Interesting article on kid sleep

[beetiger]

Not that it's news that kids need sleep, but here's an interesting article on the topic.

We're not really that great about this in our house. Neither of the adults here are really very good sleepers, and although we're moderately firm about bedtime (8 pm), we haven't really shifted it earlier to go with this fall's earlier speech therapy schedule, and we also do make quite a few exceptions.

I'm afraid that in the depth of my heart, I guess I believe that having adventures is more important than sleep. And my son doesn't really have meltdowns - he's a very cheerful stay-up-too-late boy. We stayed at a wedding until after 9:00 last night, and then he stayed up for most of the drive back home, without really anything resembling fussing.

Defintely one of those aspects of life in which I'm a crappy model.

Comments

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

We're all pretty bad. Melatonin helps.

[catya.livejournal.com]

Mostly I notice this because my kid is a beast to get up in the morning (so is his dad). So I've been trying for an earlier lights out time....

[paka.livejournal.com]

I think that's fine. Small boys only get to be children for a few years before the world tries to make them tough and responsible and successful and manly, someone's ideal soldier or worker or husband or consumer. Conversely, the quickest way to make kids happy is to offer them happiness, isn't it?

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

The part where it says that sleep-deprived people remember gloomy memories more than good ones was... wow.

[koogrr.livejournal.com]

Oh that's my problem.

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

They did a 'Here and Now' NPR broadcast a week or so ago that looked at this study. I was especially interested in the part where they said that even high school-age students need 9+ hours of sleep...has any American teen since, oh, 1952 gotten that?

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

The article didn't mention naps, and I suppose they aren't feasible for most teens and tweens trying to juggle school, after-school activities, homework, and family time. But they might be a good option for a 4-year-old.

[beetiger.livejournal.com]

Don't I wish. :P

"but Mommy, it's DAYTIME!"

[allessindra.livejournal.com]

If you're keeping the kid awake, *and* having to drag them out of bed, yes I can see thinking they're not getting enough sleep by this metric.

If you have problems getting them down cause they're not tired, and they're still getting up ahead of you (or when you have set to get them up), then they're getting as much sleep as their body needs, and forcing more will only be choosing a battle that is meaningless.

one couple's wisdom
who had one child who fought sleep wtih all her might till somewhere in the 2.5 year range, when she randomly started going to bed on her own, who is CLEARLY a night person by circadian, and when left to herself -- from day one -- woudl get average 8 hours of sleep, and NOT be tired... (but would NEVER nap, from 3 weeks old...)

and another child who happily cheerfully and self-startingly gets up around 7am. Constantly. Easily. It's only if he stays up till 2am or so (which he also does, sometimes, easily and happily) does he sleep later. OH, maybe... 9.