21 Comments

Yes I feel you, sandwiched by two small children every night after the initial short stretch they manage alone. Mothering requires the deepest softening to everything I’d never even imagined. At the same time, I also know I will look back on these days fondly (doesn’t always make it any easier at the time though). Keep going, sending love and restfulness xx

Expand full comment
author

Thank you Lyndsay, I needed that <3 The both/and of motherhood is wild isn't it?

Expand full comment

I have two young children and I am able to sleep now that they are not infants. It will get easier in that regard. I would love to see there be more community and support for mothers though. We have had to bear an enormous load for the well-being of our children and households. I love the book Essential Labor about this.

Expand full comment

Hi Asia, as a mother of a two year old girl, I see you. I know how hard it is to function without sleep. It's beautiful you found the strength to shift the moments of polarization into gratitude. And yet, sometimes it's just hard and that needs to be acknowledged. So, I see you ❤

Expand full comment
author

Polarization into gratitude... thank you for this Andreea. I will remember this in the middle of the night. I am seeing you too ❤

Expand full comment

Seeing you and feeling it all. Xx

Expand full comment
Aug 12Liked by Asia Suler

My oldest (now 10) went through a sleep regression every 4 months for the first several years of his life. It was hard to pinpoint what cycle of existence caused this. I do know, with certainty, that it was in a morning of sleepless angst that I clearly felt the inner me, inside, looking out with peaceful calm, at the panicky, angry me and realizing that this was the timeless version of me, always accessible and present.

Expand full comment
author

How absolutely beautiful Karina. This just felt like drinking a cup of the clearest spring water today. Thank you, thank you.

Expand full comment

I'm lying awake mid morning while my baby has just returned to sleep. I keep seeing an image in my mind. The stones on the bank of the river and beach. They look soft and smooth and able to flow with the tides of the ebbing waters, ONLY because they have been beaten and tossed around softening all of the hard edges away. Maybe this is what happens to us as mothers as well.

Expand full comment
author

Sigh, yes. I feel this deeply. From one river stone to another 🤍

Expand full comment

Absolutely beautiful and resonates to the bone 🩷 thank you for all you do

Expand full comment

Thank you for this! I feel like I’m actually on the other side of this finally and the sleep I get now is so much more precious. Now we move on to find this elusive grace in this stage of motherhood and all the rest to come 😅

Expand full comment
Aug 11Liked by Asia Suler

Asia, thank you. I feel this so much. I have also struggled with sleep since my son (now 4) was born. And had that panic at 2am moment last night! Next time I’ll try “acceptance” for a mid-night mantra. Sending all my heart wishes to you for grace, AND the sweetest rest!

Expand full comment
author

And to you Lisi! May we both experience miracle nights of deep sleep and touching grace again

Expand full comment
Aug 11Liked by Asia Suler

Thanks so much for writing this. I feel seen and less alone in these oftentimes graceless and exhausting days with (in our case two) small children. Thanks for reminding me of accepting and surrendering instead of fighting.

Expand full comment
author

I am with you Rachel 🤍 Standing beside you in this landscape of graceless grace.

Expand full comment

Sleepy mama here, thank you for these beautiful words of wisdom. 🌹 You’re doing great, we’re doing great. 🫖☕️

Expand full comment
author

I needed this today Erin, bless you. 🤍

Expand full comment
Aug 11Liked by Asia Suler

As always, this resonates so much. Thank you, Asia. 🦋

Expand full comment
Aug 11Liked by Asia Suler

I feel this on so many deep levels with our two babies, each having their own sleep issues at different times and all of us in the same room! So sweet but so tiring!

Expand full comment

This is oh so relatable. From one bleary-eyed, exhausted mum to another: you’re doing great.❤️

Expand full comment