Letter to Sleep Deprived Moms

Hi, Sleepy Mom.

How are you?

It’s probably been a while since someone has asked you that, right? Not just in passing but in a sincere way—looking you in the eyes and wanting a real answer. Because let’s be honest, being a mom entails a lot of behind the scenes work that doesn’t always get noticed. You wake up early, get everyone ready for the day, drop them off, work, clean, pick them up, make dinner, get everyone ready for bed, and go to sleep later than you wanted.

And you wake up and do it all again the next day. And the day after. Because motherhood isn’t a 9-5 job. It’s a lifetime job that rarely allows a personal day and requires you to play so many different roles—teacher, caregiver, cheerleader, counselor, chef, driver, and the list goes on and on.

Honestly, it’s exhausting just typing that.

So, how are you?

Are you doing OK?

Have you been taking care of yourself?

Between play dates and little league games and recitals and appointments, we know some days it feels impossible to do it all, but somehow you get it done, and we hope you know that even though you don’t do it for the recognition, they do recognize all that you do.

And if they don’t recognize it right now, they will one day.

Please keep your head up and keep going, even on the days when you’re so tired you want to cry. Especially on those days. And once you conquer those days (like you always do) please schedule a “you” day because you need that. You deserve that.

Take one day for yourself. Or one afternoon or evening. Whatever time you can afford to take, take it and spend it on you. Do something you like to do.

Get a manicure.

Binge watch TV in your pajamas.

Have brunch with your girlfriends or by yourself.

Walk around Target and buy things you don’t need.

It doesn’t matter what the activity is, just do it!

And before you start thinking of a hundred reasons why you can’t take time for yourself, think about how you would feel if one of your kids behaved like this. What would you tell your child if he/she was exhausted?

You would demand that they slow down or take a nap, wouldn’t you? Because that’s what Moms do.

Everyone needs to relax and recharge. Even SuperMoms.

So get that pedicure or take that nap. Do whatever you need to do to feel like you again.

You need that.

You deserve that.

Thank you for all that you do, Mom.