He woke me up...So I hit him!
@doubleloveyou (2466)
United States
August 21, 2008 2:30pm CST
Let me explain. I am a brown belt in karate (Almost Black Belt). Being so, we train to respond as reflex not thought. I have always been a heavy sleeper (not talking about my weight either). But I will wake up if I sense someone is there. When I do you need to make sure that you are far enough away.
My son, 6 years old, last year must have had a bad dream. He came into our room to let us know that he was scared. Well, my side of the bed was actually closer to him than his mom's. So naturally he comes to me. Hhe stands there in front of me. Not saying a word. I do not know how long he was there, but I do know that when I woke up he was WAY TOO CLOSE. I mean his face was less than 1 inch away from mine. Naturally waking up to that may cause you to do some things without realizing what is going on. Immediately, my body springs into a seated stance and at the same instance I throw a palm strike to his chest .
Now he does the only thing a person can do when hit like that. He goes flying backwards and onto the carpetted floor. At this point I can only imagine the dream is not what he is think about right now. I realize what happened and I run to him and pick him up. He was fine but learned a valuable lesson. DON'T PUT YOU FACE IN YOUR DAD'S FACE WHEN HE'S ASLEEP!After months of psychotherapy he is doing much better. How do you react when someone startles you awake.
7 people like this
29 responses
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
21 Aug 08
When my husband and I first got together he had just come back from a 6 months long martial arts camp. It was pretty early in the morning and we were both in the bathroom. He was standing in front of the sink and I reach across to grab my tooth brush, next thing I know I am being punch straight int he sternum and am breathless on the floor. My sternum hasn't been right since. Worse part, he was so not awake that he didn't even know what had happened, he looked down and asked why I was on the floor!
With that being said, he has never hit anyone when he was startled awake.
4 people like this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
21 Aug 08
That's the same thing my husband said LOl He said is he had hit me full force my sternum WOULD have been broken and I would have had to go to the ER for a collapsed lung.
Kids are resilient. Probably didn't hurt any less though.
4 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
21 Aug 08
No I think he was in more shock than hurt. He still loves me:)
3 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
21 Aug 08
ok, I know I didn't hit that hard. I greatly pulled back. He fell just sitting down. I checked him and he was fine. He really is more resiliant than one would seem.
3 people like this
@ayumitakashi (4462)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Wow. 
This reminded me of an episode of Reba. Where the blonde woman keeps hitting her husband during the night while she's sleeping and it doesn't matter that he moves because she keeps hitting him. I was laughing so hard. But if that had happened to me I would have probably screamed first and then pushed that person away. I saw a picture of your son and he is just the cutest thing. 
This reminded me of an episode of Reba. Where the blonde woman keeps hitting her husband during the night while she's sleeping and it doesn't matter that he moves because she keeps hitting him. I was laughing so hard. But if that had happened to me I would have probably screamed first and then pushed that person away. I saw a picture of your son and he is just the cutest thing. 4 people like this
@ayumitakashi (4462)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Oh yeah I was laughing so hard during that episode that I thought I was going to choke or die. It does sound bad but then I read what you said to other posters. But yeah It does sound funny at the same time too. Anyone would get scared to wake up and find someone staring at you so closely like that.
4 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
21 Aug 08
I LOVE THAT EPISODE!!!!
That one is my favorite episode. I know it sounds terrible to read, but really it not near as bad as it sounds. He remembers and laughs about it now. He just thinks it funny that he was able to scare me. Both my boys LOVE to scare me and the girls. (they don't do it to mom...well just because) :)
3 people like this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Hi double,
w[i]ow! That was scary! I have not tried that with my dad..lol!
Anyway, good thing that he was fine after that incident and maybe you have to consider changing your position or you will exchange your wife a side of the bed, that is 6 years old and whenever he will be scared again, there is a chance for him to get closer to you![/i]
4 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
When we moved to the new house I now sleep on the other side of the bed away from the door. It is alot safer now :) Of course he knows that he shouldn't put his face in mine when I am asleep.
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Poor baby!!! I know he didn't know what to think about when that happened. But I have an even better story to tell you. If I am talking in my sleep, please don't try to figure out what I am talking about, because it may be harmful to your health!!! Here's what happened. My children's father and I had just moved in together, and since I didn't know when it was going to happen, I hadn't told him that I talk in my sleep. This particular night I woke him up saying "no" for some reason. He lent ove me trying to figure out why I said it when all of a sudden, BAM!!! I hit him square in the nose!!! I didn't even know any of this happened until the next morning.
4 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
LOL LOL. That is terrible. I'll bet he didn't do that again. Thanks for the story.
@snowy22315 (181956)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Well not like that I dont think. I'm osrry your son woke you up but kids will be kids. It's a good thing he didnt get hurt. My brotherinlaw is a blackbelt in karate and i nver heard of anything like that happening at their house. I hope you will take some responsibility and not just blame your son. Not trying to be mean, but my concern is with your little boy.
