What Kind of Mom Are You?

My great-grandmother, Janet Matilda Johnson Ott, was legendary in her abilities in midwifery and taking care of the sick. She spent countless nights away from her large family and bishop/husband delivering babies and helping others.

I, on the other hand, am not a good "middle-of-the-night mother." I cannot bear being awakened in the night. In fact, I have a personality change if awakened suddenly in the night. Think grizzly and hibernation. It's that bad. And I'm not really conscious, so it's difficult to control. So bad that Micah often seeks Heidi's comfort in the night for nightmares because she's nice. Like her dad.

Last night, Baby A had more digestive issues. 2 am he woke up screaming and filthy. Brad, of course, is still recovering from surgery, so I couldn't burden him in his drug-induced stupor, because, really, what could he do? So I handled the situation alone--stripped the bed, bathed the child, hoped he didn't wake anyone else up (Hyrum was half-awake, but not fully conscious). And I did not do well, I might add. How can I become more Christlike and long-suffering in the middle of the night? I can't even find it within myself to be polite, let alone kind and nice.

After helping him for fifteen minutes, I crawled back in bed, and wouldn't you know it, I couldn't get back to sleep. I've been fighting Ben's same cold for three weeks, and I can't seem to kick it. Came back with a vengeance last night. As I lay there, coughing up my left lung and feeling so sorry for myself that I was missing valuable sleep, I came to a conclusion. I need to change this flaw. I have many young children left at home, so I'm going to be up in the night for many years to come. It helps no one and it hurts feelings. I want to channel my inner Grandma Ott. How do I find it? How do you handle midnight trials?