Social media changes our perspective of things. An event takes place at noon and some post about it at midnight. An event takes place at noon and some post about it at noon. We're not all the same, but we all tend to do the same thing. Meaning, if someone posts in real time, they tend to always post in real time and vice versa.
When "we" were kids, our parents understood the importance of a good night's sleep and while special occasions called for a late night, our parents tried to time these, as not to upset our routines. Kid's today, and their parents, seem to have thrown one of the most important lessons handed down from generations away. Sleep is the single most important part of a child's life. Sleep allows them to grow, both mentally and physically. It allows them to recharge a battery that appears non-stop, but actually has a very short lifespan. It allows them to think, because while most kids view their tossing and turning as torture, it actually allows them to rethink and reset. Sleep allows their tiny immune systems to work, because we tend to heat up when we sleep and kill those germs. Sleep also allows their metabolism to set. Sleep is, without a doubt, the most important thing in a child's life.
So what does social media have to do with this? Well so often, I see parents posting pics of their kids in their PJs, watching TV, doing homework, cleaning, bathing, playing, in the car, the park, the movie theater or wherever they may be and it saddens me. I see the time of the post and wonder, "Was this just now? It's 10:10. This child should have been asleep two, maybe even three hours ago." Children, all children need to get sleep. The little ones 14-16 hours a day and once they're in preschool, 12-14, naps included. Once they hit school, they still need a good 10-12 hours. So if a child is up at 7am, they need to be in bed by 7pm. I know parents are saying "You don't understand," but when I was a kid, almost all my friends were asleep, not just in bed, but asleep, by 8pm. Our night's consisted of dinner, the Muppets, brushing teeth and sleep.
One of the things I have realized from working with kids for so long is that they need three things. Sleep, proper food and exercise. The kids that get these three things, almost all excel in school, are healthy and most importantly, show a happiness, both within their families and within their friendships. They are more thoughtful, patient and in many ways compassionate. I think sleep allows them to view things clearly, to appreciate experience and to take their time with things.
I don't know what it's like to try to put a child down to bed every night, but I do know what working with those who don't sleep are like. I know that the "bad" kids, the "dumb" kids and the ones with tons of social and physical issues all tell me the same thing. They don't sleep.
And like all cause and effect situations, there is collateral damage and collateral benefits. When kids sleep more, guess who else gets to sleep more. Guess who else is more agreeable, patient and compassionate. Guess who else gets to appreciate the tiny moments in life and actually experience them. Even better, is when an entire family sleep, they get to share in each other's health, happiness and energy. Positive energy.
If you've read this, realize another thing. I'm 46 years old and I sleep about 4 hours a night. I've had chronic insomnia since my mother was diagnosed with cancer and it never went away after she died. I tell myself I only need 4 hours, maybe five. I tell myself I'm happy. I tell myself I'm healthy, energetic and emotionally there, but you know what. On those rare occasions, I get seven, maybe even eight hours of sleep. I'm reminded of a much different time in my life. My childhood. When I experienced everything fully. Makes me hope that every kid is experiencing that, but I know better and that saddens me.
When "we" were kids, our parents understood the importance of a good night's sleep and while special occasions called for a late night, our parents tried to time these, as not to upset our routines. Kid's today, and their parents, seem to have thrown one of the most important lessons handed down from generations away. Sleep is the single most important part of a child's life. Sleep allows them to grow, both mentally and physically. It allows them to recharge a battery that appears non-stop, but actually has a very short lifespan. It allows them to think, because while most kids view their tossing and turning as torture, it actually allows them to rethink and reset. Sleep allows their tiny immune systems to work, because we tend to heat up when we sleep and kill those germs. Sleep also allows their metabolism to set. Sleep is, without a doubt, the most important thing in a child's life.
So what does social media have to do with this? Well so often, I see parents posting pics of their kids in their PJs, watching TV, doing homework, cleaning, bathing, playing, in the car, the park, the movie theater or wherever they may be and it saddens me. I see the time of the post and wonder, "Was this just now? It's 10:10. This child should have been asleep two, maybe even three hours ago." Children, all children need to get sleep. The little ones 14-16 hours a day and once they're in preschool, 12-14, naps included. Once they hit school, they still need a good 10-12 hours. So if a child is up at 7am, they need to be in bed by 7pm. I know parents are saying "You don't understand," but when I was a kid, almost all my friends were asleep, not just in bed, but asleep, by 8pm. Our night's consisted of dinner, the Muppets, brushing teeth and sleep.
One of the things I have realized from working with kids for so long is that they need three things. Sleep, proper food and exercise. The kids that get these three things, almost all excel in school, are healthy and most importantly, show a happiness, both within their families and within their friendships. They are more thoughtful, patient and in many ways compassionate. I think sleep allows them to view things clearly, to appreciate experience and to take their time with things.
I don't know what it's like to try to put a child down to bed every night, but I do know what working with those who don't sleep are like. I know that the "bad" kids, the "dumb" kids and the ones with tons of social and physical issues all tell me the same thing. They don't sleep.
And like all cause and effect situations, there is collateral damage and collateral benefits. When kids sleep more, guess who else gets to sleep more. Guess who else is more agreeable, patient and compassionate. Guess who else gets to appreciate the tiny moments in life and actually experience them. Even better, is when an entire family sleep, they get to share in each other's health, happiness and energy. Positive energy.
If you've read this, realize another thing. I'm 46 years old and I sleep about 4 hours a night. I've had chronic insomnia since my mother was diagnosed with cancer and it never went away after she died. I tell myself I only need 4 hours, maybe five. I tell myself I'm happy. I tell myself I'm healthy, energetic and emotionally there, but you know what. On those rare occasions, I get seven, maybe even eight hours of sleep. I'm reminded of a much different time in my life. My childhood. When I experienced everything fully. Makes me hope that every kid is experiencing that, but I know better and that saddens me.
One of the things I have realized from working with kids for so long is that they need three things. Sleep, proper food and exercise. The kids that get these three things, almost all excel in school, are healthy and most importantly, show a happiness, both within their families and within their friendships. They are more thoughtful, patient and in many ways compassionate. I think sleep allows them to view things clearly, to appreciate experience and to take their time with things.
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