Reclaiming Our Sleep, Reclaiming Our Joy

I wanted to share a personal experience with you, one that led me on a transformative journey and ultimately shaped my path as a sleep training consultant. It's a story that speaks to the immense love I have for my child, but also to the critical need to prioritize our sleep for the sake of our well-being and the well-being of our little ones.

During a period of severe sleep deprivation, I found myself battling irritability, forgetfulness, and depression. But above all, there was a fierce anger that consumed me. It was the type of anger that surfaces on the worst of days, when everything seems to go wrong and frustration reaches its peak.

Imagine driving to work, cut off by an aggressive driver. Your partner unintentionally makes an insensitive comment. You accidentally spill coffee all over the kitchen table. The weight of a looming work deadline adds to your stress. And on top of it all, there's your precious, beautiful baby who simply won't sleep without you. You give everything you have, even when you feel like there's nothing left to give.

In those moments, I began to resent my baby after countless sleepless nights. My husband worked tirelessly, often away and during unconventional hours, building connections for his career. I felt utterly depleted and alone.

My anger started to surface one night when my baby woke up for the eleventh time within a few hours. I rushed to his side, desperately trying to soothe him by forcefully shoving the pacifier into his mouth. It was an act born out of sheer desperation and a loss of control over my own frustration and anger. The look of shock in my son's eyes snapped me back to reality, and tears streamed down my face as I held him, apologizing repeatedly for my reckless actions.

I felt like an utter failure of a mother.

I gently placed him in his crib once he fell asleep, and as I confessed what had transpired to my husband, his disbelief was palpable. "Fix this," he said, his voice filled with concern. He wanted to protect our son, and suddenly, I found myself cast as the villain. It was a wake-up call, a moment that made me realize the urgent need to confront my emotions and regain control.

And so, I took two crucial steps:

1. I sought the guidance of a therapist.

2. I reached out to a Sleep Training Consultant.

Let me tell you, when I finally experienced my first uninterrupted 5-hour stretch of sleep, and my son began waking only twice for feeds, my world shifted. A genuine smile returned to my face, and the love I felt for my son became clearer than ever before. Colors seemed more vibrant, even my home appeared more inviting. I could engage in conversations without struggling to find my thoughts amidst the mental fog.

I regained the ability to plan my day around my son's naps, and for the first time in ages, I cooked a complete meal without my baby in a wrap. I rediscovered the joy of music and savored the beauty of the world outside my window. It was as if I had reawakened to the simple pleasures I had taken for granted.

During this transformative period, I began chronicling my journey through blogging. It became my therapy, revealing layers of deep-rooted emotions that were intertwined with my lack of sleep. And as my sleep improved and I made peace with my mistakes and parts of my past, I welcomed a second child, purchased a franchise, and embarked on my own business venture.

Why do I share this with you? Not just to let you know my story, but to impart a crucial lesson: Fix your sleep. Help your baby meet their sleep needs and prioritize your own rest. By doing so, you can fully embrace the incredible journey of parenthood and nurture yourself as an individual, enabling both growth within your family, and within yourself.

My lesson was learned the hard way, and I would never want you to get to this point.

If you find yourself in a sleep-deprived haze, I'm here to offer my expertise and support. Simply book a free assessment call today to learn more about how I can help you reclaim your sleep and rediscover the joy that comes with it.

With warmth and understanding,

Sylvia Emokpae