Written by Rachel Gorton, A bleeping sleep expert

Long ago in the land of no children, there was this thing I loved dearly that I miss so very much. It brought me great joy.  It could make things right; it made all things possible. It had this way of making me feel like nothing else could. It was my very best friend.

Sounds amazing right? 

Unfortunately, I learned it was very jealous and it found a new home when my little man arrived.

Ah Sleep. 

Yes, you know that one relationship you wish you could make better but it seems like a lost cause? 

Sometimes my friend comes back around on a random Tuesday night. But then almost as soon as it comes, it leaves. The good thing is, after many long sleepless nights, I’ve learned a lot from my relationship with it that I can now pass on to my fellow heartbroken Momma.  I’m here to tell you that you can get it back. It’s going to take some work, but you can do it!

Don’t believe me?  Read on…

Here are the Top 5 ways to regain the control in your relationship with sleep…

1. Make it a priority. As I mentioned, sleep is a jealous sucker.  You’ve got to make it a priority for not just you, but your entire family. Once you do that, you will start to see the relationship get back on track.  This means sometimes making sacrifices…like NO Netflix or chocolate sundaes at 9pm.
2. Finding the right balance is key. You know that one friend who you think is so great you could just spend all of your time with her? But then you realize at some point it actually becomes unhealthy…yeah sleep is like that.  Especially when it comes to your LO, you have to find that sweet spot of just the right amount of time.  So to be clear, yes I am telling you it is possible to get too much sleep.  
3. You must take a good look at your relationship with sleep overall. It’s easy to feel resentful and frustrated with sleep, because you’re feeling neglected and emotional.  I get it.  But listen, you have to set an example for your kiddos, and I hate to break it to you but they are watching every move you make and ultimately will follow in your footsteps.  In order to teach them to love sleep, you need to love sleep.  So apologize and make up.
4. Quality time is sleep’s love language.  Put the cell phone down.  Turn off the TV.  All of those distractions in your day to day life…by Felicia.  There is a time and place for those and it is NOT during your time with sleep.   
5. You need it. “But I’m a strong independent fierce woman!”  Yes, all that.  You literally can’t survive without it.  Annoying, right?  Don’t give it the cold shoulder and whatever you do, none of that ghosting business.

Your heart will literally break (or stop) and you will die.

I’m no relationship expert, but I do know one thing.  No relationship survives without self-sacrifice.  If we all did what we wanted to all the time, well it would be madness and chaos. (Yes even more than it already is)  You’ve got to think about how you can give a little to get a little. Know what I mean?

You got this!

Go Momma Go!  Go Momma Go!