Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: Are bedtimes with my 9 year old still important? Don't they know when they are ready to go to sleep?

A: I taught fifth grade for many years. During my time teaching, numerous parents had decided that by fifth grade their child was ready to be responsible for himself. And time and time again they weren't. Our kids need us to guide them and make the decisions for them that they are not mature enough to make. This includes when to go to bed.

Please take the time to explain why they need 10-11 hours of sleep enough. Make it a math problem and have them figure out when there bedtime is, but enforce it. It is important.

Saturday Sleep Tip

Designate a homework time that is not right before bedtime- be consistent in this time. Leave kids with some wind down time before you tuck them in at an appropriate bedtime (so that they receive 10-11 hours of sleep).

Please feel free to share your ideal homework time.

Sleep Ponderings from Me

Stalling... does anyone else have a child working towards an Emmy in bedtime stalling? "I'm hungry." "I'm thirsty." "I need to go to the bathroom." Again? "Um, mom I need to tell you, um, something...{pause}...." "Oh, we forgot to..."

My kids are usually pretty good, but they do go through weeks where they work really hard at delaying bedtime, testing and retesting what they can get away with- does that battle ever end? Just when you think things are easy- they have to check again what rules apply. The need to be consistent is SO great.

I try to take care of any and all of the inevitable pleas before they become pleas. We brush teeth, go potty, have a drink before we do the final tuck in. And when all the kids are down- ahhhh, quiet, sweet freedom for a few short hours. And then, there are the nights where just when you are sighing one of the kids opens the door, "Mom...." Darn it! Back on duty... take care of the need, and hopefully you are off the clock. But, I love it. I love my babies and taking care of their needs.

Question for You

How do you balance school, extra activities, homework, and bedtimes?

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.