Every parent is a busy parent, but a single parent is most likely overwhelmed. You are alone and there is no one else to rely on 95% of the time, maybe even 100% of the time depending on your circumstance.
We crave what we need the most and that is usually the thing that we get the least of. A single parent is tired pretty much all of the time. We are severely lacking in the area of our lives that will keep us going strong, yet we cannot satisfy the need because there is not enough time. I have news for you. There will never be enough time so stop waiting for it to happen. It is up to you to make the time. You need to let something go in your life in order to do this. You need this in order to recoup your strength and be ready for yet another day.
Not getting enough sleep can result in a decreased level of thinking, immunity, and emotional stability. It can affect us in other ways as well, such as impaired speech, slower reflexes, irritability, heart disease, high blood pressure, tremors, and depression.
If you are not getting enough sleep it will eventually catch up to you. Prioritize your responsibilities and take time out to get some additional sleep. Cleaning the house can go by the wayside every once in a while so that you can sneak in a little nap now and then. The dust bunnies will not run away. It can be taken care of another day. Make a point of going to bed one hour earlier every night for starters. If you must, schedule a nap in for yourself a couple of days a week, on the weekends maybe. If you have young children maybe you can all lie down and watch a movie together and you can rest your eyes at least. If your children are older then maybe you can interest them in something and you can lie down close by and rest that way. If you have older children and younger children enlist the help of the older ones to help supervise the younger ones while you take a short rest nearby.
Sleep deprivation can have alarming effects on the body and even take away from your life span. If you do not feel that you can do this for yourself, then think of your children and do it for them. You need to take care of yourself in order to best take care of them. You will be a better parent for it.
Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, and health