How to stay awake.

JemmaM91

Hi,

Probably a very stupid question, but does anyone have any tips on how to stay awake when you are absolutely exhausted.

I worked a late shift last night, (till 12 midnight) and an early shift this morning (5.30 start), I'm not complaining as at the end of the month there is money in my pocket.

My problem is OH has gone to work now for his late shift and I have got a very hyperactive toddler and I'm suddenly feeling like I can't cope. I know I need to stay awake until he's gone to bed later (around 7/8).

Does anyone have any tips?

Fluff15

I used to do a shift at a restaurant on a Friday, finish around 11/12, go out and come home about 3am, then off to my 9 hour shift at a bakers at 6am the next morning!

During that time, I'd live off energy drinks (Lucozade and Monster) and occasionally Pro Plus. It was by far not the healthiest way to do it, but it worked. During those hours I was constantly doing things - if I took a break I'd hit a wall and be exhausted. Maybe keep on your feet and do housework, involve your little one to get him tired out? Sorry I have no better suggestions! Good luck!

mrcow

Redbull

Or food

Or just put a movie on, cuddle up together on the sofa and have a snooze.

custardcream1000

I used to have this problem when I was at uni. I would stay awake all night to finish an essay and then find it very difficult to stay awake to look after my son the next day.

I would suggest going for a walk in a shaded area, or filling up a paddling pool/bucket and playing some fun water games.

I hope you manage to have a good sleep later

fluffnutter

Am I missing something? How can you fall asleep if you've got a hyperactive toddler harassing you all day?

If it's that you're just feeling too tired to cope (God I know that feeling) can you enlist some help? Friends? Relatives?

Counting_Pennies_2

If you are wanting to stay awake, the key is not to sit down, keep going through.

If however, I think you more need to have a snooze. I would put a dvd on the tv, have a cuddle, if he wont cuddle just say mummy is having a sleepy so just have a little play.

Only a few hours until bed. Get that cat nap in. As long as the house is safe for little one, and doors are closed so he is just in the room with you, it will give you that few minutes of power napping you need.

I used to do it when I was pregnant. Peppa Pig for 45 mins was enough for my DS to watch and enough for me to regain some strength

pigpen

I just have to keep moving and not sit down.. cooking, cleaning, etc. Avoiding sitting down or reading is advisable.

Ooh.. and copious quantities of tea or coffee... with sugar!

fluffnutter

My son's a toddler. There's no way I could sleep if he wasn't also asleep! He'd wreck the place, or attack the cat, or die or something.

neverdespairgirl

I agree with most of the above posters - if your toddler will agree to curl up on the sofa with you and watch a DVD, go for it, and have a snooze.

If toddler won't, stay upright, and moving. Sitting down will really, really not help. Going to the park / playing with a paddling pool will be much less annoying.

neverdespairgirl

fluffnutter wrote: »

My son's a toddler. There's no way I could sleep if he wasn't also asleep! He'd wreck the place, or attack the cat, or die or something.

My Granny said her worst what-has-my-child-done moment was when she was cooking, and her son came in from the living room and complained, "MUMMY! The cat won't stay on the fire!"

She legged it next door, to find a toddler-proof fireguard wasn't toddler proof after all, and a very cross, slightly singed, but otherwise unharmed cat glaring down from the top of a bookcase.

My 2 or 3 year old uncle did have some scratches, showing he might (or might not) have learned lessons about forcing cats to do things.

JemmaM91

Thanks everyone, I have been drinking red bull all day (very bad as I have SVT, but I'm sure 1 day won't hurt)

It's the light headedness that I'm struggling with the most,

Also I really worry about falling asleep and him being on his own (he's the sort of child that whilst you nip to the loo, he has managed to find a sneaky crayon or a pot of sudocrem and decides to make a mess lol)

Thanks for all advice/tips, only 2 hours 20 minutes to go!