It’s nearly midnight, and my three children are peacefully slumbering. The dog is sprawled out on my bed, tail wagging occasionally as she dreams. I’m nestled against my pillows, iPad resting in my lap while my husband snoozes beside me. I’m about to hit play on the latest episode of my favorite series.
Despite the fatigue weighing down my eyelids, I can’t help but resist the urge to just call it a night. The exhaustion from juggling work, parenting, and daily responsibilities crashes over me by 9 PM, making it tempting to just close my eyes. But the allure of some “Me Time” often prevails over my desperate need for sleep.
The tranquility of a quiet house is my own slice of paradise. There are no demands on my time—no crying, yelling, or the endless questions about why my hair is unkempt or my body has changed. It’s in these late hours that I can unwind, forget the day’s chaos, and immerse myself in a good book or a binge-worthy show. I cherish these moments alone, and I know I am not alone in this sentiment.
My mom friends and I often joke about our late-night conversations at 1 AM, all of us wide awake. Sometimes, it’s the mental clutter that keeps our minds racing, but more often than not, we simply choose to extend our day. We tackle our responsibilities—working, volunteering, shuttling kids, guiding our partners and friends, cooking for everyone, ensuring everyone’s needs are met, and finally, tucking our loved ones into bed.
By the end of it all, we’re touched out, talked out, and in need of some solitude. Sleep may be tempting, but it rarely competes with the desire for personal time. So, what do we do when we finally have the house to ourselves at night? Here’s a peek into our late-night activities:
- Scrolling through Facebook and Instagram.
- Dreaming about Pinterest recipes we’ll likely never make.
- Browsing home décor sites for the perfect rug.
- Shopping for luxury towels, face serum, and comfy yoga pants—filling our cart but rarely hitting purchase.
- Buying everything possible on Amazon Prime.
- Ordering groceries via Instacart because who has time to shop in person?
- Stocking up on essentials from Costco that weren’t available on Instacart.
- Catching up on our favorite family vlogs on YouTube.
- Watching pimple-popping videos (don’t judge).
- Enjoying back-to-back movies.
- Binge-watching Netflix series.
- Folding laundry while simultaneously watching Netflix.
- Listening to intriguing podcasts.
- Taking long, uninterrupted showers.
- Pampering our skin with masks or peels without anyone staring at us.
- Relishing the fact that NO ONE IS TOUCHING US.
- Diving into a beloved book or blog.
- Reading through saved Facebook posts.
- Checking out that article on clean eating.
- Fantasizing about going vegan.
- Ultimately deciding against veganism.
- Indulging in all the non-vegan Girl Scout cookies.
- Sneaking ice cream or our secret stash of chocolate and chips—no sharing allowed.
- Crafting lists of dream vacation spots.
- Jotting down to-do lists for the next day.
- Sifting through the thousands of photos on our phones, reminiscing about how quickly our kids are growing.
- Contemplating how fun sex could be but feeling relieved that our husbands are asleep.
- Writing.
- Crocheting.
- Solving crossword puzzles.
- Messaging friends who are also awake, indulging in ice cream and binge-watching our guilty pleasures.
As you can see, our late-night hours feel like a solo pajama party. Forget the advice that suggests we should aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep for optimal well-being; I’m more interested in enjoying some time alone. Sure, I’ll be tired in the morning and may grumble about it, but a strong cup of coffee or a large Diet Coke will usually do the trick.
One day, when the kids have flown the nest, I’ll likely master the art of going to bed at a reasonable hour. Until then, I embrace the late nights, charcoal mask on my face, with just one more episode of my favorite show to enjoy.
In summary, moms often stay up late to carve out precious “Me Time” amidst their busy lives. Whether it’s indulging in guilty-pleasure shows, browsing online shops, or simply enjoying solitude, these late-night hours become a cherished escape from the daily grind.
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