I’ve made no secret about how much I love my sleep. My body prefers 8-9 hours of solid sleep a night. A good afternoon nap ranks up there on my list of life’s great pleasures. I’ve never understood people who say they can happily get by on 4-5 hours a sleep a day. I can’t relate.
Despite all of this, I am totally okay sacrificing a little sleep in order to get up before the kids. I set an alarm and get my tired butt up so I can have a few minutes, just for me, before the rest of my household starts their day.
At least that’s my goal every day. Many days, I fail. I turn off my alarm, roll over, and wait for my other alarm clock (AKA Luke) to wake me up.
Those days I usually feel a step behind my entire day. I’m more easily irritated, I am less efficient, and I just feel off. Kind of like how Luke looks in this picture.
I can tell you that the days that I wake before the kids are 100% better. I start my day in a happier mood and get more accomplished on those days. Everything just flows better.
There’s something to be said for starting your day with a little solitude. That time I take to be by myself, no matter how I spend it and whether it is a mere 15 minutes or a glorious hour, makes me a better mom and wife.
Give it a try. You’ll be surprised at how much it helps set the tone for your day.
If you have kids, do you get up before they do in the morning? How do you like to spend that time if you do?
Oh I wish I could get up before my kids. My son has always been an early riser and a super light sleeper in the morning so the second he hears anyone up, he’s up. Maybe once he gets a bedroom upstairs I’ll be able to get some peace and quiet in the morning(if I can get up before him!). It sounds wonderful!
Gosh…this is SO TRUE!
I used to get up before my toddler & enjoy a cup of coffee. Just me & my coffee. A moment of silence before the day took over.
Lately I haven’t been getting up…just too tired, not really sure why, and BOY…do I see a difference in myself.
And…LOL – Love crying Santa pics. 🙁 🙂
I feel like this idea keeps being presented to me, and I think I finally need to listen. I know I need to do this for my family. Having a few more people extol the benefits is hopefully the push I need. Thanks to all.
You read my mine, I wrote exactly the need for solitude time everyday in today’s post. It’s so important to keep those things that keep us “us” even though we are a mom. 🙂
I *wish*! For me that would mean getting up before 5am which is when my notoriously early rising toddler generally wakes, for the day.
People tell me she’ll eventually sleep in longer, I’m still waiting! Then I probably will enjoy some quiet morning alone time 🙂
Absolutely! This is even more important for me now with THREE kids, I am definitely more irritable and have less patience if I don’t get to start the day out with some quiet, “me” time. It’s easier to get up earlier when the days are longer and the sun is up earlier, I find it harder than usual to get out of bed in the 6 o’clock hour right now… I’m also running on lots of interrupted sleep an infant, so maybe that has something to do with my not jumping out of bed at 5:30 like the ol’ days? Either way, I’m with ya!
I totally agree. I love to get up in the dark, tip toe to the kitchen to get my coffee, grab my bible or some sewing and have anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours of uninterrupted peace. Sometimes I even go for a run. I make the excuse that I can’t start the dishes or do anything that’s loud, because I don’t want to wake my kid or husband up! It’s glorious. And the days I do this, I don’t feel so rushed, I feel more energetic, and have more patience. Best tip EVER, Maryea!
So very true! I usually get up at 5:45 to walk 4miles with my neighbor. Then, when I get home I still have time to shower, etc before the day starts. Last week my kids were sick, so I was up in the nights and didn’t go and my daytime productivity suffered. But it really is soooo hard to get my tired bum outta bed! It helps knowing my friend is waiting for me 😉