Karen Wang
A Special Needs Wake Up Call
The most surreal time of day for me is always the moment that I wake up - today I was awakened at 4:40am by a 6 year old who suddenly appeared at my bedside and informed me that he was finished sleeping. My children both sleep poorly - one for reasons related to his developmental disability, the other for completely different medical and emotional reasons.
So I’m never really sure where I am when I first wake up: my bed, one of the kids’ beds or on the floor next to a bed. I never know what time I’ll be starting the day. But I have to act quickly. There might a be a crash to investigate somewhere. Often there is loud crying in another room. I might hear the front door opening. Of course, I also have to get breakfast ready before the meltdowns start!
I have to ask myself:
- Shouldn’t I be happy that my children are so talkative after years of speech therapy?
- Grateful that they’re so active and intellectually curious?
- Welcoming of their love and affection, even if it’s three in the morning?
My First Words in the Morning
For two weeks, I kept track of the first words out of my mouth in the morning (in pink font), or if I was too sleepy to talk, the first words spoken to me (in green font). I think the result is an accurate representation of what really happens at home in the morning. Interestingly, my husband slept through the whole thing.
Friday: “Ow! Stop jumping on me!”
Saturday: “Go back to sleep. It’s still nighttime.”
Sunday: “Oh, good. We slept in until 7.” “No, Mom, I wasn’t sleeping. I was waiting for you.”
Monday: “Time for a snuggle.”
Tuesday: “Mommy, what’s 4 + 2 + 2 + 2?” “10.”
Wednesday: “It’s still dark. But it’s time for breakfast.”
Thursday: “You can’t just drop your whole body on the bed like that. You weigh 100 pounds and you could hurt me. Your knees landed right next to my head!”
Friday: “Happy birthday, sweetie. You’re 12 years old today.”
Saturday: “Shhhh. Let your Dad sleep in.”
Sunday: (Scuffle and whining.) “Be nice to your brother.”
Monday: “There’s no school today. Don’t get up.”
Tuesday: “Why aren’t you getting up, Mom?” “Because I’m tired and I want to sleep.”
Wednesday: “Come on, Mom. It’s time to get up.” “Help me.”
Thursday: (Toilet flushes and child immediately starts poking my face.) “Go back and wash your hands.”
Friday: “Put your head on the pillow next to me so I can kiss you.”
Saturday: "Mom, where's the red paint pen? I woke up at 5:58. Can you get me some AA batteries? I took 3 more turns at my Monopoly game with Dad, and I'm going to surprise him when he wakes up because I bought another monopoly! Did you know that you can carry a pen in your shoe? Why don't you want me to turn on the light? Why is this golf ball pink?"
Sunday: “I love you.” “But I love you more, Mom.”
What are your first words in the morning?
