A few weeks ago, my in-laws graciously took my little one for a night, allowing my partner and me to celebrate our anniversary. The next day, we headed to my parents’ house to say goodbye to my two younger siblings—one embarking on a law school journey in Oregon and the other off to spend a year in Australia. We capped off the weekend with a lively family gathering at my in-laws’ home. It was quite the whirlwind!
By the time Sunday night approached, our toddler was utterly worn out. A night of fun with the grandparents and no naps can do that when you’re only 2 years old. You might think a tired toddler would sleep soundly, but if you’ve been a parent, you know that sometimes being overtired leads to a struggle for sleep. Instead of drifting peacefully into slumber, our little one was bursting with energy. By the time he finally succumbed to sleep, we were exhausted and foolishly optimistic about a later wake-up call the next morning. Spoiler alert: we were sorely mistaken.
Stage 1: Denial
You’re blissfully asleep, wrapped in your dreams, when a faint cry breaks through the tranquility, stirring you from your slumber. As the sounds grow louder, confusion sets in. Is that really him? What time is it? He can’t possibly be awake! Desperately, you wish the cries would cease, hoping it’s just a fleeting nightmare. But no, he only grows louder, calling out for you. Your partner stirs, “Is that him?” You dare not respond, hoping they might go tend to him, allowing you a few more minutes of undisturbed rest. You smirk inwardly, thinking, “I chose well when I married him.”
Stage 2: Frustration
You pull the covers tighter around you, attempting to fall back to sleep, but soon the entire dialogue between father and son reaches your ears. “What’s wrong?” “Mommy!” “Do you want me to sing?” “No, Mommy!” The moment you crave sleep is precisely when he desires you the most. Your frustration bubbles over as your husband walks into the room. “He wants you,” he says. You huff dramatically, throwing the comforter off as you express your annoyance, “Ugh!”
Stage 3: Negotiation
With a reluctant sigh, you drag yourself out of bed, mentally preparing for the inevitable. You find him standing in his crib, pointing at the chair beside him, demanding, “Song!” The negotiations begin. “One song, then back to sleep,” you promise, croaking out the ABCs. What on earth about your raspy midnight voice is so captivating? As you attempt to leave, he interrupts, “Water!” Before long, you’re caught in a relentless loop of more drinks, more cuddles, and yes, more songs.
Stage 4: Despair
You sink into the chair, convinced you’ll never sleep again. You slump over the crib rail, tears brimming in your eyes as you watch your toddler bounce around with glee, completely unfazed by your turmoil. He can rest whenever he pleases, while you mourn the lost hours of sleep. You start to count, hoping that maybe, just maybe, it will ease the ache of exhaustion.
Stage 5: Acceptance
Wiping away your tears, you scoop your little one from the crib. He snuggles against you, resting his head on your shoulder as you return to your room. “You can sleep in our bed tonight, but you must be good,” you whisper. You chuckle softly, wondering just what “sleep nicely” implies. As you settle in beside him, you think that maybe, for one night, this is quite lovely. However, it isn’t long before a tiny foot wakes you around 4:30 a.m., reminding you of the true meaning of “sleep nicely.”
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In summary, parenting a restless toddler can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. From denial and frustration to negotiations and moments of despair, the journey is filled with ups and downs. Ultimately, acceptance allows for those sweet moments of connection, even amidst the chaos of sleepless nights.