Sleep Ponderings From Us: As Her/His Head Hits the Pillow...

As Mom's Head Hits the Pillow: Most nights I am tired and ready to go to sleep, but some nights as my head hits the pillow my mind is racing. Racing with what I have to do tomorrow, what kind of parent I want to be, areas I need to work on, things I want to write about... Nights like this make it very hard to fall asleep and get the sleep I need so desperately to be the non-cranky, ready to deal with excited children, patient, loving mom I want to be. And yet my mind races as much as I tell it to turn off. Some nights I just pull out a piece of paper and write down all of my thoughts to clear my mind and expedite sleep. Some nights I get up- especially if the husband has started snoring- and go do something- especially if it is a something that is making my mind race. Some nights I just wait, or count sheep as I reach for the realm of sleep.

As Dad's Head Hits the Pillow: There is always something on my mind. If I'm not worried about work or bills or my children or other heavy life situations I get to dream a little. Dreams range from surfing to fly-fishing to farming, but they always settle me into a peaceful sleep. Having experienced the stress of owning a company and zero-income months I've become a pro at interrupting stressful thoughts and replacing them with good dreams. If I can't seem to shake a bad thought I get up and read or journal.