The boys left around lunch time and will be back around dinner time. Lizze has been hard at work on a class project, and I took a solid, three hour nap.
That’s about the extent of our travels.
I can’t explain how exhausting my daily life is. When I have a chance for some guilt free sleep, I take full advantage. Would it have been nice to do something? Of course it would have, but sometimes it’s just not in the cards.
The level of exhaustion felt by an Autism parent is indescribable.
In many cases, sleep is a luxury we dont have, and neither is free time. When we do get a break, we have a choice. We can either gets some desperately needed sleep, or try and have some semblance of a life. In many cases, our bodies make the decision for us.
Elliott is 11 years old. As someone with sensory, sleep and anxiety issues, I understand what it’s like to deal with long hours of insomnia. I slept 8n between my parents on rough nights until I was nine. However, I eventually learned how to entertain myself in bed quietly without keeping my parents up. You need to try to teach Elliott and, in a year or two, Emmett, to do the same. You’re not doing him any favors. He needs to learn coping mechanisms. They may not always work, but you’ll probably get more sleep than you are now.
He does entertain himself. I just don’t like him being up all night alone. If I hang with him, he’s more likely to sleep but that comes at the expense of sleep for me.
You have mentioned this before, but I don’t know that I remember why you don’t like him/them alone? Is it simply your neighborhood? I know you know this, but sleep deprivation leads to all kinds of physical ailments. Even with all of the Vivent stuff you still don’t feel they could stay alone?
The problem is, good sleep or any sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. It’s good your parents could help.
Thanks Becky. You’re right. Good sleep isn’t a luxury, but unfortunately, for many parents it is..
You have mentioned this before, but I don’t know that I remember why you don’t like him/them alone? Is it simply your neighborhood? I know you know this, but sleep deprivation leads to all kinds of physical ailments. Even with all of the Vivent stuff you still don’t feel they could stay alone?
Elliott is 11 years old. As someone with sensory, sleep and anxiety issues, I understand what it’s like to deal with long hours of insomnia. I slept 8n between my parents on rough nights until I was nine. However, I eventually learned how to entertain myself in bed quietly without keeping my parents up. You need to try to teach Elliott and, in a year or two, Emmett, to do the same. You’re not doing him any favors. He needs to learn coping mechanisms. They may not always work, but you’ll probably get more sleep than you are now.
He does entertain himself. I just don’t like him being up all night alone. If I hang with him, he’s more likely to sleep but that comes at the expense of sleep for me.
The problem is, good sleep or any sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. It’s good your parents could help.
Thanks Becky. You’re right. Good sleep isn’t a luxury, but unfortunately, for many parents it is..