Rest as Resistance: Prioritizing Sleep for Mom and Child

In today’s fast-paced world, sleep is often the first thing we sacrifice. We push through exhaustion with caffeine, late-night scrolling, or trying to squeeze in “just one more thing” after the kids go to bed. But when we neglect sleep, both our nervous system and our children’s suffer. What feels like productivity in the moment actually robs us of the peace, patience, and resilience we desperately need the next day.

Why sleep matters for the nervous system

Sleep isn’t just “rest.” It’s active repair. During deep sleep, the brain clears away excess stress hormones and resets emotional balance. Blood sugar is stabilized, tissues are repaired, and the nervous system is given space to heal from the day’s stressors. For toddlers and children, sleep is even more crucial: it impacts their ability to self-regulate emotions, learn new skills, and grow strong bodies.

For moms, sleep is often undervalued, but the effects of chronic sleep deprivation ripple through the entire home. When you are exhausted, patience is short, anxiety rises, and your own nervous system lives in fight-or-flight mode. This tension is often mirrored in your children, who pick up on your energy. In contrast, when you are rested, you are calmer, more grounded, and better able to co-regulate your child’s emotions.

Signs your nervous system is crying out for rest:

• You feel irritable or anxious over small things

• Your toddler has frequent meltdowns or struggles to focus

• Cravings for sugar or caffeine keep climbing

• You both seem to catch every little cold

• Morning feels like an uphill battle every day

  
  

Simple ways to make rest a family value

1. Set a rhythm, not a strict schedule. Toddlers thrive on predictability. A calming evening flow—dim lights, gentle play, bedtime story—signals to their nervous system that it’s safe to let go. Moms can benefit from the same rhythms: tea instead of a late snack, journaling instead of scrolling, quiet instead of noise.

   
   

2. Model rest. Children watch how we live. If they only ever see us rushing, cleaning, or working, they’ll think rest is unimportant. When you choose to lie down, take a nap, or close your eyes for a few minutes, you show them that rest is part of a healthy life.

   
   

3. Protect your bedroom environment. Simple changes like blackout curtains, white noise, and a cool room can improve sleep for the whole family. Creating a space that feels safe and cozy signals to the body that it’s time to restore.

   
   

4. Value connection over productivity. Dishes and laundry will always be waiting, but your nervous system can’t wait forever. Choosing rest may mean leaving tasks undone—and that’s okay. A rested mom is a gift to her children.

   
   

The deeper truth

God designed rest as part of creation itself. On the seventh day, He rested—not because He was tired, but because He wanted to establish the rhythm of life for us (Genesis 2:2-3). Rest is woven into our very design. Ignoring it pushes us out of alignment with how He created our bodies and souls to flourish.

Choosing to rest, for yourself and for your children, is not weakness. It’s wisdom. It’s not selfish—it’s stewardship. When we honor rest, we honor God’s design and nurture nervous systems that are calm, steady, and resilient.

So the next time you feel guilty for choosing an early bedtime, or for letting the dishes wait until morning, remember: you are not being lazy—you are leading your family by example.

Rest is one of the greatest gifts you can give your home.

If you need some help finding ways to incorporate the rhythms of rest and productivity in your life and home, or need help finding the balance between the two, I offer one-on-one biblical health coaching to assist you in discovering God's design for healthy living and how to properly steward your health and wellness according to Scripture. Check out my program page to learn more about the different options I offer!