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[quote=Anonymous]NP. I want to thank all of those who shared their experiences of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by parenting as we age. It helps so much to know that we aren't alone.

I'm in my mid-50s with my last kid about to leave for college. Looking back, I have many regrets about these last ten years in terms of how much my own exhaustion and unrealistic expectations for myself interfered with my ability to be a good parent. I did my best, but I could have done so much better if I had been more proactive about addressing chronic sleep deprivation. When my kids and I were younger, sleep deprivation was largely a product of having three kids and an overly complicated life (including a demanding job). However, as I aged and approached menopause, I simply couldn't sleep, which caused me to be irritable, less effective in every area of my life, and gain significant weight.

If you are going through this, you absolutely have to prioritize a healthier life, starting with adequate sleep. Sure, some people can get by with limited sleep, but others of us can't. Make sleep a priority, and keep seeking answers from doctors if you are struggling. Don't criticize yourself or feel that it is a personal failure if you are having trouble managing everything, especially if you have two or more kids, don't WFH, and/or can't afford help. Good luck.[/quote]

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