Tips for overwhelmed moms

We’ve had a couple sleepless nights at my house recently thanks to a teething baby who thinks 1 a.m. is a perfectly acceptable time to get up for the day. Try to tell her otherwise and you’re in for a few hours of blood-curdling screams.

So my husband and I have been taking turns rocking, soothing and playing with her in the wee hours of the morning. We are both exhausted, as well as jealous that the other one has done more sleeping. It’s amazing how we can both wake up in the morning convinced we were the one “up all night with the baby.”

During one particularly heinous crying bout, I laid my daughter in her crib and went to take a break in the kitchen. Now this may sound cruel to you, but believe me, I was doing her and me a favor. One of the best things I’ve learned as a mom is that it’s OK to walk away for a moment. When I feel like I’m going crazy or getting too upset by the crying, I put her in a safe place and allow myself a few minutes to just breathe.

In these moments, I always wonder what other mothers do. Am I just short-fused and impatient? Are other mothers better at dealing with crying babies and late nights? Or do other moms also feel like they’re at their wit’s end?

Now I don’t want anyone to think I’m one snap away from being on the evening news, but I admit I do get frazzled easily by long crying jags that keep me up all night. And the crying seems to affect me – mentally and physically – more than it does my husband.

What do you do when your children are having late-night crying fits? Any advice for moms who feel overwhelmed in these moments?

Erin Stewart is a regular blogger for Deseret News. From stretch marks to the latest news for moms, Stewart discusses it all while her 4-year-old daughter crams Mr. Potato Head pieces in her little sister’s nose.