Ah, sleep. That glorious thing you never truly appreciated until you became a mum. Once upon a time, you took it for granted—long, uninterrupted nights, lazy weekend lie-ins. And then? Boom. Motherhood. Now, sleep is a distant memory, much like your pre-baby jeans and the concept of finishing a cup of tea while it’s still hot.

The Reality of Sleep Deprivation

Let’s be honest: nothing truly prepares you for the level of exhaustion that comes with a newborn, a teething toddler, or a child who simply refuses to sleep for no apparent reason. You read all the books, tried all the ‘gentle sleep methods,’ but somehow, you still find yourself rocking a wide-awake baby at 3 AM, questioning every life choice that led you to this moment.

The worst part? The world keeps turning. You still have to function. Work deadlines, school runs, remembering to buy toilet paper—society does not pause for your sleep-deprived haze.

Coping Strategies for the Perpetually Tired

Since society refuses to grant sleep-deprived mums an official nap time (rude), here are a few ways to survive:

1. Forget ‘sleep when the baby sleeps’ – Lovely in theory, but let’s be real: that’s often your only time to eat, shower, or just sit in silence staring at the wall. Instead, aim for ‘rest when you can.’ Even closing your eyes for a few minutes helps.

2. Caffeine is your friend (within reason) – That morning coffee? Essential. That fourth coffee at 4 PM? Probably counterproductive.

3. Lower the bar – The house doesn’t need to be spotless, and the laundry can wait. If you’re exhausted, prioritise the basics: food, hydration, and getting through the day with as little effort as possible.

4. Accept help (or ask for it!) – If someone offers to watch the baby while you nap, say yes. If no one offers, ask. You are not meant to do this alone.

5. Remind yourself: this is a phase – It will get better. One day, they’ll sleep through the night. And one day, you’ll get to be the one waking them up early just for fun.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Sleep deprivation is brutal, but it won’t last forever. In the meantime, be kind to yourself. You’re doing an incredible job, even if you can’t remember what day it is or why you walked into the kitchen. And when the sleep-filled nights return? Oh, they’ll be glorious.

Until then, pour that coffee, grab those under-eye patches, and remember—you’re not alone. We’re all in this bleary-eyed, caffeine-fuelled journey together.

Now, where did you put your cup of tea? (Spoiler: it’s cold.)