The value of sleep

I have heard that we are a nation of the sleep-deprived. I'm beginning to believe it. Articles cite stress, overwork, long commutes, TV, and everything in between for our nation's lack of sleep. I blame children. The people I know without children seem to spend an obscene amount of time in bed. Those of us with kids never seem to spend enough.

Recently, I was talking to a girlfriend about sex and marriage and if marriage really reduces the amount of sex for people. She told me that ever since she had kids, she can't even get to her bed to find out. How true and how sad.

It seems like the time when children are asleep is the most valuable commodity for parents who desire everything from a clean house to an intimate moment. How do you pack an adult life into that fine line between when your kid sleeps and you do?

Recently, I realized I was overpacking my life. This realization happened when I looked down into the drawer I had open in the kitchen and saw a bag of carrots. How many things have I misplaced? How many activities have I been doing with half a sleepy brain? I mentioned this carrot moment in a couple of forums and got some interesting responses. It seems that every parent I know has had a carrots-in-a-drawer moment. At least my moment didn't involve missing clothing!

I also found out that a lot of parents are hiring babysitters or asking family to watch their kids just so they can sleep. What does this say about us as a nation? Why can't we sleep?

Lately, it seems like I want to stay in bed and the kids want to be up. The other morning, they woke me up with, "wake up Mommy. We are hungry and don't know how to cook."

I think that's what it comes down to. They don't know how to cook, clean, do the taxes, pay the mortgage, or iron my clothes. Once I get them taught all this, I plan to sleep. For a week.