Making a pact with myself....new attitude...

[Marlene]

Ok, as a lot of you know...especially my FB friends, LOL, Jack likes to wake lots..and lots...and lots of times during the night. I have noticed that lately I have been getting very impatient and starting to get angry...muttering "FFS" and "just go to F'ing sleep" under my breath, I don't say it out loud and I dont even feel anger towards him really....just general anger that comes with sleep deprivation, LOL. (if that makes sense).
I have tried EVERYTHING, and I mean everything!!!
Hammock, Co-sleeping, cot in my room, cot in own room, music, white noise, total silence, night light, no light night...and a million other things ( I even have an amber necklace on the way in the post.)
I have come to the realisation that nothing is going to work and I am just going to have to get used to it! I have made a pact with myself that I am just going to have more patience and enjoy our time together during the night while everyone else in the house is sleeping. I love holding him in my arms and looking down at his sweet little face while he is sleeping and I just have to remember that I won't get to do this forever and I need to make the most of these moments before he gets too much older.

Anyway...there's no need to reply I just wanted to post this as my way of "saying it out loud". Whenever I am feeling tired and cranky I can come back and read this and realise how precious and special it is to cradle my baby boy in my arms.

If you got this far, thanks for reading.

[Salsa]

Its fair enough to get grumpy about your constant lack of sleep, but I agree with your new attitude and approach. I need to remind myself to do the same sometimes.
Changing our perspective like your doing can make all the difference to our stress levels.

[Indadhanu]

I just have to remember that I won't get to do this forever and I need to make the most of these moments before he gets too much older.
SO true. I get a frustrated too and pull out the old 'FFS' ... pretty much every night... but I guess its like I said on FB one day... I'd rather have a sleepless night than a childless one. So I am with you, I need to 'enjoy' it more, special time with Jazz because one day she'll be a teenager and not want to lay in my arms and sleep.

[RoyaUK]

Hi Marlene,

Just wanted to offer support to someone who has been in the same (i think) situation. My DD2 from the age of 3 months to 11 months was waking on average betweeen 3 and 5 times a night. at one point over Xmas it was every 45 mins for 15 nights (but she was teething with 3 teeth coming at once). Nothing I changed (in my behaviour) made a difference. Oh, and she wouldn't settle for anyone except for me - or rather my boobies!!

It was particularly tiring as i have a very active toddler running around too! i too was getting angry and swearing under my breath, stamping around, had to shut myself in the laundry and shout to release my anger....that sort of thing. And of course no time to rest in the day so it just seems to get harder and harder.

However, all of a sudden 4 weeks ago, she's dropped to waking 2 times a night (well, around 2am then 5am....then the day starts at 7am). For some people this is still a lot but i feel like a new woman!!

I'd say once i'd resigned myself to it and accepted that she would grow out of it in her own time, my patience levels settled down and it was easier to handle - so well done! And she is growing out of it now so i'm glad I trusted my instincts.

Good luck with it

[Salsa]

I just have to remember that I won't get to do this forever and I need to make the most of these moments before he gets too much older.
SO true. I get a frustrated too and pull out the old 'FFS' ... pretty much every night... but I guess its like I said on FB one day... I'd rather have a sleepless night than a childless one. So I am with you, I need to 'enjoy' it more, special time with Jazz because one day she'll be a teenager and not want to lay in my arms and sleep.

:yeahthat:

L - that almost makes me wanna cry, you said it so true! I'd rather have a sleepless night than a childless one.

[Lolli]

Feeling your pain Marlene... sounds like my little munchkin and my typical night

I try to tell myself "You didn't go ohhhh I'm having a baby, imagine how well I will sleep then!" I guess I knew this is how it would be... we don't become parents because we like our sleep...

But I think I might take up Leasha's phrase now- I'd rather have a sleepless night than a childless one. So true!!

Hang on in there hun... I guess this is part of being a mummy, and it won't go on forever....

[BeautifulMadness]

awww thats lovely. you'll get there and it does test ones paitence ( ive learnt to have it lol)

it will get easier as he understands more.

[MrsB26]

Yey, good on you and your newfound attitiude

[Toomanytoomany]

Well congrats on your attitude... but don't be too hard on yourself, either. Sleep deprivation is really, really hard.

[Ashlee]

Big huggles hun, I really need to take heed of this attitude adjustment as well. Sleep deprivation is so hard, and I feel sorry for the kids too, I don't think they want to wake and scream and fuss constantly. Would just be nice to get a decent night in!!

[aimz78]

Oh sweetie, I so know what you mean. Whenever I start to feel frustrated with sleeps, I always try to think that it won't last forever e.t.c. I feel like sometimes I almost get obsessed about it and then just think that i need to let it go, it seems like when you don't care, they go to sleep more easily?!? I don't know. Just wanted to say i hope it gets better soon and you get some well deserved sleep. You are an amazing mum marlene!

[mumiloo]

That is a lovely phrase Leasha I will try to remember it and remember your attitude tips too Marlene tonight

Oh Marlene I find it helps to turn the clock around too