Every morning when I wake up to the sound of my children I decide that tomorrow I will get up early so I can wake up in peace. I am not a morning person. Waking up and instantly jumping into the day and taking care of everyone's needs first thing is hard for me. I don't even want to talk and yet I have to smile and happily say "Good Morning!", change diapers, get Addison set up on the couch if she isn't already, make her milk, nurse, find princess slippers, answer Nathan's questions, help him get out the door, let Titus in from eating breakfast, etc. I feel like I would be better prepared if I got up about 30 minutes before then, had a cup of coffee or a coke, and sat and read my Bible. I like to wake up slowly and quietly. Then I go to bed between 10-11 (the latter here recently) and I have to get up in the middle of the night 3 or 4 times depending on both my children. So by the time Weston gets up for that last time early in the morning I am thinking, "There is no way I'm getting up any earlier than I have to!" And I crawl into bed for a few more minutes only to be woken up by the sound of crying children and jump back into it. I'd love for my kids to be like some I hear that sleep in 'til 8 or 9. But it's anywhere from 6:30-7:15 on most days. I don't believe in making your kids stay in bed so you can sleep in. To me that is just selfish and I gave up the right to be selfish when I became a mom. When they are old enough to get up and entertain themselves quietly and safely that is different. Nathan and I rarely ever stay up later on the weekends because we know our kids will be up at the same time. I will say that my kids have helped me be a better morning person. I used not to talk at all when I woke up, but now I have to so I choose to be nice. Maybe quiet, but nice. haha
My room-mate in college and I were not morning people. We often had classes together and then we ended up teaching at the same school since we were in the same major. We would get out of bed and listen to our tv in the background and get ready completely. We would walk down to our cars silently and then our first words were "Goodbye" as we got in our cars to drive to the elementary school. It worked for us because we were the same. I had another roommate for about two months when I first moved to college (long story) but she was a big morning person. One of those people that start talking the moment their eyes open. She was such a nice girl, but I couldn't handle that small part of her. I would lay in bed and listen to her move about the room with my eyes closed so I could wake up a little while before she started talking to me.
Maybe one day I'll be a morning person...but probably not tomorrow.
I'm definitely not a morning person either, but i have to say I am a lot more of one now (just because I have to be!) with Lucy than I ever was before. When I was just working, 7:00am was like "why would anyone get up that early?!" and now it's just the normal time we start the day. One day they will be old enough to sleep longer or get up by themselves but I think by that time we won't be able to sleep in. haha.
ReplyDeleteJen, I had to check to see if I wrote this! I have struggled with this so much since I have become a mom. I keep telling myself that I will get it together enough to get up before them, get completely ready, eat, spend time with God, and throw in a little exercise. Hasn't happened yet. Here's to hoping!
ReplyDeleteWTG on making that "choice" to be kind in the morning. Everyone who knows me even a little bit knows I'm not a morning person either. Now my family is old enough that it works, but when they were younger, life just happens. And some of it happens in the morning. We adapt, right?
ReplyDeleteBTW, this post says it was posted at 4:44am. Is that accurate? If so, I thought it was a little funny considering the topic. :)