Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: My 3 year-old doesn't seem tired until 8:30-9pm, so we wait until then to put her down. In the morning she seems extremely cranky, could she be tired?

A: Hyperactivity is a sign of being tired, so a child can act full of energy and still need to go to sleep. And some older children don't give clear sleep signs- yawning, saying they are tired, or such.

I suggest basing your child's bedtime on an age appropriate amount of sleep needed. A three-year old may or may not have an afternoon nap, and she should get around 12-14 hours of sleep a day. If she is cranky in the morning she probably needs more sleep. Be firm and set clear and consistent limits when it comes to bedtime. A short and simple bedtime routine with clear expectations is a great way to start. Explain that at night she is going to take a bath after dinner, brush teeth, put on PJs, and then she gets to listen to you read two books (be specific- so it isn't the endless"And another one.")

Be Wary: Don't let your child suck away her much needed sleep with excuses and delaying. As parents we need to protect their much needed sleep and say no when needed.