Isla looked at my face this morning and asked a very maybe wise beyond her years/obvious/ simple question:
Mummy, why don’t you sleep at night?
What could I say?
Because I’m cold,
Because I’m reading,
Because I’m hungry,
Because I feel crowded,
Because I feel alone,
Because I think too much,
Because it’s too quiet.
Are you breathing?
Have I done enough?
How old am I?
How old are you?
Shit.
Because I’m crafting complicated sentences.
Fuck it.
What time is it?
What year is it?
Because I miss you,
Because I’m thinking of your face.
Because what the hell is that noise?
I’m hungry.
Should I just get up?
No, I’m cold.
Is that more snow?
And so, I looked at Isla this morning, and answered, ‘Because Daddy snores.’
(Read this for practical tips for a good night’s sleep.)
Join the Gin & Lemonade newsletter!
Subscribe to get a roundup of posts and other groovy stuff every week!
Also published on Medium.
29 Comments
I agree, Because Daddy snores really does cover it all. 🙂
Neil laughed at that line! I was like, ‘Really, though?’
That is a lot that goes on in the mind behind the scenes.
But what a great answer 🙂
And I still told the truth.
* thumbs up *
You missed out mine. It’s the steroid treatment and the fortnightly chemotherapy. Awake till late (or early) then zonked all day! Love because Daddy snores, that just about covers it all! X
Sending you good vibes, Gill. xox
I understand lady
I know you do. Like happy nursery acceptance day yesterday? Yes and no? <3
Oh aye – exactly that 🙂 x
Yes, so many reasons! And I love how this simple post conveys all the complexity of how we share grown up information with little people. Its not that they can’t handle the answers, it’s that the answers are so gnarled and numerous speaking the whole truth becomes almost impossible. I like how you handled it, and I really loved the post.
Thank you, Angela.
The P.S. to this post was she happily replied, ‘OK!’ and went off to school. Oh, to see the world like that again.
So
much to ponder
packed into
the brevity
of thoughts
love
sadness
creativity
the quiet
country life
the clamoring
busy mind
thoughts
flash spark
bounce about
kinetic
parents skull
fishing
for the honest
answer
to the thoughtful
sensitive
inquisitive child.
It was
is ever
thus.
~ Campah
See, not my fault. 😉
Love the creativity of this. Packing a lot of adult issues into a simple response for a little one – well done. 🙂
So many truths in this poem. Love it
YES!
Lol! That would be my answer too xx
This says it all x I loved it.
The perfect answer! 🙂
Lol!!! All those things whirl round my head too, but that was a great simple answer 🙂
Oh gosh – it is so hard when you can’t sleep, especially if it’s someone’s snoring to blame!
Ha Ha yes I have this problem too! It’s very annoying
Aww this is so beautiful and lists so many reasons! If I cant sleep it is because my boyfriend is snoring too loudly or because I am worrying about something the next day and then I worry I wont have enough sleep!
Oh bless you, I also have struggles sleeping at night because I have insomnia. I have anxiety which means my mind tends to go into overdrive when I am trying to sleep. It is amazing the questions that children ask us though!
This is so true! Sleeping can sometimes get challenging. Haha
Daddy snores so much we’ve kicked him out the bed and his on the sofa ha
This was hilarious, but really sweet at the same time!! I think Daddy snoring adequately satisfied her inquiring mind ?
Love that final sentence! And I think you’ve captured my trying-to-fall-asleep mind.