Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: My child who still needs a nap and takes a long nap- usually until 4:30pm or so- has a very difficult time going to sleep at night so that he gets his RDA of sleep, what can I do about this?

A: You know best if your child is ready to give up the afternoon nap (usually happens between 3 and 5, maybe 6). So, if he is not I suggest moving his nap to an earlier time. My son had this same issue when he was 27 months. I moved his nap from 1:30 to 12:30 and he still took a 2- 3 hour nap, but he was able to go to bed easily at 7pm instead of talking and singing in there for hours. If you just set the new precedent that after lunch we read a book and go straight to naptime (or skip the book) it may make the timing more understandable to your child.

Saturday Sleep Tip

A house rule: NO Night Owls Allowed

Note: Kids age 5-12 need 10-11 hours of sleep a night.

In the spirit of blogging...

Just found a great blog with help to bloggers... http://www.themarthablog.com/2008/09/how-to-create-your-own-blog-let-us-show-you.html#comment-20070. check it out.

Sleep Ponderings from Me

My oldest child is only 4 1/2; she goes to school 2 days a week; goes to ballet once a week; some months has swimming lessons 2 days a week; I work out one day a week (where I bring them). We don't have that much going on, but as the three get older my days are going to be full of dropping off, picking up, dropping off, picking up, waiting- school, ballet, soccer. Then, coming home: homework, dinner, baths, reading, and who knows what else. And of course I will still have their goal of 10-11 hours of sleep a night... so an 8pm bedtime. Talk about need to be efficient. I can't even imagine taking care of all the things that would need to get taken care of if I was working full time. You can see how bedtimes easily creep to a later and later time for some families- they just do not have enough time to get everything done. So, I challenge myself and you to make your child's bedtime (amount of sleep) a #1 priority, and adjust the rest of your life accordingly. Maybe your child doesn't play every sport or isn't involved in every extracurricular activity. Maybe you pay the extra $10 to do vons.com (honestly not a plug for them), so that you can keep errands at bay. Choices will have to be made so that everyone can have the chance to give their best by being well-rested.

Question for You

What has been your biggest sleep challenge as your children have entered grade school?

Sleep "Product" Review

Check out Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions by Coldplay. This is a lullaby CD you will enjoy... it takes Coldplay songs and makes them lullabyey (made-up word). There are other artists that have similar CDs: Bob Marley, Radiohead, The Cure, Pink Floyd...

When would you use a lullaby CD? Play some nice, calming music during bathtime, while you read stories, just in the room as you go through your bedtime routine. May also increase your child's music appreciation.

http://www.amazon.com/Rockabye-Baby-Lullaby-Renditions-Coldplay/dp/B000GY72J2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1220742130&sr=8-1

Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: My kids need to go to bed earlier than they did during the summer? How do we adjust it?

A: First, know that your kids' bodies need the sleep and want the sleep. School is going to wear them out, and everything else that they have in their lives. At the end of the day you are going to have tired kids- even if their mouths protest the idea of bedtime. Second, you need to come up with a bedtime that considers the amount of sleep that they need. Children ages 5 to 12 need about 10 to 11 hours of sleep a night, so from the time they need to wake-up figure out what the appropriate bedtime needs to be. Third, consider explaining the change you are going to make if you think this is necessary. Fourth, make the change over a few days, focus on a consistent, short, and calming bedtime routine. You aren't going to rock your 10 year old, but you may want them to take a bath or shower, brush their teeth..., and then read a chapter in a book with them.

Their sleep is so important and often not given enough attention. Remember you are the parent, and it is your job to teach your child healthy sleep habits. Numerous sources link inadequate sleep to academic and behavioral problems. Our kids need their sleep.

For more sleep facts check out, http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2419303/k.27B0/The_Sleep_Of_Americas_Children.htm