20 Indicators of Parental Sleep Deprivation

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When you decided to start a family, you probably anticipated some sleepless nights. It seems everyone had something to say about it when you announced your pregnancy. However, you might not have fully grasped the extent of sleep deprivation that would come your way. If you’re uncertain about whether you’re fully submerged in the trenches of exhaustion, see if you can relate to any of these signs that you’re experiencing parental sleep deprivation:

  1. You nearly used your child’s bubble bath as toothpaste. If you actually did this, I deeply sympathize with you; it’s completely conceivable in your current state!
  2. Your kids begged for candy at breakfast, and you were so worn out that you shrugged your shoulders and said, “Why not?” REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS it is!
  3. You’ve put the cereal in the pantry and milk in the fridge, and now you’re just pretending it’s a new culinary trend. Cottage milk is totally a thing, right?
  4. You’ve dozed off while standing in the shower. If you happened to sample the shampoo, let’s just chalk it up to fatigue.
  5. You accidentally wore your underwear over your pants. Fashion-forward, right?
  6. You rushed the kids out the door, sped off like a bat out of hell, only to realize you’ve forgotten it’s Saturday.
  7. You tried to pay for groceries with your library card. Don’t worry; I’ve heard you can just charge everything to the state now.
  8. You attempted to feed your baby through the ear instead of the mouth. They’re both on the same side of the body, so close enough!
  9. You used breast milk in your coffee instead of creamer. Who knows? Maybe it’s a health hack.
  10. You found yourself rocking a bag of flour to sleep in the baking aisle. Toss a hat on it, and no one will know the difference!
  11. You only shaved one leg before slipping into a skirt for work. Just tell folks it’s a new trend called Hirsutian Chic.
  12. You asked your spouse if he needed help in the bathroom. After all, assistance knows no age!
  13. You searched everywhere for your glasses, only to realize they were perched on your nose. A blessing in disguise, perhaps—now you can see that ant colony in your child’s Halloween candy stash.
  14. You mistakenly used salt instead of sugar for the bake sale cookies. You’re just doing your part to combat childhood obesity!
  15. You put your car in drive instead of reverse when leaving the driveway. Hey, wasn’t a new garage door on the to-do list?
  16. You accidentally took a muscle relaxer instead of your birth control pill. Well, that’s one way to avoid surprises.
  17. You introduced yourself to someone but forgot your own name. Who said roleplaying was just for the bedroom?
  18. You packed everything for your baby except… the baby itself. Don’t worry; she won’t even remember this one.
  19. You finally got a girls’ night out but realized you wore mismatched shoes. Just swap with your friends; true friends would understand!
  20. You haven’t worked out since the era of leg warmers. The thought of exercise might just make you weep.

How did you score? If you can see yourself in these scenarios, know that you’re not alone in this wild parenting adventure! For more insight into the challenges of parenthood, check out this resource on pregnancy and home insemination from the CDC.

Remember to explore the world of home insemination kits, especially this detailed guide from Make A Mom. If you’re looking for privacy in your journey, you can read about it here.

Summary:

Parenting brings immense joy but also a hefty dose of sleep deprivation. This article lists 20 humorous and relatable signs that parents experience when they’re running on empty. From bizarre morning routines to mixing up household items, these signs highlight the chaotic yet lovable reality of parenthood.