Sleep.
It is difficult to do without it.
And as moms we often get our first real taste of sleep deprivation as our tiny infant wakes frequently through the night.
There are many schools of thought on sleep for infants and young children. Most stem from even deeper seated parenting philosophies. And I don’t want to debate the finer points of sleep training, attachment parenting, or baby wise parenting etc.
The bottom line is all kids need sleep. Below is a graphic from the National Sleep Foundation.
Sleep is connected to our mood, our overall health (adults who habitually get less than 5-6 hours of sleep a night are more likely to be overweight and have a higher risk of developing diabetes), and even our life expectancy. Beyond this teenagers without regular sleep schedules and who are habitually sleep deprived have an increased risk for depression, for suicidal thoughts, and increased risk of substance abuse.
So how do we as moms encourage adequate sleep?
- Set a firm bedtime for kids of all ages. As habitually as possible get in bed at the same time each night. This firm bedtime needs to be early enough so that adults and children can get the appropriate amount of sleep. In fact some studies suggest children whose parents set an earlier bedtime report feeling more loved by their parents.
- Encourage a routine for getting ready to sleep. This routine can begin as a baby with baths, books, singing, and rocking. Adults and older children alike can benefit from a nightly routine. One thing that should not be in your nightly routine is time spent in front of a screen especially a tablet or laptop. The bright lights from these devices can mess up your body’s natural release of melatonin (a key to getting to sleep). So turn off your electrical devices and read a real book instead before trying to sleep.
- For parents of young children naps are super important. According to a study toddlers between 2.5 and 3 years old who miss only a single daily nap show more anxiety, less joy and interest, and a poorer understanding of how to solve problems. From my personal experience these children often also struggle to sleep at night as well.
- Consider your schedule. If you are routinely struggling to get enough sleep because of some activity perhaps it is time to re-evaluate your schedule. Consider saying no or dropping one activity in order to protect your sleep.
MOMS don’t feel bad if you are trying to make sleep important and your kids still don’t sleep. Just stay the course, talk with your doctor if you are concerned, and encourage healthy sleep habits in your kids.
Do you get enough sleep? How do you make sure you get enough?
Angela Mackey is a stumbling wife and mother who longs to make much of her Savior. She encourages others to rethink their thinking in light of God’s Word so they may live transformed lives.
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