Forget Ambien: Grandparenting is the Cure for Insomnia!

Last Sunday night at 7:30, I turned to my husband and said, “Why am I so exhausted? I just want to go to bed right now.” He looked at me incredulously as if I had amnesia. He reminded me of everything we had done with the grandkids over the weekend. He listed our events, which included a Halloween Carnival and Haunted House, a baking project with our three-year-old granddaughter, two hours of Monopoly with our six-year-old grandson, fort building, Zombie chases throughout the house, book reading, and our traditional Saturday night sleepover followed by a big, home-cooked (by me) Sunday morning breakfast and then a day filled with more games and playtime.

Okay, now I’m tired just having read everything we did! I remember my ex-mother-in-law always talking about how tired she was, and I also remember thinking she was exaggerating for sympathy. At the time, I was in my early thirties and did not understand what it felt like to be in my 60s. I never wanted to be one of those people who lamented their tiredness as if it earned them a badge of honor. Yet, here I am, often taking my book and retreating to my bed by 9 p.m. ( and writing a blog about it!) Ahhh, karma does its job.

Halloween followed on the heels of our busy weekend with the kids. I filled in for my daughter and her husband at my grandson’s class party and then helped my daughter take the kids trick of treating. Our neighborhood goes all out for Halloween, beginning with food trucks in the New Haven Church parking lot and followed by hundreds of kids, parents, and grandparents filling the neighborhood with trick-or-treating, talking with friends, and looking at amazing decorations! It’s a fantastic, fun community event! Until last night, I didn’t know how fast a three-year-old, motivated by candy, could run! As much fun as it was, I was utterly exhausted by the time I returned to my house and greeted the last trick-or-treater.

I’ve often suffered from insomnia, but I’ve found that days spent with my grandkids are the cure. Keeping up with a three-year-old and a six-year-old is a lot! I pride myself on not depending on screen time when they are with me, but I admit there are times I give in and we watch a Disney movie. Sometimes, we order pizza instead of making it, and sometimes, we get bagels on Sunday morning. I remind myself of one of my favorite phrases: “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of good.”

What matters to the grandkids isn’t the food; it’s the focused attention they get from grandparents. It is a gift that we give them, and they give it right back to us. The grandparent-grandchild relationship is special in so many ways. It’s like a mutual admiration society, and I’m so glad I’m a member!

I’ve tried Ambien, and trust me when I say that the side effects are not worth the benefits. Grandparenting as a remedy for insomnia also has side effects, but I’ve found them to be advantageous. I sleep well on the days I play with my grandkids, but even better, I feel loved. I get hugs and kisses, fascinating conversations, and funny stories. I know how very lucky I am to live close to my grandchildren and be an integral part of their lives. They cure my insomnia, and they fill my heart!

It takes Ruby’s pie to get them to sit still long enough for a picture!