Setting a Bedtime and Bedtime Routine

 

I’ve always been one to stay up late and get up early. I can function on very little sleep. I claim that I don’t need eight hours of sleep in order to function. Throw a toddler into the mix and I find myself changing my tune. No longer can I pull a few hours of sleep and be able to spread my time among my husband, child, home, job, family, and friends. Oh, and find some me time too.

But, since I’m a full-time work-at-home/stay-at-home mom, I need to push myself, pull crazy hours, and get the job done. What does that mean? I have a schedule that can be tough on my body and mind.

Everyone is busy. Everyone has a laundry list of stuff to get done every day. Everyone has a million and a half things to juggle day in and day out. But, one thing is very important. Everyone needs sleep. That’s right, if your body isn’t fueled and energized thanks to sleep, how can you accurately and fairly be present for everything that’s going on in your life?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about setting a bedtime for myself. Just about every morning of the week, I wake up to a toddler’s voice on the baby monitor. Once the clock strikes 6:00 a.m., it’s go to time for our son. Now, there are some mornings when he sleeps until 7:15 and then there are some mornings when he is ready to go at 6:30. One thing is certain, he’s a morning kid and when he’s up … well, he’s up and ready to tackle the day. What does that mean? I need to be up and ready to tackle the day.

In order to help him grow, thrive, and stay energized, he has a strict bedtime of 7:00 p.m. My husband and I have always believed in creating a routine for our son and, even though we had no idea what we were doing at the beginning (read: first time parents), I think we hit the nail on the head when it came to his bedtime routine.

Setting a Bedtime

But, what about my bedtime routine? Yes, I have a job to do. Yes, I have a family to care for. Yes, I have me time that usually happens late at night when the house is quiet (read: it’s the only time that I can either squeeze in a little more work, write on my blog, enjoy a little bit of television, and eat some chocolate). But, if my son has a bedtime in order to feel energized the next day, then why don’t I?

So, I need to set a bedtime. Even if I go to bed a little later than my set bedtime, at least I know that I’m going to bed “past my bedtime.”

Creating a Bedtime Routine

I also need to set a better routine for myself. I need to shut down the electronics earlier, crawl into bed after my bedtime bathroom routine, pick up a book (I want to get back into reading since I love it so much), and shut it down for a good night’s sleep.

I’m going to work on figuring out a good time for me to go to bed in order to feel refreshed and energized the next day. Will it be 10:00, 10:30, or 11:00? Seeing as how it’s 11:30 p.m. as I’m writing this, I guess it’s probably “past my bedtime” which means … well, goodnight.

What is your bedtime?

Photo via Pinterest.