I've recently discovered something remarkable:
I need sleep.
And far too often, I don't get enough.
Are you like me?
I stay up late doing things that I want to do and can't do with the kids awake (crafting, reading, tv, movies, blogs, internet, hobbies, etc.) I want to squeeze in all the "free" time I can, which inevitably leads to me staying up extremely late.
I've noticed that
when I don't get enough sleep, I am sluggish and moody. I am less patient and easily frustrated. I am less nurturing toward my children because I failed to nurture myself and my need for rest.
So, I decided that I needed to make a sacrifice for the sake of my and my family's health & happiness.
Since my boys never (unfortunately ever) wake up later than 6:00-7:00am, I am trying to go to bed no later than 10:30pm.
I've actually been trying to do this for a few months now. So far I've found that
when I do get enough sleep, I have more energy to meet the demands of motherhood & homemaking with happiness rather than resentment. I am more productive. I am more patient and loving to my children. I also feel closer to my Heavenly Father as I seek His guidance in my life. Basically, I've discovered that it's worth it.
It is really hard sometimes to stop what I'm doing around 10:00 and get ready for bed. But a good solid 8 hours later when LM comes in the room and awakens me from my deep slumber, I'm grateful that I did. The day is so much better for everyone when Mommy wakes up on the right side of the bed.