Confession of the Sleep Deprived Mommy

I stay up way too late.

Almost every night.

I'm not sure when exactly this horrible habit started but I really need it to stop. (I tried to actually go to bed at a decent hour but it was too early and I woke up and was not able to go back to sleep.)

I really think that this bad sleep schedule is affecting my family and my relationship with God negatively.

First and foremost, my children are usually the ones to wake me up. I have been getting up with them. This starts the day off way too chaotic. Most mornings I don't spend any time with God because as soon as my feet hit the ground I am taking care of little ones. I always say I'll do it during nap time or while they are playing but this rarely happens. It also makes me feel very rushed and unprepared for the day. I don't feel like I have on any armor, let alone the full armor. And it never fails that most nights I go to bed without giving God the proper priority in my life.

Secondly, it affects my children. Mostly because if Mommy is not in tune with God, she is not going to be properly equipped to train and lead them for the day. Also, I'm not really ready to give them proper care and attention in that first hour or so. I'm not a morning person at all.

When I let her wake me up breakfast will usually consist of a cereal bar, banana and milk. There is no thought to the nutritional value at all. She eats the easiest thing from the cabinet. She will also watch tv because it is nearly impossible to give Corbin his bottle and do anything else. (He likes to cry off and on during feedings.) I would really like to teach Michaela to spend time with God in the morning and get a good start to her day. I'm learning that it is extremely hard to break a bad habit once it's established.

I have justified staying up late in the past by saying it's the only time that I can get things done around here since the kids are asleep. There is some truth to this statement but I need to look at how it is affecting my priorities and my family. If I put God first He will give me the desires of my heart. I really think that if I put God first the rest will fall into place.

My goal for the week:

Get up at 6:30 every morning. This should give me 1.5-2 hours in the morning before the kiddos get up. I'll let you know how it goes.

(p.s.- I posted this at 12:47 at night.)