FYI: Kids Need Their Sleep — But How Much?

Hey Mamas — now that school is well underway, don’t forget how important sleep is for your little one. This may come as a shock, but 4 and 5 year olds need 10 – 12 hours per night and 6 – 12 year olds need 10 in order to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning. This is no pie-in-the-sky fantasy — they really do need that much and most of them are not getting it.

Sometimes parents are fooled into thinking that their child isn’t tired because she is running around, laughing and playing and acting a little wild. But often that just means she has hit the OVER tired stage. Don’t assume she knows what she’s talking about when she says “I’m not tired!” Consider the source.

Buck the trend to let them stay up and be the mom who’s on the ball and getting her crew under the covers EARLY! You’ll be doing a lot to keep them healthy and help their bodies to grow.

PLUS when your child gets her sleep needs met, she’s much more likely to have a sunny disposition, success at school, and good relationships with her family and friends.

You know how hard it is for you to function at your best when you’re short on sleep and it’s just as hard, if not harder, for them. And don’t forget, unlike you, they can’t pull into Starbuck’s for a double espresso to help them get through the day!