Aussie mum’s genius idea for sleep-deprived parents is here and we want it NOW

A weary Adelaide mum-of-two has realised just how impossible it is to catch up on zzz’s at home, and has done something about it that will change many parents’ lives for the better.

Like many mums of babies and toddlers, Karissa can’t remember the last time she woke up feeling like she’d had enough sleep.

Between her four-year-old daughter, Isla, and 20-month-old son, Kobe, the Adelaide mum is suffering through debilitating long term sleep deprivation. 

“Kobe is a very normal child, but in society’s terms, he’s an ‘awful’ sleeper,” the 34-year-old tells Kidspot. 

“When I hit the pillow at 10.30 after doing all the domestic duties after the kids go to bed at 8, and I fall asleep straight away, that’s when he’ll wake up crying and no matter what we try, he won’t be settled by Daddy.”

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Karissa was tired of not being able to have space in her home for a nap so she's invented an app for it. Photo: Supplied to Kidspot

"It was unbelievably difficult"

Soon enough, 6am rolls around and both kids are ready to start the day, while Karissa has barely managed a couple of hours of solid shut-eye. Sometimes, she would even be awake the entire night.

In June this year, when Karissa had reached her absolute limit of sleep deprivation, she and her husband (who is an equally hands-on dad) agreed that he would take the kids out for the morning each Sunday so that she could get some much needed rest. 

While the first week went to plan, the ones after proved far more challenging. 

“It was unbelievably difficult,” Karissa says. 

“On the second week, he asked me, ‘Oh is that every week?’ I lost my mind! We had a big fight and it was the lowest point in our marriage.”

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The sleep-deprived mum decided to take matters into her own hands when she failed to get any shut-eye at home. Photos: Supplied to Kidspot

"I begged a motel for a room for two hours"

The next six weeks proved impossible for Karissa to get the quiet break she was promised due to sickness in the family and COVID isolations. 

At her wit’s end, the ingenious mum decided to take matters into her own hands and find accommodation that would rent her a bed for just a few hours. 

“I called a motel and begged them for a room for two hours and they actually said yes.” 

Karissa swiftly booked the room for four hours for $95.

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Bookings start from as low as $33 and can only be for one guest. Photos: Supplied to Kidspot

"I'm not alone"

Now that she had experienced it, Karissa was certain that her idea for a parents’ sleep hotel, which she had first thought of years earlier, would be just as welcomed by others struggling like she was. 

“I’m not alone,” she says. 

“There are so many parents and tired human beings who actually want and need the same thing.” 

Now, the mum-of-two, who has a background in media and communications, is already seeing her dream come to life. 

MyRnR, an online booking platform allowing individuals to book a room by the hour, to take a rest or nap, was launched this week. 

While she’s initially offering the service to mums with 0 to 5 year olds, Karissa’s plan is for everyone to reap the benefits from this concept. 

“I won’t discriminate against anybody.” 

Bookings - which start from as little as $33 - can only be for one guest (yes, this isn’t a love-hotel portal, peeps), with hosts setting their own hours.

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“There are so many parents and tired human beings who actually want and need the same thing.” Photos: Supplied to Kidspot

"My first host is a mum-of-two"

“It’s like AirBnB but hourly,” the first-time mumpreneur explains.

“My first host is a mum-of-two who really gets it. The owners of these properties aren’t just about making money. They are invested emotionally as they’ve been there as a mum themselves, or who work in mental health.”

Karissa’s lack of quality sleep has affected her life and mental health so much that she has long been a passionate advocate in helping other mums through the same difficulties - and has even written a book, titled You Must Be So Tired. 

Working on this business, she says, has helped tremendously in managing her own struggles with sleep deprivation even when there’s no rest to be had. 

“I’ve had shocking nights’ sleep lately and I would usually wake up anxious, angry and depressed that it was going to happen again, but instead of feeling stuck, I feel that it’s okay because if I didn’t experience this, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.”

"I hope to create a private chatroom for mums who can’t sleep"

To bring her idea to fruition, Karissa has spent just over $3,500, and is currently crowd-funding for an extra $6000 through a Pozible campaign to take it even further and create an app. 

“I hope to create a private chatroom for mums who can’t sleep, and connect users with providers for perinatal counselling and meal delivery services.” 

While Karissa is thankfully able to have a regular Saturday sleep-in at home these days, it’s reassuring to know there is an easy option just a phone call away.

“It’s about having a back up,” she smiles. 

“If the kids are sick or the weather is bad, I know where I can go.”

This article was originally published in November 2022 and was updated in May 2023. 

Originally published as Aussie mum’s genius idea for sleep-deprived parents is here and we want it NOW