There was a time when the phrase “up all night” conjured images of wild parties, late-night cramming, and budding romances. However, everything changed once I became a parent.
Recently, my eldest son, Liam, returned home from college for a brief visit. His flight was scheduled to arrive at midnight, but after a delay, my husband and I fell back into our old routine of sharing sleep shifts. He took a quick nap while I baked brownies (because why not?). When it was time to go, I woke him up; he drove to the airport while I caught some more z’s. They finally arrived home at 3:30 a.m. I stayed up to reconnect with Liam and watch him enjoy a late-night snack, while my husband took another nap before work.
Perhaps it was the late hour, but as Liam, now nearly 21, recounted his college adventures, I couldn’t help but reflect on how the dynamic had shifted. Instead of me soothing him back to sleep with bedtime stories, he was sharing his own tales of all-nighters at school—leaving out some of the more scandalous details, of course.
The next day, I found myself scrolling through old photos of my boys when they were little. Like many babies, neither of them was a champion sleeper; our youngest, Oliver, didn’t sleep through the night until he was two. Those sleepless nights made my workdays challenging, but they were filled with joy and laughter, never dull.
There were times when I struggled to string sentences together, identify mysterious stains on my clothes, or even remember if I had eaten breakfast or applied deodorant. I once wore mismatched shoes and even accidentally tossed a bag of dirty diapers into my van along with my briefcase—only to discover it an hour later, the odor nearly knocking me out. But those chaotic moments eventually faded, making way for the adolescent years, where sleepless nights revolved around their dreams and concerns.
In the stillness of night, I’d hear, “Mom, I don’t feel well,” or “Can you read to me?” and the tradition of being awake continued. Their reasons varied—from illness and heartache to excitement over birthdays, new schools, or even a snowy forecast—each night was different, and though the days that followed were long, the moments spent together always made it worthwhile.
By the time they became teenagers, there was no single reason for their late-night energy; they were simply wired that way. When the noise kept me awake, I often joined them. One night, after watching a cooking show, I found myself baking biscuits at 2 a.m. with Oliver, inspired by delicious breakfast dishes featured. We even attempted a green bean puree—some memories are truly better left in the dark.
As much as I craved sleep, I realized I had a choice: do I want to sleep, or do I want to engage in their lives? The answer was clear. I wanted to be present, even if I was half-asleep. Some of our most meaningful conversations took place under the moonlight.
This fall, Oliver will be heading off to college. I can only hope that when he returns, he’ll keep the age-old tradition alive by keeping me up late with his stories—tales I can replay in my mind as I drift into sleep, knowing I have a lot of catching up to do. After all, my boys are off to experience parties, studying, and new relationships.
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Summary
The article shares a heartfelt perspective on how the meaning of being “up all night” transforms from youthful escapades to the realities of parenting. As children grow, the sleepless nights evolve into moments of connection and conversation, making the journey of motherhood both challenging and rewarding.