Sleep deprivation has been associated with traffic accidents, learning difficulties and, most recently, obesity. There's little doubt that kids—and parents—need to get a good night's rest in order to function well.
How can you tell if your child is sleep-deprived? According to the University of Michigan Health Systems, the following may be indications that your son or daughter needs more rest.
- Your child frequently falls asleep in the car.
- You have to awaken your child most mornings.
- Your child is cranky, aggressive, over-emotional, or hyperactive.
- Your child often "crashes" before his usual bedtime.
The recommendation is that school-age children get 9 to 12 hours of sleep a night. Kids require extra sleep during growth spurts—and everyone needs extra rest during times of stress and illness.
For valuable tips about handling child and adult sleep issues, go to
University of Michigan Health Services and National Sleep Foundation.
When we polled parents on "Is Bedtime a Nightmare in Your Household?" over 25% of the parents said their kids didn't get enough sleep and over 25% said that they didn't either. The HighlightsParents.com poll offers parents' suggestions for handling bedtime.