Sleep Ponderings from Me: How I Deal with the Light Nights

I have been sick this past week, so last night I was laying in bed while my husband put our kids down. I heard my three-year old son telling him, "It's not bedtime. It's still light outside. Why do I have to go to bed in the day?"My husband proceeded to tell him that even though it it light out it is still night time and bedtime, kissed him, and told him goodnight.

At our house, we don't use the light to determine our childrens' bedtime; we use their amount of needed sleep. Our kids need to go to bed at 7pm (give or take a few) to be well-rested and thus well-tempered the next day. Both my husband and I can tell a significant difference in their behavior if their needed sleep is compromised, so we make it a point to do this as infrequently as possible... even when they protest, even when it is still light out; even when they protest about it being light out. You can see it in the way my husband handled my son's "light outside" question.

Some tips for keeping their bedtime appropriate as the days get longer:
-continue with your sleep schedule and bedtime routine
-make sure their bedroom is dark- darkness cues sleep
-use a sound spa to drown out outside noises that may provoke curiosity and wandering
-stick to the plan- don't waiver by your child's protests- it is good and ok to set boundaries and say no
-pay attention to the clock- make sure that you eat dinner at the same time and not let the continued light push evening events back and thus push bedtime back

Product Review: Summer PJs

Cuddling up in some cozy pajamas has to be one of the best ways to end a busy day of playing in the sun, splashing in the waves at the beach, digging in the sand, fishing at the lake, or whatever your summer activities entail.

Mini Boden is offering a great selection of summer PJs for girls and boys. They have a variety of styles: shorts, pants, big-airy legs, nightgowns. Their pajamas are soft and comfy. They come in a variety of adorable styles and prints: appliqued butterflies, polka dots, and pretty flowers for the girls, and bold stripes with simple logos for the boys . My five-year old daughter loves the Boden pajamas; she will wear them night after night if I let her!

Beyond aesthetics, they wash well- how many times have you had a pair of cheap pajamas shrink, or the fabric get all bally, or when they shrink just around the wrists. Boden pajamas wash well. Their snug fit conforms to CFR guidelines. They really are a good value- many times I find that spending a bit more gets me a product that lasts. As your kids transition out of their footed pajamas and into their summer alternative take a look at Mini Boden.

Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: What is the best way to keep your kids sleep on schedule when traveling?

A: When you travel it is best to plan ahead if you want your kids to get the sleep they need (which will also mean avoiding cranky kids).

Some things to consider as you plan for your summer vacation:

-The all out indulgence is to bring a babysitter. Kids can get the naps and early bedtimes they need, and you and your husband can do all the things you want to do on the vacation. Still spend plenty of time with the kids- use the babysitters as extra hands or let them have some free time.

-Keep the same schedule you follow at home: make dinner reservations early, so you can get back and get the kids ready and into bed.

-Get a suite or adjoining hotel room. This way you can stay up and watch a movie while your kids sleep.

-Don't skip naps. If you have a baby with an early nap and you have plans try to create an adequate sleep environment in a pack n play at the location (pool, beach, someone else's house) or try using a stroller with a bassinet. In either situation, make sure the baby has a lovie if they usually have one, a paci if they usually have one, are swaddled if that is the usual, have a fairly dark environment, have adequate airflow, have a sound spa (don't forget the batteries!). Try to be back at the hotel for afternoon naps- maybe you and your husband can switch days staying with the kids while the other gets to do soemthing fun.

-Don't forget about your bedtime sleep routine. Some nights will just be later and busyer, but if you can try to still do bath, book, pjs, bed, or whatever your normal sleep routine happens to be.

-If you are changing time zones, immediately change to the new time. Your kids will be tired from travel, so just run your normal schedule off of the new cities time. And do the same when you get home.

And remember it is vacation- there are exceptions, indulgences, and missed sleep. But, if you try to limit those you and your children will all have a much more enjoyable vacation.

Article Review Day 9: Sleepwalking

I'm sure everyone has heard stories of someone who sleepwalks... people eating in their sleep, walking through the house, or??? Please feel free to share a sleepwalking story.

"Sleepwalking is common, occurring in 1%- 15% of children, and usually begins when the child is between the ages of 4 and 8 years." So, what does it really mean to sleepwalk? "A sleep walking episode consists of minor actions such as sitting up in bed, walking around the room or house, or other activities... Sleepwalking can persist into late adolescence and adulthood."

