How much sleep are you getting?

I am posting this because it is something that has made a serious impact on my life. I am sure all of you photographers and business owners are familiar with being up at all hours of the night and getting viturally no sleep during the busy times. I have to say that was so me. Staying up until 3 or 4 in the morning and then having to be up by 8 to get my daughter off to school on time. There were so many days when I didn't get up until 8:30 and then having 15 minutes to have my daughter up, dressed, hair done, breakfast and all of the other run around to get her there on time. I admit I was a horrible mother and had her late many days, eating a granola bar in the car on the way to school. Not to mention, I was always tired. I couldn't make it through the day without taking a nap and I was so grouchy with my girls and husband. My body always hurt and I had zero energy. Then on top of all of that I would spend the whole next day trying to make up for all of the time I wasted during the wee hours of the morning, and getting mad at my kids for bothering me when "I had so much to get done" It was having such a negative impact on my whole family. Sound familiar anyone?

After one particularly bad day, of getting my daugther to school late, she missed her show and tell and was so upset. I was upset with her for crying which made her even more upset and that is no way to send a kid off to school. That was when I decided to make a change. I have been going to bed at 12:30 and no later. I get up every morning feeling refreshed at 7:30 (I know that is still not super early, but I have never been a morning person.) We now have time to eat breakfast together and get both of the kids ready and make it to school on time. I cannot tell you the difference it has made in my life. I am more productive and if I have something to do I have to have it done by 12:30. Even if that means I have to work for some time during the day while my kids are playing, my time is spent so much more wisely and productively. And I am not onry with my kids, and understand that they just want attention and mommy. So if this sounds like you, just try it for a week. Go to bed at a specific (early) time every night and I promise it will make a 150% difference in your life. Now that I have beared my heart and soul to you, leave me some comments and let me know what is going on in your life. And now for a picture....