Australian Olympic swimming champion Emily Seebohm has made a heartfelt plea for assistance, confessing she is nearing a mental breakdown due to the intense pressures of parenting. The mother of one turned to social media, posting a TikTok video where she asked other mothers for advice after struggling to get her two-year-old son, Sampson, to sleep through the night.
Background and Personal Life
Seebohm shares her son Sampson with her former partner, Ryan Gallagher, who gained fame as a contestant on season five of the reality TV series Married At First Sight. The couple were engaged in 2022 but confirmed their separation in November last year, following months of public speculation about their relationship status.
This is not the first time Seebohm has been transparent about the difficulties of motherhood, including the added complexities of co-parenting Sampson with Gallagher. In her recent social media posts, she highlighted a sudden change in her son's sleep patterns, which has left her feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
Sleep Struggles and Emotional Toll
In the TikTok video, Seebohm explained to her followers that Sampson has recently started refusing his daytime naps and even protests going to bed at night. The four-time Olympic swimmer added that her son will only fall asleep if she is lying with him, and sometimes he does not settle until after 9pm.
"I have never had problems with Sampson's sleep," Seebohm said. "He had always been a great sleeper. But recently he has decided to not be a great sleeper."
At the end of the clip, she expressed her desperation, stating, "I'm just really struggling and I'm literally going to have mental breakdowns. I need some me time and he needs to sleep."
Community Response and Suggestions
The video sparked a wave of support and advice from other mothers in the online community. One commenter suggested that Sampson's sleep issues might be linked to splitting time between two homes, noting, "I don't want to get into your personal stuff, but it could be related to going back and forth? Having different expectations at mummy's place & daddy's place? Maybe he just misses you and doesn't want to sleep without you?"
Seebohm responded to this comment, explaining that while she does not co-sleep with her son, she believes his father does. "But hard to get on the same page so I just have to focus on here," she added, highlighting the challenges of maintaining consistency in co-parenting arrangements.
Other mothers reassured her that sleep disruptions are a normal part of a child's development at this age and encouraged her to maintain a consistent bedtime routine to help Sampson settle more easily.
Follow-Up and Moving Forward
In a subsequent TikTok post, Seebohm shared a follow-up video showing her son's reaction to seeing his new 'big boy bed' for the first time. This update suggests she is taking proactive steps to address the sleep issues, potentially as part of a broader strategy to improve the situation for both herself and her child.
Seebohm's openness about her mental health and parenting struggles has resonated with many, shedding light on the often-hidden challenges faced by parents, even those in the public eye. Her story underscores the importance of seeking support and maintaining open conversations about mental well-being in the context of family life.
