We love kids by EXPECTING them to
Need Lots of Sleep & Rest
In our 21st century world,
most children's daily schedules lack clear time to rest.
What is more, many adults try to prevent chlldren form rest because they have learned to use exhaustion as their ally in getting kids to sleep at night.
Because children are not expected to sit quiet, calm, and still . . .
are wired from their overuse of media . . .
and unpracticed in being able to control themselves . . .
. . . night time becomes a nightmare unless kids are burnt out and ready to crash.
Because of this normalizing of and even dependence upon exhaustion, our kids are not getting the adequate amount of sleep and are not learning to listen to their bodies to know when enough is enough. Often times, adults are unable to recognize signs of lack of sleep and misdiagnose, leading to other unhealthy habits of snacking or media entertainment to address moods instead of valuing and encouraging good sleep.
Enforceable Expectation:
Children are welcome to be up and about as long as they can display self-control, constructive behaviors, and stable emotions.
When children act unstable, it is assumed they need rest and are provided the privilege of being alone, being quiet, and even sleeping, if their body so dictates.
All of us have our own ideas about what how much sleep and rest children need, but the truth of the matter is that each child's body and emotional state knows best. Our obsession with full schedules and restless days leaves many children in a perpetual state of exhaustion.
By increasing our expectations of and value for rest and sleep, we can give kids the gift of calm, rejuvenation, and greater internal stability.
Additional Benefits:
Kids who get adequate sleep and rest will also . . .
1. Learn to lead themselves in health and listening to what their body actually needs.
2. Have more energy to learn and engage in activities.
3. Have more energy to control themselves well.
4. Have more energy to connect and engage with those people and places right around them.
5. Avoid much physical illness and injury.
6. Be a lot more enjoyable to be around.
Ideas for Implementation:
Help kids get adequate sleep and rest by . . .
1. Raising expectations in other areas to pave the way for them to value and choose sleep and rest, rather than crash and burn into it.
2. Insisting they stay in bed or a quiet time at designated times (not just pre-schoolers).
3. Making sure you demonstrate a value for sleep and rest.
4. Intentionally slowing down your schedule.
5. Making day-time rest (even if not sleep) a daily occurrence for all ages at home and school.
6. Tell your own stories about sleep, rest, and night-time dreams.
7. Establish a quiet space in your environment where kids can always choose to get away.
What are your expectations around a child's sleep
and ability to listen to their bodies?
Pick one of the above ideas to begin growing and do your kids the favor of helping them build this all-important ability.
For more on raising your expectations for children,
visit here and go to the "High Expectations" topic tab