summer | Sleepytime

Are you a parent of a child at school or do you have a child attending childcare? Have you noticed a change in their demeanour recently?

My daughter started Kindergarten this year. She loves school but I have noticed a change recently. Miss E has started to complain of a tummy ache in the morning. Now these tummy aches do not seem to appear on non-school days, just school days. When I try to leave her classroom, she clings onto my leg and simply will not let go until her teacher peels her off me. At drop off today, I mentioned it to a few mums and their kiddies seem to be feeling the same way. Is it simply a tummy bug doing the rounds? Perhaps.

At the primary school I teach at, I have noticed there have been increases of arguing and nastiness amongst the children. I work at a school where the children are genuinely loving and caring towards their peers, so this behaviour has really caught my attention. This got me thinking, is there such a thing as “the end of year grump?”

With the days getting warmer, children become worn out faster. Add on the ever-increasing pressure of end of year parties and gatherings; nights during the week are becoming full with social engagements and weekends are fully packed. This all adds to children becoming tired and grumpy.

The last thing to add is that these children have been spending a lot of time in situations where they have to concentrate for long periods of time, negotiate the use of shared equipment plus navigate their way through social circles. Quite frankly, they have had enough and they need a break.

So as the end of year approaches like the speed of light, take stock and be extra gentle with your precious ones. If they need a day at home in front of the telly, then go with it. If they need a mummy day, offer it. If they require a swim at the beach, enjoy!!

You may be experiencing “the end of year grump” too. Take my advice and indulge in a “me day”. Go on, you deserve it!

Sleep Well, Janelle Jeffery

Child Sleep Consultant for Sleepytime

Summer is fast approaching so before we know it we will have our aircons on full blast and sweat dripping down our faces, legs other??? Ewww. Summer also means a very full social calendar and longer days filled with endless daylight. Have you already noticed a change in your child’s sleep? I sure have!

So this got my brain ticking and my fingers typing. Here are my 5 hot tips for summer sleep success.

#1 Consistent and Predictable Routines and Schedules

It is so important that you approach bedtime they same as you would any other time of year. If bedtime is 700pm, stick to that time. (Note – if you have daylight savings, then move to the new time as quickly as you can then stick with that schedule.) With social events filling the diary, it can be tempting to stretch out bedtime or forgo daytime naps. Once and a while this is okay, but the less sleep your child has, the more difficult sleep will become overtime.

#2 Dark, dark, dark

Whether you have daylight savings or not, at the end of the day we are all trying to get our children to sleep when there is daylight. Make sure your child’s room is super dark. Darkness helps to trigger the pineal gland to release melatonin into the body. Melatonin makes us sleepy. If you do not already have block-out curtains, purchase a blackout blind like the “Gro Anywhere Blind”. These are removable and can be taken with you wherever you go.

#3 Drink lots of water

When our bodies are dehydrated, it can interfere with sleep. If you are flying, drinking lots of water reduces the effects of jet-lag. Adults should reduce alcohol consumption and children should avoid sugary drinks.

#4 Keep an eye on the temperature

Before bed, make sure your child is engaged in quiet activities. If your child is running around, their temperature will increase making it harder to fall asleep. It is just like exercising before bed.

As the temperature during the night dips, if you run a fan or air-conditioner in your child’s room, they may wake from feeling cold. Set a timer if you can and stop it before midnight.

#5 Do not engage in the battle of the wills

Older children will question “Why do I have to go to bed, the sun is still up?” Yep it sure is. Sticking to your guns and not engaging in an argument is important. Referring back to Tip #1 and Tip#2, if you are 100% consistent with your routines and schedules, and you darken the room as much as possible, this will help your child to fall asleep.

School age children may go to bed a little later over the summer holidays but 2 weeks before school returns, begin to transition them back to their usual bedtime.

So enjoy these summer months. I love this time of year as it is all about spending time with love ones, being outdoors and BBQs!! Yummy!! How about you?

Sleep well,

Janelle Jeffery

Child Sleep Consultant for Sleepytime

Sleepytime

Tag Archives: summer

The End of Year Grump

5 Hot Tips to Summer Sleep Success

Help your child to love sleep