physicality of parenting young kids is a lot. I have been exercising more, which gives me more energy, but I tell you what: working four days a week, running a household and a business AND raising three kids under six has kicked my butt. If you've ever tried to carry a toddler on your hip while pushing a stroller and holding a bag of groceries, you'll know what I'm talking about.
It's a wonder we don't all walk around like zombies, muttering "coffeeeee" under our breath.
Just as I started freelancing, I accidentally put a steak knife through my palm trying to scrape brownies out of a tin. Thankfully I missed all bones and nerves and everything else that could have impacted my livelihood (I am on my computer all day), but what was I thinking? I'll tell you – nothing. It's blankness. The 'I'm so tired' I find shoes in the fridge and butter in a drawer tired. The list could go on and on. Driving up to the Otford causeway, which I know is a dead-end and has been for months, but I am on autopilot. Walking into a room and not knowing why I am there. Saying the same thing on repeat because I forgot that I said it a moment ago.
As a parent, you have to be a jack-of-all-trades. You're a chef, a nurse, a referee, a storyteller and a master negotiator all rolled into one. And just when you think you've got it all under control, your child throws a curveball your way. Maybe they suddenly decide they hate the colour blue and refuse to wear anything that isn't pink. Or maybe they develop an inexplicable fear of the smell of yoghurt. Whatever it is, you have to be ready to pivot at a moment's notice.
But perhaps the most exhausting part of parenting is the emotional toll it takes on you. As much as we love our little ones, there are moments when we just want to scream into a pillow. Like they throw a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store because you won't buy them a chocolate. It's enough to make you question your sanity.
So, what's a tired parent to do? Well, first of all, take a deep breath and remember that you're not alone. Many parents have been where you are and survived (mostly) intact. And, secondly, embrace the chaos. Yes, parenting is exhausting, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Every hug, every laugh, every "I love you" makes it all worth it. Right?
Go ahead, take a nap if you can, and then get back to being the superhero parent that you are. And when all else fails, just remember: coffeeeee.
