fatigue disaster
tired? Parents tell of their sleep deprivation highlights
At five in the morning, many children are already full of energy – so we parents can sometimes lack sleep.
© natalialeb / Adobe Stock
In the morning, the chilled orange juice is “blown cold” or salt is poured into the coffee? Do not worry! You’re not alone with small fatigue mistakes like these.
Everyday family life can be hectic: long days, short nights – and with the children there is often no need for an alarm clock. Jumping into the parents’ bedroom at five in the morning is usually a matter of course for the little energy bolts. Then it’s time to get up, dear mum, dear dad, dear parent!
The head chaos gone wild
The beautiful, albeit strenuous moments that we experience with our little ones, mostly during the day or at night, can sap our abilities. Even with the smallest things, our brain suddenly capitulates and this leads to us wearing our t-shirts inside out all day or emptying the laundry into the toilet instead of into the washing machine. But most of the time we end up laughing or shaking our heads at the strange moments of tiredness.
Our ELTERN colleagues were curious and wanted from the Facebook users and families in Urbia Network know what kind of tired mishaps have already happened to them. Here are our top 10 fatigue fails:
The 10 best moments when parents were just too tired
1 out of 10
I was short on time and my older daughter (7 years old) was already pushing and the baby was crying. So I put the older daughter’s pacifier in her mouth and looked for my handbag. I will never forget the look from the baby and my older daughter (she still had the pacifier in her mouth).
2 out of 10
In the evening I continued to watch children’s television alone and only noticed it after the kids had already been in bed for an hour.
3 out of 10
I’ve accidentally used hairspray instead of deodorant.
4 out of 10
Accidentally licked the spoon while preparing dog food…
5 out of 10
My highlight: After a particularly restless night, I gave my child the rinsing water from the coffee machine (i.e. the water that the fully automatic machine lets out during the rinsing process) instead of tea to drink. The cups happened to look similar. He took a long gulp and didn’t bat an eyelid.
6 out of 10
I paid for the purchase at the checkout and then left the bags. Then I walked home with the baby. Well, at least I haven’t forgotten the baby.
7 out of 10
Spraying shaving cream on hair instead of hairspray looked fantastic!
8 out of 10
I brushed my teeth with foot cream (or at least tried to). It was only a few seconds before the taste in my mouth started to feel weird.
9 out of 10
At some point on the way, our three-year-old said: “But Mom, why are you wearing different shoes?”
10 out of 10
A tip: cough syrup instead of caramel syrup in the coffee is not tasty!
Find and use breaks
Sometimes even short rest periods are enough to recharge our energy reserves. Here are a few ideas to help you take a break or a little nap:
- “Look, I look like you!”
Most children love going through their parents’ clothes, dressing like them and acting out the roles. Then your closet is like a big disguise box for her. Another highlight: If you can put a box of costume jewelry next to it, the:die will also let the children’s imagination skyrocket. - Once upon a time, a long time ago
For a short break it is helpful a few audiobook reserves in reserve to have – and then it’s time to put on the headphones and immerse yourself in the story. - The children’s cave as a parent-free zone
Oh how exciting it can be for the little ones when they have their very own kingdom. Not only in the form of their bedroom, but in the form of a castle ceiling or children’s cave. It’s often said: parents have to stay outside or they can only enter the work of art with special permission from:der Kinderkönig:in.
And if all of that doesn’t help, we shouldn’t forget our loved ones, who are usually happy to take a few hours off our shoulders at such moments: there are often people in our circle of friends and family who are excellent babysitters – and who have exciting ideas for have our children in stock. Because a break for our mind and body is sometimes simply necessary, depending on how tired we are.