Parenting has never been known as an easy task. It is a constant string of decisions and responsibilities, peppered with plenty of joys so you stay sane. The daily happenings in the life of a parent are enough to make you need a nap by 3 p.m. But most parents I know feel they aren't getting the amount of sleep that they need. Whether it's the keeping the same schedule as their newborn, or taking care of extra work late at night, parents are, in a word, tired. But if you're not a careful, sleep deprivation can affect your parenting, as well as your overall health — meaning it's time you give yourself permission to snooze as much as possible.
If you're like me, then you've have plenty of those days when the alarm goes off and you would bet your life that you just turned off your light and went to sleep. Not sleeping long or soundly enough can have effects that last well after you open your eyes the next morning. And multiple days of poor sleep can compound into long term troubles that effect your whole life. When you're not able to function at full potential, you will start to see the effects in how you parent.
When you're sleeping enough, it's easier to tackle parenting, and life in general. But in case you needed extra motivation to get some Zs, here are seven ways sleep deprivation effects your parenting.