4 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Ok before i get any negitive ratings. I did not hit him as bad as it sounds. I pulled the strike to the equivalent of a thud on his chest. When he fell, it was a sit down fall not a "Fly across the room" fall. I am no jackie Chan. lol.
Really i am GOOD FATHER. I personally would say GREAT, but I am somewhat biased.
He really is fine, no bruising no damage just a startle.
In no do I blame him for it. After all he had a bad dream. I was simply relaying that sometimes when you are between awake and asleep and you open your eyes and see something standing there that is not supposed to be there, one may react in different ways. You can look on my profile and see that Noah is doing fine (Look in my photos)
3 people like this
@calcynic (433)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I'd never even consider giving you a negative rating for being honest and showing so much concern for your boy. I was doing dishes and the sound of the running water drowned out the sound of my 3 year old daughter, who padded up right behind me. The phone rang and I turned quickly to go for it and flattened my little girl, falling right on top of her. She was freaked out of her mind after hitting her head on the kitchen floor. I was scared, panicked, mortified and so so sorry, but my emotions came out sounding like anger. She had one hell of an egg forming on the back of her head and I regained my composure on the way to the emergency ward. She was more afraid that I didn't love her than she was physically injured. The whole jumbled up mess of emotions spewing out of me were from love and concern. Negative rating?...hell if I could give you a double positive, I would...I've been there.
1 person likes this
@usagi412 (39)
• United States
21 Aug 08
if someone was was standing and staring in front of me went i wake up i don't think i'm going to palm the person. but i'll move back and kick it, it is scary when you wake up and see some one just standing there and staring at you. that will be my respond. it was good that your son didn't get hurt.
4 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Yeah it was pretty scary for the both of of that night. After I woke up I comforted him.
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I hate being startled awake! It totally freaks me out! I usually let a string of curse words fly from my mouth before I realize what is going on. My kids are so used to it now it doesn't even phase them. Luckily, my husband sleeps much lighter than I do so he usually wakes up when someone walks into the room.
2 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
See I try not to be that way. He would usually go to his mom so it was strange that one of them would wake me up. Thanks for the response.
@dementia88 (900)
• United States
22 Aug 08
haha oh no!! it is funny though. poor little guy
2 people like this
@dementia88 (900)
• United States
22 Aug 08
oh of course not funny then but now you both can look back at it and laugh i hope
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Funny now, not funny then. then it was terrifying. I think we are both over it now though. We still play all the time and rough house.
@esparra (62)
• United States
22 Aug 08
OMG!! I can only imagine what was going through your poor son's mind!! Goodness Gracious!! I don't hit people when I'm startled....I get a little upset, my heart is racing...and im a little shaken..which is probably normal...I really hate to be startled in my sleep because it takes me such a long time to calm back down!!
2 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
It was more of a hard push to get him away. then when I saw who it was I went straight to him to make sure he was ok. Welcome to Mylot.
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I feel sorry for both of you because the blow must have terrified him and you must have been terrified that you might have hurt him as his parent and as someone much larger once you realized what you'd done.
I guess it depends on how I'm awaken. Since I live alone except for my cats, usually one of them is the one who startles me if it's not the phone. I have accidentally hit one of my cats or knocked them off the bed on occasion when one of them has awaken me. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to avoid that.
2 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Yes that would be a little terrifying to both of us. He doesn't come to me anymore in the middle of the night and at the same time I moved to the other side of the bed. That helps.
@the_ruler (1442)
• Turkey
21 Aug 08
it is interesting to hear that really. If you have hit your son accidently because he was standing close to you while he was asleep, I just can't think of how dangerous it would be to sleep with you 
hehe, only joking
of course it is not good to hear a little child is hit but you don't have a fault and he doesn't too... This is just a natural sad issue because you didn't have control of yourself and he was too scared to remember it, no one to blame really.
I am really happy to hear your child loves you :-) It would be hard to make a child believe you in that kind of a situation!
happy mylotting!
hehe, only joking
of course it is not good to hear a little child is hit but you don't have a fault and he doesn't too... This is just a natural sad issue because you didn't have control of yourself and he was too scared to remember it, no one to blame really.
I am really happy to hear your child loves you :-) It would be hard to make a child believe you in that kind of a situation!
happy mylotting!4 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I believe it was a scary situation for both of us. He startled me and I startled him. Yes he does love me. He still love to hear that story because he likes to scare me. :)
@sugarplum9084 (1771)
• United States
21 Aug 08
haha that poor kid, did he cry? That must have been scary for him to experience, it's good to hear that he is doing a lot better now haha. I do not have lightning fast reactions like that in my sleep, I just sort of wake up slowly and grumble for them to leave me alone and let me sleep, it can be angry sometimes or very disoriented, though I do not do much that could hurt anyone when I am awoken, though maybe if I did people would not bother me anymore when I am trying to sleep. Happy mylotting!
