My 11 year old daughter has a serious problem… she can’t fall asleep. While her actually bedtime has remained consistent over the past three years, 9:30pm, she is falling asleep later and later. You may wonder what I mean by late, well, even by adult standards I mean late! Not before 12:30pm. Let me tell you something even more strange…my husband and I are fast asleep by 10:30pm. What kid likes to be awake in a house when everyone is asleep? When I was child I would have been terrified to be awake when my parents were asleep.
While it’s not as big of a deal in the summer, during the school year I am concerned that it affects her ability to concentrate and perform.
Some of my friends have pointed out that she was never a great sleeper. They say “it’s her nature”. They also explain that some people don’t need as much sleep. But I disagree, she is very tired in the morning and can easily sleep in to 10 or 11am. So she does in fact need the sleep.
How can I help her get to sleep at a more reasonable hour? Do you have children that also struggled with this same issue? Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
I have a nightowl who is now 19. She was just like your daughter from the day she was born and still is. Its nature for sure as the rest of us like to sleep. My 16 year old is not necessarily a nightowl but has definitely had the more serious issue of wanting to sleep, being tired but just not able to fall asleep and stay asleep. The difference is my daughter isnt tired and doesnt want to go to sleep. My son is tired and very busy so needs his rest and so i was very concerned when he couldnt shut down to go to sleep. We tried natural store stuff for sleep when he was younger and it worked ok, but now we just use melatonin. Sometimes he will use it for weeks, then he doesnt need it for a while, because i guess it regulates his sleep. I also get the slow release from the natural food /vitamin store because it helps him to stay alseep. And how much is something you will have experiment with as to dosage. Start with the recommended but if it doesnt work, you can increase the dosage as weight, height etc. is different with everyone.
Re: melatonin – make sure to get the drops. I’ve heard that the drops are much more effective with kids. Ours is called Natures Harmony Sleep Tight Liquid Melatonin.
I am going out to buy some melatonin! My nearly 11 year-old has so much trouble falling asleep. Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.
Sadly, our whole household are a bunch of night owls who have allergies. I have to give them Zyrtec and Singular which in turn, makes them prone to fall asleep anywhere they drop.
Try some melatonin.
I give it to my kids when they can’t shut down. My 9yr old asks for it when he knows he needs it.
I get the drops from The Superstore in the natural value section.
I even take it myself on those nights where I am tossing and turning. It’s safe – both of my naturopaths suggested it and it works wonderfully to help settle and fall asleep.
Good luck!