It is without argument when a parent says that potty training and putting kids to sleep early are the two most challenging tasks of parenting next to eating of course. As a parent, I too will admit that it is the most harrowing time of day trying to make a little baby or a child sleep who just won’t. The struggle is a daily one for millions of parents worldwide and mind you, it can be traumatic at times for single moms especially trying to shuttle between household chores, work and putting a baby to sleep.
A study has justified all those parents screaming “go to bed” or singing lullabies like zombies way into the night desperately trying to get a kid to sleep. It has been confirmed that when kids sleep early, mommy is healthier and happier. Said Jon Quach, lead author and research fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia “So mums and dads, getting kids to bed early isn’t just good for them, it’s good for you too”
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Although it makes sense, one wonders why did it take a study to advocate something which was practised decades ago when family life was meaningful and technology provided less distractions, when kids played in a park rather than on a PlayStation and a storybook was the need of the hour rather than a cellphone or tab.
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But, science is science and so the study named “Growing up in Australia” in which thousands of families in Australia were tracked from 2004 sought to understand the implications of the effect of children not sleeping or sleeping earlier and how it impacted the physical and mental health of parents particularly a mom.
The study required every participant sitting for an interview every two years in which the mental and physical condition of all were checked and analyzed in relation to the sleeping pattern of kid’s sleep and lifestyle. What they found was surprising but well, for grandmas and grandpas, maybe not so much.
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The ensuing data collected from the interviews found that children who went to sleep early by 8.30 pm were healthier in terms of the quality of life and mommies too had an improved state of mental health. What lead author John Quach says is absolutely right because nothing compares to the satisfying moment when your child is asleep.
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The heavenly sound of silence and no kids hankering or squabbling with each other can be relaxing. Not that parents don’t love their kids, but some ME time is essential for one’s mental sanity and a quiet home at night is the best there is, when you as a parent can relax and recharge yourself perhaps with a nice glass of wine or your hot cuppa watching your favorite episodes on TV or reading a nice book. In other words, you gain some peace and that is so important for your mental frame of mind.
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It isn’t easy managing kids. There is a load of work involved and it challenges you mentally and physically, with single parents, it becomes quite an experience which is why parents go through extreme bouts of stress and fatigue.
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The biggest benefit of the study according to Dr Quach was the fact that kids who slept earlier even slept longer. This was also proved by a U.S. Poll that featured on the National Institutes of health website.
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According to the National Sleep Foundation website of the US, it is essential to sleep earlier for improved sleep. It all boils down to your biological clock which is influenced by natural forces both internally and externally. As it gets darker, your body undergoes triggers that respond likewise by producing the sleep hormone melatonin telling the body its time to sleep. As daylight comes, melatonin reduces heralding the body to be alert and awake.
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Within this response to darkness and daylight is included the cycles of sleep that include five stages of sleep among which deep and restful sleep is most important. Given a healthy timing of sleep, deep sleep will obviously occur during the night when it’s dark. So reflect on the fact that a child sleeping late will obviously be experiencing deep sleep later at night just when it starts to get daylight when the body conditions itself to awake.
That is when the body’s natural sleep patterns are disrupted resulting in a poor quality of sleep. This results in poor focus, lethargy, lack of concentration and irritability. It is dangerous for the immune system too. Below is the chart from the National Sleep Foundation which shows how much sleep children should get every night.
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According to the sleep foundation, you need to reduce screen time and the time when kids spend on their electronic devices, the reason being that the blue light emitted from these devices can reduce and even delay melatonin production resetting and disrupting the body clock concerning sleep. Find out more about the blue light here.
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Thus a digital curfew is recommended at least two hours before bedtime. Discipline and a fixed bedtime routine is essential for an improved quality of life. A regular routine followed at home can improve your child’s cognitive function setting him up for success in life in terms’ of both career and physical and mental health. Keep their rooms dark and no caffeine should be given to kids before bedtime. As it has now been vindicated, children sleeping early benefits mom in a big way and this, if followed, will benefit all.
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