We have a three-year old son who is experiencing three major bedtime temper-tantrums: 1) horror at the idea of the television being shut off (“just ONE MORE show, Mommy”); 2) wanting to sleep in his parents’ bed (“I sleep HERE tonight” followed by very loud and prolonged crying); and 3) not being able to fall asleep unless one of us stays with him for a good hour, maybe more, which may or may not involve reading, singing, throwing the blankets, being petted, or doing little dances until he tires himself out. It’s a temporary problem that will eventually pass and our frustration with this day-to-day “torture” has not only nearly ruined any ability we have to interrelate in the evenings, but also led us to an in-depth Internet search on children’s sleep and in dire search of the counsel of noted authors Dr. Jenn Berman and Marc Weissbluth, M.D.
When my now adult daughter used to experience frightening night terrors, as many children are also apt to do, I wish I had then the advice and background of these two authors who are committed to raising healthy children through adequate and appropriate sleep. Weissbuth’s book is a step-by-step program for a good night’s sleep and in reading it, one really comes to understand how interrupted sleep, sleeplessness, or simply not enough sleep lends to many problems for both children AND adults. His research demonstrates that restlessness, overactivity, excitability, impulsivity, short attention span, failing to finish things, constantly fidgeting, inattentiveness, distraction, frustration, mood swings, and explosive and unpredictable behaviors can all be directly linked to one’s quality of sleep. Hmmm.
Berman’s book on giving your child a head start in the first 3 years, is a well-researched description of how we learn to sleep and how utilizing both daytime naps and nighttime sleeping are cure-alls for nearly any problem. She quotes Spivak in saying, “A child who isn’t sleeping isn’t developing properly physically, cognitively and emotionally. Once they start getting the right amount of sleep they start to thrive.” Well, I’m here to tell you that THAT applies to THIS 47-year-old, too! Doesn’t it to you? Another great piece of advice, which I strongly advocate, is reducing stimulus in the sleeping chamber – noise, light, sensations, temperature – if you take a fresh look at your normal resting place, there may be small steps you can take to make your sleep environment more sound. So whether it’s inside or outside on the lounge chair, take your naps, utilize bedtime rituals to help you self-soothe, and get some more SLEEP to Be Wholly You!
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