Moms Talk: The Importance of Bedtime

Editor's Note:  Welcome to Mom's Talk! Every Wednesday afternoon we devote the afternoon to producing conversations among local moms via the Internet and Patch.

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When my kids were younger, bedtimes were easily enforced. My daughter, never a good sleeper, never wanted to go to sleep. It was a battle every night for a while. But a routine of reading together at bedtime (with me reading to her and my husband reading to my son) every night always made going to bed easier on everyone.

Now that my kids are older and are busy with homework, practicing music, and evening activities, it is harder and harder to get them in bed. And with the cruel start of high school at 7:17 a.m. and early morning music rehearsals for my middle schooler, sleep deprivation is a concern.

Here are some questions for moms to check and see if their kids are getting enough sleep.

• Does your child fall asleep in school or in the car almost every time you drive with them?
• Do you have to wake your child up almost every morning?
• Does your child seem overtired, cranky, irritable, aggressive, over-emotional, hyperactive, or have trouble thinking during the day?
• On some nights, does your child “crash” much earlier than their usual bedtime?

With today's demands on a child's day, how do you local moms ensure that kids get the sleep they need?