“Wide Awake at 3:30AM – A Love Letter from the Trenches of Motherhood”

Dear Tired Mom,

It’s 3:30 AM and my toddler is wide awake.

I’ve rocked him for what felt like forever—maybe 30, 45 minutes—switching out with his dad when one of us started dozing off mid-rock.

By 4:30, I convinced him to go back to his room. We paused for allergy meds and eye drops for his itchy eyes. But then came the “I don’t want to be alone” plea.

Now it’s 5:20 AM. I’m on the crash pillow. He’s climbing over me like I’m a jungle gym, watching Elmo.

And then—just as my body aches and a migraine threatens to break through—he whispers, “Mom, you’re my hero,” and kisses my cheek.

I want space. I’m tired. I feel like a hostage in a preschool prison.

But even now, there’s something sacred in this chaos.

So here’s to the tired moms.

To the ones who do it anyway.

To the ones who feel like they’re running on fumes but still show up.

Happy Wednesday.

This moment—loud, messy, wild—is still a blessing.

And this little boy? He’s still my gift.

With love and whispered strength,

—Daquana