4 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
21 Aug 08
No he did not cry. Just startled.
As i said in a comment above his fall was a sit down fall not a fly across the room fall.
I think I would have been ok except for the fact that he was right in my face and I could only make out a siloette of a person not any features.
Thatnks for the response.
3 people like this
@nagen27 (20)
• India
22 Aug 08
Since I am not trained in martial arts, I will never throw or kick any person. I think those who know the art of fighting need to be extra careful about their children, particularly in sleep.
If somebody wakes me up, first I will try to find the reason for that. So, I may not use my physical power to punish somebody who wakes me up!
2 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Understand I did not do it to punish him, it was just a reaction in between awake and asleep. Thanks for the response.
@lira23 (208)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Some people do hit in their sleep, and they don't realize it, you have to be careful when you wake people up.I am one of those that hit when someone tries to wake me up when I'm sleeping, it's best to pull the covers off or use an alarm clock or something. It depends on the person honestly, i think it's a natural reaction on protecting yourself.
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
My wife too calls from across the room to wake me up. As a matter of fact she says the same thing "Are you going to sleep all day?" Whether early or late that tis the phrase she uses. I am used to it know and usually respond with "YES". LOL
@sanzi1201 (644)
• China
22 Aug 08
Haha,you are strong.I guess that he won't dare to wake you up later.So,you could sleep better.Haha.I will angry and shout to he/her who wake me up.Hehe,they disturb me.
2 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Yes, he has learned, and so have I. I try to assess a situation a little more carefully now. THanks for the response.
@john3l6 (187)
• United States
25 Aug 08
Oh my ... thank God that's all he got was a push with a dad who know karate. I know you felt really bad when you were picking him up off the floor. I have been know to startle also and like you all it takes is your presence. I have PTS (post trama syndrome)from growing up in public housing. I am also in fight mode when awakened. I phyically and then verbally assault the person or perceived person to have awakened me. Thank goodness the kids all knew not to wake me and when they forgot dad intercepted them before getting to close unfortunately they did have to hear me rant until I was fully awake. :(
1 person likes this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
25 Aug 08
Yeah, it was scary then. For the both of us. Now he loves this story. I told him the other day that I started this discussion (I told him I was telling my friends about it) He laughed. :)
@auntiedis (165)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Awwww poor kiddo! I can sympathize with his surprise. The night my husband came back from his first tour to the big sandbox, we were asleep, and I rolled over to spoon with him and put my arm over him and he nailed me straight in the sternum. Talk about surprised!? We both jumped out of bed wide awake. Well I wasn't about to ask him why he did that, I figured he was thinking he was still over there. He was apologizing profusely and said "I was dreaming that I was in a bar and this guy kept hitting on me, and he just would NOT leave me alone no matter how many times I told him no. When you went to put your arm over me, in my dream, he went to grab my hand, so I hit him." Talk about shocked!!! Needless to say, I punched him right back.
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I guess that would make for a homecoming to remember. And I'm sure he was able to get used to you being there after that. thanks for the story.
@krayzietam (832)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Lol as long as your son is okay then that is all that matters. It just sucks when the child has to pay for it. I'm sure he won't do it again as a result of what happened the first time. I used to be a deep sleeper but as I got older, I somehow grew out of that. I am actually a light sleeper now. But when I was, I remember when my mom tried to wake me up one morning for school and she was shaking my foot, As a reflex, I kicked her by mistake. She was startled and so was I but she knew that I was just waking up. I laugh at that to this day from the look on her face 
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
He has learned and today he laughs at the story because he was able to scare be so bad. My 2 boys love to scare me. lol
1 person likes this
@dianocuz (115)
• United States
22 Aug 08
BULL!
As a white belt, maybe you would not lack comtrol. But as almost black, that should never happen. I would bet you are naturally aggressive and dominate. Normally, a person starts learning karate early in life. I am willing to bet that whatever prompted you to start learning at this stage, is what prompted you to hit your son. The fact that you brag about it says you need counseling!
1 person likes this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
First of all welcome to Mylot.
Now, I am fine with your remarks, but your quick judgment is not needed. I was in any way "Braggin" of this "feat of strength" Just pointing out that people react in certain ways when they are startled awake.
As far as counseling I will check with my pastor and see what he recommends. :-)
I do hope you enjoy yourself here at the Lot.
@PyroBoy89 (27)
• United States
22 Aug 08
i've also had a little training in martial arts(9yrs), so i know what you mean. my younger brothers learned very quickly not to jolt me awake in much the same manner. to this day i react solely on reflex when startled at all, which can get kinda interesting at times...
2 people like this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Yes reflexes are good at time but can be harmful at others. We need to be careful to assess the situation first. Of course when you wake up with a being an inch from your face you tend to react more than assess.
