Energy-Boosting Tips for Tired Parents

As a freelance writer and a mom to an insomniac toddler, I know the meaning of true sleep deprivation. Like many working mothers and parents with young children, I have more than once stayed up until 4 a.m. working, only to find that my daughter wakes up at 5. Nevertheless, I manage to keep my energy level fairly even on most days. Here are a few of my secrets for staying alert during a hard day of childcare.

1. Use caffeine carefully. If you start every morning with a cup of coffee or a Red Bull, you're likely to hit the vicious and unhealthy cycle of caffeine addiction. A hard-core caffeine kick can give you a fast morning jolt, but it will also make you anxious and contribute to exhaustion as the day wears on. A better option? Sip green tea throughout the day. In general, its caffeine level is moderate enough to give you a steady all-day lift without the comparatively harsh side effects of coffee.

2. Nap when you can. Your six-year-old fell asleep on the couch after school. Your newborn is snoozing in his swing. Your ten-year-old is doing her homework. Time to catch up on house work, right? Wrong. Use any opportunity you can to get a little shut-eye. At the very least, make a point of reclining and zoning out for a few minutes. You'll feel better when you do.

3. Get moving. Too tired to work out? Great-- that's the best reason to exercise! When you take a walk, weed your garden or simply choose to park at the far end of the lot, you're giving yourself an opportunity to wake up your body and improve your circulation. It may seem hard to find an opportunity to exercise if you have children, but there are plenty of ways to involve your kids in exercise. My favorite fun work-out is to put on a C.D. and dance for half an hour with my toddler. It's fun for everyone and it wakes me up.

4. Don't overbook yourself. It's good to be involved in your career, your community, and your children's lives, but you need to leave enough time in your schedule to slow down every now and then. Go ahead and skip that bake sale that your neighbor invited you to attend-- have lunch with a friend or take your kids to the playground instead. If you're overly exhausted, don't work overtime-- your mental health and productivity will both suffer. Don't be afraid to declare one day a week for relaxation.

5. Get help when you need it. As much as I try to maintain my Supermom facade, there are times when I have to admit that I can't do it all on my own. If you're sick, tired, worn out, and just desperately need to take a one-hour nap, call a neighbor, friend or relative and try to get help. If a visitor comes to your house, don't be too shy to ask them to keep an eye on your kid while you do some dishes or take a shower. Be sure to return the favor some time!