What should you be wary of if you have a child who sleepwalks? Take precautions to guard doors, windows, and stairs. "The sleepwalker does not meaningfully interact with people and is often easily agitated. Arousal is difficult and, if successful, the child will appear confused. Recollection of the event is rare."

So, what should you do? Gently direct your child back to bed without waking them up. You should intervene to avoid an injury. You may want to come up with a creative solution that will inform you if your child is leaving their room, for example, a bell on the bedroom door, or? Please share anything you have found to be helpful.

Sleep Ponderings from Me: Summertime Travels and Sleep

As I think about traveling this summer and all the joys and miseries of travel with young children, I am reminded of a recent experience that I think could easily transfer to better sleep in small confined space during travels this summer.

Recently, due to finances my family had to rent out our house and move in with my parents for 7 months. We just moved back and our happy to be in our own space and thankful to my parents for extending their gracious hand...

But, while we were staying with them my three children had to share a bedroom. When we moved in they were 4, 2, and 6 months. My youngest and oldest had been sharing a room successfully since my baby was a couple months old. My two-year old son had had his own room and struggled to go to sleep in the same room as his sisters nightly. I identified this struggle as related to his crazy boy nature and his age. Eventually, we just started putting him to sleep at night in our room and then moving him when we went to bed. This was difficult since our room was really our only quiet space... but we dealt.

Towards the end of our stay, I had been reading a book called Raising Godly Tomatoes by Elizabeth Krueger. (This book is Christian based but no matter your beliefs it has many valuable lessons to teach). Anyways, she talks about having your children always obey and wait for them to do it versus solely disciplining them for not obeying and moving on. She also talks about having them practice the behaviors you want them to do. As I reflected on this thought, I was shocked I had never come up with it on my own. As a teacher, I knew the huge importance of modeling and practice. I often had my children practice different things, and I often modeled the correct way to respond to something (whether that be without an attitude or using please/thank you...). But, I had never completed the connection with following up disobedience with practice, modeling, and waiting for them to obey.

One evening, as I was getting ready to put my son to bed in my bed and the girls in the kids room, I stopped. I had stuff I needed to do- pay bills, sit in silence... I decided that we should practice having all the kids sleep in the same room right then. So, I had my son and oldest daughter get in their beds and we turned off the light and then practiced "sleeping" without messing around or talking to each other. Then, I had them get up quietly and practice leaving their room (the baby usually gets woken up by the older two in the morning). Then, we practiced this a few more times. That night my kids all went straight to sleep without a peep... and the next night... and the next...

My son was a bit older at the time I did this training than when we moved in, and they had been living in this situation for months. These could have been factors that effected the situation and outcome. But, we need to take a minute and think that sometimes we have expectations for our children to do things that that they may not completely grasp. It is amazing what a bit of practice, modeling, and clear guidance can do for our children's understanding in any situation.

This summer as you share a hotel room, or a tent, or have to sleep in the car on a long road trip... instead of just telling your children to go to sleep in the new situation and then getting frustrated with them when they don't... take the time to model for them what you expect this to look like. And then have them practice a few times to get the feel for what you are expecting. It may make a world of a difference.

*Also, try to recreate your child's sleep environment to the best of your ability: bring their lovies, read a story if that is part of your routine, bring a sound spa- they take batteries, try to make it dark (hotel rooms are great for this). Try to follow a similar routine to the one you follow at home.

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Article Review Day 8: Confusional Arousals

Confusional Arousals is a parasomnia.

Have you ever heard your child have minor episodes of mumbling or grimacing, disorientation, or inappropriate behaviors during sleep? I have not experienced these with my children, but some parents have. "Confusional arousal occurs in the first 3 hours after sleep onset when the child experiences an abrupt transition from the deepest phases of NREM sleep" to lighter sleep stages. Sometimes parents don't even know this occurs because the child stays asleep during the episode and doesn't remember the next day.

If you do notice such an episode with your child, it is good to know:

• "Most episodes are brief, averaging 2 to 10 minutes in duration, and end when the child re-enters deep sleep."
• "Predisposing factors include obstructive sleep apnea, overtiredness, sleep deprivation, and irregular wake/sleep schedules..."
• "These episodes are harmless and you should not awaken the child."
• "Confusional arousals diminish as the child matures."
• If your child also has one of the predisposing factors you need to look into altering their sleep schedule so they can get the appropriate amount of sleep.