You finally got the baby to settle down and nap. Tiptoeing out of the nursery, you think of 100 things that you could do. Going to wash up and get ready for the day is what you prioritize. You put on your headband and start to wash your face and BOOM, you hear a cry from the baby monitor. Tilting your head back with emotions of “WTF” and the wave of feelings of disappointment, sadness and letdown flow in. “Why won’t they just sleep?!” You walk into the nursery, pick them up in their snuggly sleep sack and begin to rock.
Sound familiar? That moment is such a rollercoaster, isn’t it? It’s like you get a tiny taste of freedom, only for it to slip away in an instant. You finally have a second to breathe, and then—bam! they’re awake, needing you all over again. It’s one of those bittersweet realities of parenthood. You crave rest and personal time, but you also want nothing more than for them to feel comforted and secure. Even with all of the emotions, there’s this instinctive switch –immediately holding them, rocking them, and trying to soothe them again. Because, even in the middle of the frustration, you’re still “all-in” for them. It’s such a beautiful yet challenging part of the journey.
Believe it not, your child will sleep one day, and you will begin to feel like you again.
Promise.
The Inspiration Behind the Post
As I rocked my 11-month-old daughter back to sleep, I found myself writing this poem to calm my nerves. She had only been asleep for 20 minutes, and all I wanted was a moment to wash my face and put on real clothes. But as my frustration melted away, I began to ‘take it all in.’ I know I’ll miss these contact naps one day, even if they’re hard to fully appreciate in the moment.
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By Stefanie
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