Solving Sleep Dilemmas: A Survival Guide For Tired Parents
When you’re expecting, almost every parent you encounter will warn you about the perils of sleep deprivation. The trouble is that no amount of advice can prepare you for how you actually feel when you’re running on empty. Being a parent is a full-time job, and at times, you may feel like you could sleep for a hundred years given the chance. You’re probably expecting to have to survive on no sleep when you have a new-born, but what happens if you’re months or even years down the line and you still can’t remember the last time you got a good eight hours? If you’re struggling with tiredness, here are some suggestions that may come in handy.
Focusing on your routine, as well as your child’s If you’re a parent, there’s every chance that you’ve devoted time and effort to getting your children into a routine, which involves them napping, eating and going to bed at certain times. Often, parents pay so much attention to their child’s routine that they don’t realise the importance of maintaining some sort of regime for themselves. We all have an internal body clock, and just as your baby or toddler gets tired at certain times, you will too. If your body clock is all over the shop, you may find it difficult to get to sleep, you might struggle to get up when your alarm goes off, and it’s likely that you won’t get the amount of rest you need. It can be difficult to stick to a routine with kids, but try your best to establish a pattern of going to bed and getting up at the same time whenever possible. This should help you to get more sleep.
Creating a fun, child-friendly bedroom Many parents struggle to get a good night’s sleep because they find themselves balancing on the edge of the bed next to a starfish-shaped intruder. If your child likes to sleep with you and it’s affecting the quality of your sleep, the sooner you can get them into the habit of sleeping on their own, the better. One way to do this is creating a comfortable space that is attractive to them. If your child prefers your bed to their own, they’re going to want to sleep with you every night. Consider the impact of a mini makeover to turn your child’s bedroom from a functional space to a fun, cosy haven they’ll look forward to retreating to at the end of the day. Make the room visually appealing and stimulating with furniture like treehouse beds or wardrobes decorated like beach huts or castles. If your child loves their bedroom, and most importantly, their bed, they’re going to gravitate towards that room. It’s also a good idea to spend time in your child’s room before they go to bed. Get changed into PJs, read stories and have a cuddle in their room before you turn the lights out.
Helping yourself Many parents experience sleep problems. If you can’t sleep, try some self-help techniques, such as meditation, regular exercise and taking time to wind down in the evenings. Take that half an hour out to run a bath, read a book or just lie back and listen to a chilled out playlist.
If you can’t sleep, hopefully, this guide will go some way to solving the sleep dilemma.
Let me know in the comments below :D
Much Love
Mumma
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*THIS IS A COLABORATIVE POST*
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