I Blame My Dad

Sandy Rettschlag

3 years ago

studying When I was in school my family exercised horrible sleeping patterns and habits. My dad was a salesman and because he came home late we would eat after 7:30 p.m. when his mail had to be sent out. This created the schedule for things such as homework being done after dinner going later into the night. I don’t remember being motivated very often to start homework right after school. Why ruin that wonderful free time?

So, after eating late, and cleaning up, then it was time to start whatever needed to be done. My dad would fall asleep in his recliner after his long day of selling, getting his mail ready, eating, and the need to wind down. Around ten p.m. he would wake up and round up my mom to go to his office in the basement to do the required bookwork that he needed to have done by the next day. So, of course, this was when I, I don’t know if my siblings followed this schedule or not, but I would start my homework at 10:00 p.m. Wow, that makes me tired typing this just thinking of this schedule. I have never found a textbook stating this schedule for good studying habits.

So, on the other hand, my husband lived on a farm. There he would get up early, and go to bed early. This was certainly contrary to how I was raised.

Now, as a married couple, combining these schedules has caused some conflict. I love to stay up late. I like snoozing on the couch supposedly watching a movie. I am famous for watching movies with my eyes closed! I also like to read after I go to bed. My husband likes to go to bed rather early, like 9:00 p.m. When he was working he actually went to bed by 8:30 p.m. as he got up at 4:30 a.m. I on the other hand had to be at work by 8:30 a.m. and this was absolutely early enough for me. But, to see me at work until 6:00 p.m. or later was not too uncommon. Unfortunately, people who are early always seem to get credit whereas staying late does not offer many kudos.

Where I stand now? I would say I’m moving towards a more normal schedule as I am retired. I still like to stay up late, but find that if I go to bed around ll:00 p.m. I satisfy both needs. I also like to get up around 8:00 a.m. Being retired it is so easy, especially in the winter months, to just roll over and take another hour snoozing. Now, a good way to correct this is to own a dog. See they are on their own schedule and it doesn’t seem to coincide with ours.

So, our cure, create yet another situation and get another puppy. We’ll see how that works out.