Reasons Why Children Sleep Late

An article in this Sunday’s issue of Manila Bulletin got my interest because it generously gave out tips to get kids sleep earlier at night. I was able to relate with the short stories told about parents who happen to have little night owl at home. I came to realize as well that I am not alone dealing with the same problem.

And I would like to share with you what for me is essential in the said article.

DEALING STARTS WITH UNDERSTANDING

There are many reasons why children sleep late. Parents who have trouble with their night owls can better deal with the late bedtime if they know the reason behind it.

1. Genetics

According to Dr. Richard Ferber, a pediatric sleep disorder expert whose name has become synonymous with sleep training, genetics may very well be involved. You have to have night owls with the early birds and both follow a natural propensity for certain times of the day.

2. Changes in Sleep Routines

Non-bed sharing babies 6 to 12 months old may start sleeping later when they go through the stage of separation anxiety.

3. Wresting control

For older toddlers, it may be a bid for independence. They are curious to find out how far they can push their parents or how much they can get their way. They could very well be testing your parental control of the situation.

4. Your Own Example

The parents’ nightly routine and nighttime practices can also greatly influence their children’s bedtime. They may not be aware of it, but parents sometimes send out encouraging signals to their kids to stay up. If the entire house remains bustling, children won’t want to miss any of the activities. And then there are parents who simply refuse to bother with bedtime struggles.

'Hope this plan 309th will work

Monday came. Even though Janssen doesn't have his class today, I still woke him up at 8am. This is a very early waking time for him because he usually sleeps late at night, 2:30am the latest. He could hardly open his eyes and just transferred from one pillow to another when he realized that there's nothing to be excited about... there is no TV to turn on.
TV is actually one of the reason's why he sleeps late at night. He waits until it signs off, literally, until there's nothing there to watch. And sometimes he even enjoys watching the dotted, gray image flashed after the national anthem. For sometime, we tried to be in control. Since I work in a mid-shift schedule, I turn-off the TV once I get home from work. But this doesn't work, especially when it's around midnight and everybody is asleep. He screams at the top of his lungs and will not stop unless we turn back on the TV. For a time, we put it out and covered it with a plywood. He recognized what was being covered and there after, our desire to keep him away from it resulted to no avail.
Today, my husband and I completely eliminated the TV, put it away form his sight. Before I went to work, I made certain that he was asleep and I wish that he will be awake around 4 in the afternoon so that by 9 or 10pm he'll be asleep. 'Hope this plan 309th will work.

"Oh Heaven Bless Them!"

Janssen Dale, my 3-year old son, was left in school today for 2 1/2 hours for the first time. Kids Camp teachers assured me of my son's safety, however, I couldn't imagine how they will be able to "man" my super-hyperactive son for that long. I kept on telling Manong Jess to text me immediately in case they would need my help in managing my child's tantrums and mischievousness. "Oh my God!" I couldn't believe this time would come. That I have to leave my child in a place which I barely knew of and with people whom I just met 3 days ago.
By the time the clock striked 12, I was there at the gate waiting for Janssen. Ready to hug him and inspect for bruises or any sign of maltreatment. When the kids started to go out, I was so excited. I was looking at how kids appeared after dealing with a little monster inside the room. I was so pleased when they headed with a smile and I have not heard any complain about their new classmate. "Oh heaven bless them!"
Soon after, the teacher saw me and Janssen's name was called. "Oh my son looked great!" It seemed that he enjoyed the class today. But it's the teacher's smile that was so noticeable when she finally said "Mommy, classes will resume on Tuesday. There will be no classes on Monday." --thanks to the President's SONA.