Early wake up call
May 11, 2010 by Shannon
I used to be a nightowl, back in the days when I didn’t get home from the newsroom until 10:30 pm. Now? Not so much. My child has been waking up at 6:30 am for days on end. Days, I tell you. Several days. Which tells me this is not just a fleeting thing – this early wake up call is becoming the norm.
What happened? I used to be the mom of a kid who was in bed by 8:30 pm and up around 8 am. Boy, did I have it good back in those days. I know, I know…last fall I lamented the fact that I couldn’t force myself into bed until midnight or later, which resulted in some crazy mornings. Back then, I wanted to get up earlier. I still do, but I draw the line at any time before 7 am. Here’s how mornings have been going during the past week or two:
6:30 am: Kellan stumbles into our bedroom, beelines for my side of the bed, and announces he has to “go pee pee”
6:32 am: I escort him from the bathroom back to bed and tuck him in (he still hasn’t mastered this talent yet)
6:33 am: Try to stop thinking about the upcoming day and go back to sleep
6:45 am: Just as I fall back asleep, Kellan bursts into the bedroom and starts making a “bed” on the floor, which he really has no intention of sleeping in
6:52 am: After much grunting and whispering to himself (which is very distracting, by the way, when you’re trying to fall asleep again), Kellan hears the cat meowing at the door and lets her in the bedroom
6:55 am: Kellan abandons all effort to be somewhat quiet and starts bossing the cat around LOUDLY
7:00-7:20 am: Kellan chases the cat from one end of the house to the other, trying to read her a story or force her into his room, while the cat meows repeatedly
7:25 am: Bleary-eyed and irritated, I get out of bed to start breakfast and tell Kellan to leave the cat alone
7:30 am-8:30 am: Unfazed by the craziness of the past hour or two, husband continues to sleep
That’s my little version of the movie “Groundhog Day.” It’s been the same thing – over, and over, and over, and over again – for the past couple weeks. I think I could pack about half of the house in the bags under my eyes. They’re that big. The good news? Kellan has cured me of my nightowl ways. At least until the newborn days arrive again…
Comments (5)
Wow, it’s like you’re in my house, except you need to replace your little man with a little girl who thinks she runs the show, wakes up singing and screaming at the same time, and then add a 6yo who keeps hoping that its actually Saturday so he doesn’t have to go to school, because he’s allowed to play video games on the weekends. Oh, and the unfazed hubby - yeah, I have one of those too.
Not sure when it gets easier, but I hope it happens soon!
Welcome to the early morning Mom club. ; ) I feel ya.
I just posted something for you re: this topic. Hope you find something that works!
http://lindleyfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/coolest-night-light-ever.html
Hey Lisa!
That nightlight is really cool! What a great idea. Thanks for the suggestion.
Hmm…here’s my take on the situation from your friend who doesn’t have any kids. Kellan getting up early isn’t the problem….Mike continuing to sleep every single day and not have to help Kellan or anything seems to an issues. Perhaps you could get some more zzz’s if he got up. Afterall, you’re pregnant and need your rest!!! Gesh…Mike…Mike…Mike….