Stop Judging Parents Whose Kids Aren’t Sleeping

home insemination Kit

I’m a parent of three, and let me tell you, each of them has had their own unique sleep patterns. But through all the chaos, one thing has been crystal clear: no matter what methods we tried (and trust me, we tried everything), consistent sleep didn’t come until they turned three. That’s three years of bloodshot eyes multiplied by three kids. Do the math—nine years of navigating sleepless nights, rocking my little ones while the sun peeked over the horizon, all while knowing I’d have to function during the day on little to no sleep.

And no matter what phase of life I was in—whether I was working full-time, in college, or being a stay-at-home parent—there was always someone ready to share their unsolicited opinions about why my child wasn’t sleeping. Or they would eagerly boast about how well their child was sleeping, turning it into an opportunity to drop snarky comments that implied they were superior at this whole parenting thing.

Honestly, it was exhausting. I often felt like my child lost some sort of sleep lottery, and I was left to deal with the fallout. The last thing I wanted was to listen to some self-righteous know-it-all suggest that I should let my child “cry it out” or try some miracle essential oil.

Kiss my backside, seriously.

Right now, I’m in the thick of it with my toddler, and I don’t have room for judgment. I’m tired and bewildered, and I know I’ll feel the same way tomorrow. I’ve come to terms with the reality of sleepless nights. But when I started this journey a decade ago, I was clueless. I spent too much time listening to judgmental parents with well-rested kids trying to tell me how to “fix” the situation when what I really needed was time. Time for my children to learn how to sleep.

That’s the real secret here.

What made it worse was feeling like something was wrong with my child, which led to an overwhelming fear that I was failing as a parent. After three kids and countless sleepless nights, I’ve learned that judging someone because their child isn’t sleeping isn’t helpful—it’s just plain rude.

As a parent, I now understand that every child is different. Just because my child isn’t sleeping soundly while yours is, doesn’t mean I’m doing anything wrong. Two years from now, your child might still be struggling with potty training while mine is reading books. It’s not a competition, so let’s not act like it is.

To all the judgmental “perfect” parents out there, do us a favor and keep your “I’m better than you” attitude to yourself. Parenting is tough, and for many of us, it comes with a side of sleepless nights. I’m from a family of night owls and insomniacs—sleep struggles are in my DNA.

So, instead of criticizing, how about you show a little empathy? Drop the chatter about how amazing your kid’s sleep habits are. Don’t offer advice that’s worked for you as though it’s universal wisdom. I’m tired and just need a little support right now. I need people who will remind me that it’s going to be okay, that my child will eventually figure out sleep, and that I’m not failing as a parent because of sleepless nights.

For those of you holding your restless little ones at 3 a.m. and waking up the next day bleary-eyed, know this: you’re doing great. You’re an amazing parent simply by being there when your child needs you. Parenting often means sacrificing personal space and sleep for the sake of your little ones. None of that makes you a bad parent; it actually shows how dedicated you are.

Ignore the critics. They might not be struggling with sleep now, but every parent faces their own challenges at some point. Let’s focus on lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down.

If you’re interested in more on parenting and family planning, check out our other posts at Home Insemination Kit. They offer excellent resources like this for those navigating parenthood. You can also reference this resource for more information on pregnancy and home insemination.

Summary

Navigating parenting, especially sleepless nights, is challenging. It’s essential to show empathy instead of judgment towards parents struggling with their child’s sleep patterns. Each child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Support is key, and understanding that parenting comes with its hurdles can help create a more compassionate community.