Search Results for: blog getting enough sleep should be a priority

Get Enough Sleep for Your Baby

It is no myth that one of the major side effects of having a baby is sleep deprivation. The people around you will tell you to make sure that you sleep when the baby does, but this isn’t always practical. After all, there is the laundry to do, meals to prepare, etc. And who is ready to take a nap just two hours after they get up anyway. But getting enough sleep is more important for a new parent than you might at first think. There are several reasons why your baby needs you to be well-rested. When you are … Continue reading →

Lack of Sleep Affects Big Kids Too

When our children are babies and preschoolers, we parents know how important those naps are! Many of us become so in tune with our tiny children that we know the minute they start to fuss or get crabby that it is time for the anticipated nap or at least some rest time. As our kids get older, and their homework load increases, and their activities become like a second job—we might forget that they still need plenty of sleep. Many behavior issues—both at home and at school—can be traced back to lack or shortage of sleep. I really notice how … Continue reading →

You Can’t MAKE a Child Sleep

I think if you were to ask parents about what the big “issues” are in their families, bed time and sleeping habits would likely make each parent’s top ten. From the time a child is tiny; parents fuss and work to make the child get to sleep and stay asleep. BUT, in reality, we cannot really MAKE them sleep… I learned the “You can put a child to bed, but you can’t make him sleep” rule when I had my third child. My son was never a sleeper. After having two daughters who slept through the night and took great … Continue reading →

Getting Enough Sleep Should Be a Priority

Meeting the needs of children with medical problems or behavioral disorders can be exhausting. A child who must be checked and re-checked throughout the night, or one with sleep disturbances or night terrors can leave parents frustrated and overwhelmed. And if we’re not careful, we can become accustomed to getting very little rest and almost forget what a real night of recuperative sleep feels like. When we’re sleep-deprived, we’re more likely to feel like we’re incapable of handling everything we have to accomplish in a day. Problems seem so much bigger. We’re irritable without knowing exactly why. Sometimes sleep-deprivation makes … Continue reading →

Help Your Child Relax

In a recent study researchers found that over half of 7 to 9 year olds were feeling stressed. Those with divorced parents experience additional stress as they are going between homes and trying to balance all of the other little things in their young lives. As parents we want our children to be happy and enjoy life without getting bogged down by the pressures of everyday life. We need to create an atmosphere in our home that encourages our children to relax and enjoy being little. Don’t overschedule your children. While you want your children to stay busy and be … Continue reading →

Natural Ways to Boost Your Energy

Energy drinks, such as 5-Hour Energy and others are a booming industry. Many people rely on these energy drinks to get through the day. I’ve seen them being pulled out of purses, laid on people’s desks, and sold out at the convenience stores. I’ve never tried these drinks myself, so I can’t speak for them, but wouldn’t it be better to try something natural first? There are several ways to naturally boost your energy levels throughout the day. Many of them are just common sense, but there are a few tricks in there, too. First of all, getting enough sleep … Continue reading →

Suggested New Year’s Resolutions for Adoptive Parents

I’m not going to look at my last year’s New Year’s Resolutions blog before I write this one. I’m just going to go with what’s on my mind now. So what is on my mind now? Too much, that’s what. I want to have more meaningful family conversations at the dinner hour. I want to find a book that the whole family can enjoy reading by the fireside in the evenings—and keep reading age-appropriate books with each child individually too. I want to do all my physical therapy exercises and see if I can finally quit re-injuring myself. I want … Continue reading →

A Special Needs Parenting Energy Crisis?

What is the greatest gift that you can personally give your child? Take a moment and think about your answer. It it LOVE? Love is a wonderful thing, but nope. I don’t think so. Love is not enough. We’ve all heard of parents who probably loved their kids very much, but lost them due to neglect or abuse. I don’t think we can always say that abusive parents don’t love their children. Even neglectful parents may love their kids. But they don’t have the tools, knowledge, or mental health to be good parents. So I ask again, what is the … Continue reading →