I think I am the only person who DOES get enough sleep, on most nights!
I actually have a theory about this, too. It's almost like someone asking you if you are "stressed". There is really only one "real" answer, because if you say "no" (and who does?), then it comes off as you being "better than" for some reason. Being "stressed" in this society is like a badge of honor. Same with sleep. It becomes an office competition who got less sleep and is still standing.
I am a 30-something with a toddler, and can actually say that I get 8 hours of sleep 4-5 days per week. Sometimes even 7 days per week, if there is no illness or teething going on! I go to bed at 11pm and wake up at 7am. Is that abnormal??! Not too late getting to bed, but not "early", either. I know some moms who get up at 6am with their kids...they could still get 7 hours of sleep if they got to bed "late" at 11pm! I guess, the hours just don't add up in my head (is "everyone" getting to sleep at 2am and up at 6am? I can't imagine that is true).
I understand the college lifestyle of staying up all night with friends or studying. But the rest of us...are people really getting up earlier than 6am? Are they really getting to bed later than midnight? Why? Are they on the computer or watching TV? Is their house meticulous and they are cleaning into the wee hours? Are they having meaningful conversations with their spouses/partners every night? Are they getting work done, that wasn't able to get done between 8-5pm?. I can't imagine the majority of our society has sleep disorders, such as insomnia, or other medical conditions (menopause, etc), which is why I'm asking the battery of questions.
Help me understand! Why do I seem to be in the minority of people, moms with toddlers at that, who actually sleep? (Don't get me wrong: for 3 months straight I slept 2-3 hours/night with an infant. When my son is sick, I'm lucky to get 5 hours of sleep. I've had my bad sleep moments).
To sound like a grumpy old man for a moment (sorry for the stereotype), and I am speaking to the MAJORITY of individuals out there, not the exceptions or individuals with special/extraordinary circumstances. I am also not referring to individuals with medical reasons (menopause, for example):
- are the kid(s) keeping you awake? if so, are they sleep deprived, too?
- is office work keeping you awake? if so, are you really that important that you are needed 80 hours every week?
- is house work keeping you awake? if so, do you have the most thoroughly cleansed house on the block, or do you not have enough help/support?
- are you spending oodles of time at the computer and/or TV? if so, stop and go to sleep!
My bottom line is: do we really have a sleep problem, or do we have a problem with people letting go of work, cleaning, TV-watching or other task?
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I think I am the only person who DOES get enough sleep, on most nights!
I actually have a theory about this, too. It's almost like someone asking you if you are "stressed". There is really only one "real" answer, because if you say "no" (and who does?), then it comes off as you being "better than" for some reason. Being "stressed" in this society is like a badge of honor. Same with sleep. It becomes an office competition who got less sleep and is still standing.
I am a 30-something with a toddler, and can actually say that I get 8 hours of sleep 4-5 days per week. Sometimes even 7 days per week, if there is no illness or teething going on! I go to bed at 11pm and wake up at 7am. Is that abnormal??! Not too late getting to bed, but not "early", either. I know some moms who get up at 6am with their kids...they could still get 7 hours of sleep if they got to bed "late" at 11pm! I guess, the hours just don't add up in my head (is "everyone" getting to sleep at 2am and up at 6am? I can't imagine that is true).
I understand the college lifestyle of staying up all night with friends or studying. But the rest of us...are people really getting up earlier than 6am? Are they really getting to bed later than midnight? Why? Are they on the computer or watching TV? Is their house meticulous and they are cleaning into the wee hours? Are they having meaningful conversations with their spouses/partners every night? Are they getting work done, that wasn't able to get done between 8-5pm?. I can't imagine the majority of our society has sleep disorders, such as insomnia, or other medical conditions (menopause, etc), which is why I'm asking the battery of questions.
Help me understand! Why do I seem to be in the minority of people, moms with toddlers at that, who actually sleep? (Don't get me wrong: for 3 months straight I slept 2-3 hours/night with an infant. When my son is sick, I'm lucky to get 5 hours of sleep. I've had my bad sleep moments).
To sound like a grumpy old man for a moment (sorry for the stereotype), and I am speaking to the MAJORITY of individuals out there, not the exceptions or individuals with special/extraordinary circumstances. I am also not referring to individuals with medical reasons (menopause, for example):
- are the kid(s) keeping you awake? if so, are they sleep deprived, too?
- is office work keeping you awake? if so, are you really that important that you are needed 80 hours every week?
- is house work keeping you awake? if so, do you have the most thoroughly cleansed house on the block, or do you not have enough help/support?
- are you spending oodles of time at the computer and/or TV? if so, stop and go to sleep!
My bottom line is: do we really have a sleep problem, or do we have a problem with people letting go of work, cleaning, TV-watching or other task?
November 13, 2008 - 2:49pmThis Comment
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