Parenting
When my first child was born, I received an intense introduction to motherhood. Sore nipples, unexpected diaper disasters, and an infant who seemed to nurse around the clock made it clear that I was in for a challenging journey. My nights were spent pacing the nursery, bouncing a wailing newborn while I resembled a zombie in yoga pants. By the time six months rolled around, I was utterly drained and convinced that restful nights were a thing of the past.
Luckily, I had friends who had weathered the storm of infancy and toddlerhood. They generously shared their wisdom on nap routines and sleep schedules, often babysitting so I could catch some much-needed rest on days when fatigue blurred my vision. They would cradle my baby, inhaling his sweet newborn scent, and reassuring me, “Don’t fret; it all gets easier as they age. You’ll get your sleep back soon.” Desperate for relief and slightly delirious, I accepted their reassurances.
Looking back, I suspect those knowing smiles masked a more ominous truth: “She has no clue what’s in store when her kids hit their teenage years.”
Now that my children are teenagers, it’s true that I’ve long since stopped dealing with pacifiers and late-night diaper changes. However, 13 years later, I still find myself awake at night—and it might even be worse than during those sleepless infant days.
What they don’t tell you about parenting teenagers is that their social lives kick into high gear, often after dark. In the blink of an eye, my teens have plans that keep them out well beyond my preferred bedtime, a time I once imagined I’d have to indulge in leisurely reading. Instead, I find myself propped on the couch, eyelids heavy, eagerly awaiting their return at curfew.
When I have to pick up my son from a late-night event, my precious sleep is further delayed as I wait in the car, clad in pajamas, in dimly lit parking lots. I share silent solidarity with other tired moms, all of us wide awake while our kids enjoy their social lives. Who knew that Friday nights would find me in a parking lot, grumpy and sleep-deprived, while my son revels in the joys of youth? I crave sleep, but it eludes me.
In addition to the late nights, the worry that accompanies parenting teens is a full-time job. During their baby days, my biggest concern was listening for cries or the sounds of choking. Now, I lie awake fretting about the choices my teens might make when I’m not around, whether it’s experimenting with alcohol or other risky behaviors. I toss and turn, questioning if we’ve equipped them well enough to handle situations they may encounter. I even find myself praying that they’ll call if they need a ride home, rather than putting themselves in danger.
Though my kids can now sleep through the night, I feel more exhausted than I did when they were infants. As I contemplate the college years looming ahead, I can’t help but wonder how I’ll manage to sleep when they’re away, living in dorms far from home. The thought alone makes me tired.
With each passing day, I find myself reminiscing about their cribs—the safe, serene spaces where I knew they would be. Now, with teens, that sense of security has vanished. I often lie awake listening for signs of secret escapades during sleepovers, wishing for a modern version of a baby monitor for teenagers.
So, to the new moms out there grappling with fatigue: take advantage of those early years to rest while you can. Because once your children enter their teenage years, sleep becomes a distant memory.
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Summary:
As toddlers grow into teenagers, sleepless nights evolve from diaper changes to waiting for late-night returns and worrying about their safety. The transition from baby monitors to sleepless vigilance brings its own set of challenges, leaving parents yearning for the peaceful nights of infancy. Embrace the sleep you can get while you can, because teenage years present a whole new level of parenting fatigue.