Today was one of those chaotic days when I made the bold decision to send the kids to bed an hour earlier. You know those times when the little ones are bouncing off the walls, and you feel like a zombie? Yes, I see you nodding in agreement. And if you’re not familiar with this scenario, please share your secret!
Whether your kids hit the hay at 5 p.m. or 7 p.m., it’s likely you’ve earned that extra hour of peace at some point during the day. Here are my top 20 reasons for justifying an earlier bedtime for our little ones:
- You’re tired of hearing your own voice and wonder if it’s even registering with your children.
- You’ve issued so many empty threats that you’re starting to doubt their effectiveness.
- You find yourself “escaping” to do chores you dread, like yard work or laundry, as soon as your partner walks through the door.
- You regret letting your kids play with colorful Kinetic sand because now it’s everywhere.
- You gaze at your cat and wish she would contribute to the household instead of just lounging around.
- You declare that sugar is the enemy and plan for a day of healthy snacks tomorrow—celery and hummus, anyone?
- By lunchtime, you’ve consumed enough chocolate to fuel a small army because you desperately need a sugar fix.
- At 4 p.m., the sight of your bed is so inviting that you could almost weep at the thought of lying down right then and there.
- You start to seriously contemplate boarding school for your three-year-old and begin searching the internet for options.
- You’ve had to clean up various bodily fluids from places you’d rather not remember—clothes, walls, you name it.
- Your partner gives you the pleading look that says, “I need help!” while you silently respond, “You made this mess.”
- At least once during the day, you’ve stepped on a Lego—ouch!
- You’ve ventured into a Playland at a fast-food restaurant, and it was as chaotic as you imagined.
- The constant shrill screams have left you feeling like even silence is filled with echoes of chaos.
- You witnessed a synchronized performance of fake crying from all your kids and briefly considered forming a choir.
- The phrase, “Mom! He’s touching me!” makes you chuckle before you retreat to your closet for a moment of solitude.
- You find yourself folding laundry while a Paw Patrol episode plays, long after the kids have moved on to something else.
- The sound of “mommy” has started to grate on your nerves.
- You contemplate a drive anywhere, even to a deserted parking lot, just to enjoy some quiet.
- After wiping bottoms, brushing teeth, helping with homework, and cleaning the kitchen multiple times, you realize you’ve shown more patience than a saint and truly deserve a break.
At the end of the day, as you tiptoe in to cover them with their blankets or turn off the light, your heart swells with affection. You might even hear a whisper saying, “It wasn’t so bad, was it?” So, don’t feel guilty, mom, as you admire their peaceful, angelic faces while they sleep. You’ve earned this moment of tranquility.
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Summary
Putting your kids to bed earlier can provide much-needed peace and quiet for exhausted parents. From the chaos of daily life to the little frustrations that build up, an earlier bedtime can be the solution to reclaiming your sanity. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize your well-being, as you’ve more than earned your break!