Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: Some nights I get home from work after my kids bedtime? How do I find time with them and meet my work needs?

A: Each situation is different. I encourage you to set your child's sleep as a high priority at your home. It will make everyone happier to be well-slept. It is also important for school performance, behavior, good daytime sleep, brain development, and more.

Now, finding time for you and your child on the days you don't make it home. Ideas: spend some special time in the morning if that works out, go home for your lunch break if possible, try using Skype to talk and see each other over the computer or just use a phone, leave them sweet notes or pictures in their lunchbox/with their dinner/with their toothbrush... , ask them to write or dictate a note to you telling about their day, lay out their pjs and a special story or right them a little bedtime story to have read to them, tell them that you will come in and cuddle with them when you get home (and do it- you will both appreciate the physical touch- even if they are asleep- don't wake them), set aside a large chunk of time when you can to really connect with them.