If you’re a mom, you know the struggle of sleep deprivation all too well. After a long night of tending to your little ones, you somehow muster the strength to rise before dawn and juggle your many roles: caregiver, partner, employee, and home manager. Honestly, making it through the day in one piece feels like a superhuman feat! In that sleepy haze, you might find yourself making a few questionable decisions, and I’m here to shine a light on those moments. Here’s my list of 50 things that every tired mom does:
- Down more than three cups of coffee by noon. (Your barista probably knows your order by heart!)
- Mistakenly pour breast milk or formula into your coffee instead of creamer.
- Use the TV as a makeshift babysitter.
- Enjoy cold pizza for breakfast and cereal for dinner.
- Skip showers and just lather on more deodorant.
- Toss your hair up in a wet bun without a second thought.
- Dodge cameras whenever someone wants to snap a pic of you.
- Reapply yesterday’s makeup instead of starting fresh.
- Borrow diapers and wipes from friends or even strangers.
- Nod off in the most unexpected places.
- Toss out kids’ clothes that are beyond salvaging due to intense stains.
- Spend extra time in the bathroom just to enjoy some solitude.
- Chew gum instead of brushing your teeth.
- Drop the kids off at the gym daycare and sneak in a quick nap in the car.
- Find instant camaraderie with other exhausted moms.
- Get lost on familiar routes, even after driving them countless times.
- Use your car as a trash bin or storage for all things kid-related.
- Forget to shave until date night—and sometimes even then!
- Lock yourself (or your kids) in the car by accident.
- Skip walking the dog yet again.
- Avoid the mailbox because if you don’t see bills, they don’t exist, right?
- Let mail pile up until it’s returned to sender.
- Lose track of what day it is.
- Envy those who look well-rested.
- Idolize anyone willing to babysit while you catch some Z’s.
- Blast your kids’ music in the car even when they’re not with you.
- Use your partner’s toothbrush because yours is MIA.
- Re-read the same page of your book until you give up entirely.
- Leave groceries in the car and forget them until the smell hits you.
- Start pouring yourself a drink at 4 p.m. to survive until bedtime.
- Count down the hours until your kids nap or go to bed.
- Forget your own doctor’s appointments, even when you made them.
- Celebrate when plans are canceled because it means a night in.
- Make a grocery run and forget half your shopping list.
- Shop online for everything (thank you, Amazon Prime!).
- Tell yourself, “Someday I will sleep again,” or “Tomorrow, I’ll exercise.”
- Dye your hair a darker shade to avoid frequent upkeep.
- Forget if you’ve fed the pets and end up feeding them twice.
- Doubt whether you locked the garage or turned off appliances and have to backtrack.
- Live in yoga pants, occasionally wearing them inside out.
- Mistakenly use lotion or soap as toothpaste.
- Let laundry sit in the washer until it smells, then rewash it.
- Have random bruises from bumping into everything in your house.
- Cry in public—whether it’s in front of the neighbors or the pediatrician.
- Have minor car accidents or fender benders pretty often.
- Opt for paper plates to avoid doing dishes.
- Laugh at things that aren’t even funny and wonder if you’re losing it.
- Plan to cook a delicious meal, buy the ingredients, and then let them rot.
- Wish for just one day that your partner could take over breastfeeding.
- Reminisce about the days when you felt like you had it all together and wonder if that version of you will return.
If any of these resonate with you, congratulations—you’re undoubtedly a sleep-deprived mom! Welcome to the club, where membership is free and can last for the next 18 years. For more tips and support, check out this helpful resource on pregnancy and home insemination, or delve into this guide for more insights. And don’t forget to explore this excellent kit that can simplify your journey.
Summary:
Motherhood often comes with the challenge of sleep deprivation, leading to a plethora of relatable experiences. From relying on coffee to using unconventional methods for self-care, these 50 points humorously capture the essence of being an exhausted mom. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and there’s always support available.