Before stepping into parenthood, no one truly prepares us for the trials of bedtime—particularly with toddlers and young children. Sure, people might hint at it, but can they really articulate the sheer agony of those final hours when all you crave is for them to just go. the heck. to. sleep? Those moments stretch on indefinitely, leading you to believe that the ultimate punishment lies in a room full of little ones begging for one last sip of water or to share another “fun fact” about their favorite characters.
Now, in this age of quarantine, the post-bedtime bliss feels even more precious and necessary. That coveted hour after they finally drift off has become a lifeline for our sanity. While it’s impossible to fully brace for this exhausting nightly ritual, once you find yourself wrangling tiny bedtime rebels, you quickly learn the ropes. But take heart, dear parents; it does improve with time. As they grow older and more self-sufficient, the chaos subsides. Or maybe you just learn to let go of strict schedules, knowing they can bounce back from a late night without turning into emotional wrecks.
So, hold onto your patience, and remember that eventually, they will sleep. It’s a rite of passage, right?
How is it that others have children who sleep, while I’m here at midnight negotiating with my 2-year-old? I just want one peaceful evening without a bedtime showdown.
Confessionals
Confessional #18475693
I eagerly anticipate my own bedtime all day long. Seriously, all. day. long.
Confessional #18475694
Come on, kiddo, it’s 10 PM! Can you just stop needing things??
Confessional #18475695
At 39 years old, I find myself too exhausted for intimacy at bedtime; all I want is sleep. Anyone else relate?
Confessional #18475696
I thought bedtime was tough before self-isolation… oh, how wrong I was. I just need this to end so I can take my kid out, tire them out, and restore a normal bedtime routine.
Confessional #18475697
As parents of stubborn little ones who seem to be glued to us all day long, we all have our coping mechanisms. Sometimes, this includes indulging in a little “mommy medicine” after they finally settle down. No judgment here!
Confessional #18475698
It’s 5:30 PM, and my kids are napping late. Bedtime might not be smooth sailing, but I’m relishing the quiet.
Confessional #18475699
I stopped stressing over lengthy bedtimes with the baby; now I let him take the lead. I’ve learned to let some of the less critical things slide, and guess what? It’s liberating!
Confessional #18475700
Who cares if my kids have a bedtime? We do homeschooling on my terms, sleep in late, watch YouTube, and finish schoolwork in just four hours. Then I get to unwind with a drink and some games before bed.
Confessional #18475701
The hardest part is when family members don’t seem to comprehend what “bedtime” entails. Desperation sets in as you wish they all shared your understanding.
Confessional #18475702
I wish my partner would pitch in with the bedtime routine. Maybe then he’d grasp why you absolutely cannot just walk into the toddler’s room and turn on a toy!
Confessional #18475703
Even when my partner agrees to handle bedtime, I still end up reminding our daughter to brush her teeth and put on pajamas. What does he think “bedtime” means?
Confessional #18475704
You do you, sister, but don’t expect me to change my parenting style just because you do things differently. Yes, I believe my kids under 3 need a bedtime, even if it means they miss out on late-night activities.
Confessional #18475705
We’ve all been there—those nights when we feel we might just lose it. The despair creeps in, and you worry that they’ll never actually go to sleep.
Confessional #18475706
My 2.5-year-old fights every nap and bedtime. I just spent TWO HOURS lying with her while she resisted sleep. I’m at my wits’ end and can hardly breathe from the stress!
Confessional #18475707
My mom once praised my calm demeanor and boundaries with my 21-month-old. Little does she know, bedtime is when I’m at my breaking point. Why do kids loathe sleep so much?!
Confessional #18475708
I morph into a monster at bedtime.
Confessional #18475709
You’ll do whatever it takes to get them to sleep—anything! I stick to the same bedtime routine, and while it works like magic most nights, some evenings it feels completely futile.
Confessional #18475710
I really can’t stand bedtime; the chaos feels relentless. Just go to sleep already!
Confessional #18475711
My 3-year-old is a bedtime rebel. Same schedule, no nap, and the last two nights she’s fought sleep until midnight. It’s draining my sanity and my free time.
Confessional #18475712
I can’t handle this anymore. Bedtime has turned into a three-hour ordeal; they keep getting out of bed, and I’m losing it.
But here’s the silver lining! They won’t be three years old forever. One day, they’ll stop resisting sleep so fiercely. There will come a time when they might even tuck themselves in. Just the other night, my 3-year-old pushed me away during our routine and said, “You can go now! I’m fine.” I love her dearly, but I’m overjoyed she’s becoming more independent.
Confessional #18475713
I used to lie with my kids until they fell asleep, but one night, they were so rowdy for an hour. I finally had enough, walked out, and they cried for a minute, but now bedtime is way easier!
Confessional #18475714
My daughter said something hilarious at bedtime, and it took us 15 minutes to stop laughing long enough to read a story. I hope she remembers moments like that when she’s older.
So, yes, bedtime is the worst—right up there with potty training and preparing dinners that they’ll actually eat. Just hang in there, fellow parents! You only have to endure this routine about 987,000 times.
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Summary
Bedtime can be an exhausting ordeal for parents, especially when dealing with toddlers who resist sleep. Many parents find themselves longing for a moment of peace after a long day of parenting. However, there is hope as children grow more independent and bedtime becomes less chaotic. While every parent has their unique struggles, it’s important to remember that this phase is temporary and that one day, sleep will come easier.