SLEEPING HABITS

Oftentimes, the child real problem is sleep deprivation. They have two personalities: one that’s well rested and one that’s not. Any parent knows that a too-tired toddler will be cranky, whiny, and more tantrum-prone. A school-age child may act grouchy, moody, and withdrawn to the point where he doesn’t want to play with friends or stops showing interest in his usual hobbies. Not getting enough sleep can also make a child distracted, easily frustrated, and, in some cases hyperactive. Fatigue makes some adults and children more active, more intense. In kids, this behavior sometimes gets treated with drugs when trying to help them stay rested would be better first step. You may find your child’s behavior changes if she sleeps better for several days. If not, then it’s time for a visit to your doctor who can recommend the next step. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep significantly impairs children’s progress in school. In terms of its emotional effect, fatigue ratchets up the frustration level quite quickly. If a sixth grader is doing her homework at 10 o’clock at night, she’s more susceptible to getting upset if something stumps her and less likely to hang in there and do a good job. Just as parents too have less patience to help with schoolwork as the night wears on. You have to get kids started on their homework earlier, and get them used to regular nighttime with a wind-down period of 1 or 2 quiet activities. But if you get stuck in one of those late-nights meltdown, suggest that your child go to bed, and offer to get her up early enough in the morning to finish. You can teach children something critical by pointing out the link between their behavior and sleep. Maybe you tell them, “I’m sending you to your room because you’re misbehaving, and I think a lot of it because you’re tired. Get some some rest, and you’ll feel better. When your kid doesn’t like to go to bed, then give the child no options when it comes to bedtime. No TV, no reading, no video games, no sitting on the couch with Mom and Dad until he feels tired. Make him stay in the bedroom with the lights out. But if the child needs comfort, stay in their room and sit beside the child’s bed until she falls asleep, then progressively move the chair farther across the room each until she is used to sleeping alone. On the other hand parents need to be rested to be effective and compassionate with their children.