Part of being a shift worker is managing your sleep. It's so important to put your sleep above task and commitments that others might see as vital or socially/domestically imperative. Many times I have seen colleagues forego sleep for the sake of tradesman's visit, school dance recital, soccer match or specialists appointment. I totally get it! Those tradesmen are harder to book than a specialist, little Susan will blame you for that college failure if you don't attend every Soccer match and Johnny is already suspect with all those dance recitals. The thing I have a problem with is "Pre Dawn Sneak"
Rather like those deep tissue massages it's sometimes the hardest task to not yell "Enough" . Its the early morning visit from the 3-6 yr old I am talking about. He creeps in with all the grace and stealth of a baby elephant at least 3 to four times a week, climbs onto the bed, promises to be quiet, go to sleep and he only wants a cuddle because he "Loves you so much" and then he knees you in the kidneys whilst simultaneously jabbing a power ranger in your ear (if your lucky).
Secretly I kinda love it. The reality that there is a finite amount of time that he is going to want spend this way with me or his mother is very apparent. He is our last one and he is doing his part in making sure their isn't another. Its already started now he has mastered the video game console set up. Its at the point where I am almost disappointed when my iPhone reads 7:30 and the door is still shut.
Its costing me sleep, vital sleep that I need. I struggle driving home most days. So i want to say "enough!", but I won't and when it stops I will miss it. But that extra hour of sleep - how good will it be?