Kids Hate Sleeping
When I was young we have to do as we were told. No buts and most of all no complaining or else you will get a good hit with a magic wand. The magic wand comes in different forms and sizes whichever my Mama or Papa get their hands on first. You take your pick!
We are required to sleep early and the afternoon nap is a must. They always say we need it to grow. But don't believe it, I didn't grow that much! They also threaten us that if we don't take our nap between 2:30-4:00 we will not get "merienda". That's an afternoon snack. But who doesn't enjoy food? We are always looking forward to eating banana cue or turon with matching palamig sago at gulaman (pearl and jelly drink) from Ate Lina. She always sell those and is very good at cooking pansit and spaghetti for merienda.
We are 5 siblings and if we don't feel like sleeping we have to pretend that we are so we can get a snack. Pretending to sleep is a very hard job as you have to act really good to make your parents believe that you are indeed sleeping when you're not. I always think that they only want to get rid of us so they can be in peace doing their thing.
Then at night we have to be in bed. Oops, we don't have bed that time. I mean we have to sleep as early as 7pm so we can get up early for school. That time we can only walk from home to school. A very good exercise that we hate because we didn't sleep at night and our body and mind was not fully awake. We're like walking zombies.
And then fast forward to me having kids. And just like me and my siblings, they don't like to sleep either. They hate the word bedtime! You know as soon as I say bedtime they both have their ways and think of any possible ways not to. Here comes,
"Mummy, I'm hungry."
Like of all the time that they can eat, that's the time they choose to be hungry. Even you reminded them that they just ate an hour ago.
"Mummy, I need something to drink."
They will even try their luck by asking me to make them hot chocolate. Ah, NO!
"Mummy, just 10 more minutes!"
The 10 more minutes that end up into an hour till I'm the one who fell asleep waiting for them to sleep.
Pretending to Sleep
They are very good at this. High skilled professionals with matching eyes twitching. Oh I have a good laugh when they are trying so hard to look like they are sleeping. Just as we were when we were young!
Playing Phones/Gadgets
Oh many times with Jigz! Caught him many times and when I do the phone flies up to the air when I startled them with my presence. And then telling me it will help him sleep. Hahaha. Don't me, Jigz!
You will only know that they didn't sleep especially Tia because you will see the evidence all over the place and on her face.
The poor unicorn and dog becomes a victim of a child who couldn't sleep.
And if you can't sleep just put make-up on, Charaan! It works! I'm sleeping now, Mummy!
Like most of the kids here asleep by 8. Tia and Jigz are still up at 11 and it's very hard to put them in bed even when they are tired. That's why I don't really get rest and peace not 'in'. 😜 Even if I put them to bed at 9 they will still be up. And ever since Tia was a baby she never takes a nap and stays up late no matter what we do. Until now.
I wish I tried hard when they were a baby for them to have an early bed routine. Or maybe there's techniques I didn't know that might actually help me.
Any hacks, parents?
If only they know that when they get old, they will not be able to sleep even if they want to. And no one will give them a "free snack" but they have to buy or make their own. If only I knew, I could have slept when I was told to do so.
I somehow missed being a child who only worries about how to convince my parents that I'm asleep so I can get a snack.
Thank you for reading.
Where have you been, Momma? Is everything alright? We missed you here and on Noise. Please, get back when you can and a short message that you are alright would be fine too. Stay safe and healthy. Love you.