I suppose it could be worse. We could live in Whitehorse YK, where there is perpetual sunlight 24 hours a day right now. Where mothers would hear my weepy cries about the horrors of 17 hours of daylight during the summer solstice and laugh at my weakness.

But we are here, in Alberta. And for some reason, at 12:15am, my 4-year olds are just settling down. I am at a loss.

We woke up at 8am and played hard in the +24 sunshine all day long. We ate a full dinner, and they were both passed out cold before 7:30pm. Then they woke up screaming and disoriented at 8:30pm, and it’s been hell ever since.

I let them watch a movie quietly. I read a story, gave them warm milk, tucked them in. I didn’t freak out when C-boo snuck out to the garage where Leith and I were talking. And then, we came inside to find Kit-Kay hysterical because she couldn’t find us. And then C-boo started melting down.

And from 10pm to now, it has been unbearable!! Screaming, yelling, kicking. Asking Leith to sleep downstairs because they both want to sleep with me, and he has to be up at 3am, and I. Just. Want. To. Sleep.

Getting screamed at for singing the wrong song. Getting screamed at for not singing it again. Getting screamed at for leaving my room for the solitude of the bugz’ room. Having one, then both follow me in there. Leaving the room, locking the baby gate behind me. Having them scream at the gate. Having them wriggle under the gate by loosening the pads. Having to drag them back to bed screaming, and “ground” them from my room.

I know they’re overtired. I know this. But what’s a girl gotta do to get some sleep around here?? I was in the sun all day too!! I ran 10k on top of that! I’m tired!!

We’ve taken out naps. We get up early. We play hard in the fresh air. Hell, I’ve even spent $200 on black-out blinds from Pottery Barn Kids, just to match their room decor!!

Why can’t they just GO TO SLEEP??

And now, I’m missing out on my time with my friends tomorrow, because the deal was go to sleep at bedtime, be rewarded with a trip to Cafe O Play tomorrow!

Now I get to stick to my guns. And do you know what??

Tonight, parenting really flippin’ sucks