The ‘tween’ years (around eight to 12) can be a time of transition for our kids. They’re coming out of the ‘childhood’ phase, but they’re not quite at the ‘teen’ stage yet – and that can be both confusing and draining.
While they want a little more independence, we don’t want to ‘baby’ them too much, and so we often wind up giving into their requests to stay up that little bit later, and spend more time playing games or hanging out with friends.
Sometimes, however, this can prove to be all too much, too fast – and it takes its toll on their bodies.
Here are five signs that your tween isn’t getting enough sleep:
1. They can’t get up in the mornings
That’s no easy task for any of us, and it’s not something that disappears with age, either! But if your child is finding it extra hard to get up in the morning for school, the chances are that they’re staying up too late at night.
Tip: Keep devices out of the bedroom – that way, they won’t be tempted to log onto Netflix after lights-out!
2. They’re falling asleep in the middle of the day
This is a crucial time in terms of their education, so the last thing you want is for your child to be falling asleep in the middle of a maths problem. If they can’t even get through the day without needing a nap, you need to regulate their night-time sleep.
Tip: Black-out blinds are a great idea for kids who have trouble sleeping, especially as the days get longer.
3. They have low concentration levels
Lack of concentration is a tell-tale sign that your little one isn’t getting enough sleep, and you need to nip this in the bud so it doesn’t have a broader impact.
Tip: Pack their meals with brain-boosting foods like fruit, veg and fish, to give them a helping hand while you’re working on their sleep routine.
4. They’re feeling irritable
Every day won’t be made of rainbows and sunshine, but if your tween is in an irritable funk for no apparent reason, you need to take action.
Tip: Talk to your tween about how they’re feeling and why they’re lashing out. This way, you might be able to come up with a sleep strategy together.
5. They’re easily confused
Is your tween forgetting basic things like the names of objects and places? This is one of the clearest signs that they need a little more rest. They should be sharp as pins at that age!
Tip: Discuss how you can change their sleep environment (e.g. bedspreads, cushions, etc.) to improve their routine.
Hang in there, mums - you CAN get through this!
