Let’s discuss the nightly struggle of getting kids to bed, a challenge that plagues parents regardless of their children’s ages. We all know that convincing children to settle down for the night can feel like trying to roll a giant, squirming boulder into a bathtub. Just the other evening, I shouted from the bottom of the stairs, “YOU’VE HAD ENOUGH HUGS!” at my four-year-old.
However, the real bedtime battle lies with my older two kids. Mia is nine, and Ethan is 12. Getting them to sleep on time isn’t as straightforward as a bath and bedtime story. They both have homework to tackle, and their schedules are packed—Ethan attends soccer practice twice a week, while Mia has gymnastics once a week. After they arrive home around 3:30 p.m., we enter a chaotic race against the clock until their 8 p.m. bedtime. It’s a frenzy of completing obligations while they constantly plead for screen time. Picture this: the whole family gathered at the dinner table, my partner assisting Ethan with math, while I help Mia with her writing, and our youngest is glued to a tablet.
Honestly, this isn’t how I envisioned family life would be when I embraced parenthood, but if we don’t fit everything in, there’s no chance of getting those kids to bed on time.
I’ve seen firsthand how a lack of sleep affects my children’s mornings—they drag their feet, and their moods can be less than pleasant. The consequences of not getting enough rest extend beyond mere crankiness. According to the CDC’s National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, high-achieving students average 30 more minutes of sleep each night (6.71 hours) compared to those with lower grades (6.16 hours). It’s astonishing how such a tiny increment can have a significant impact.
Does that mean getting your children to bed on time will instantly transform them into A students? Not necessarily. But it does highlight that adequate sleep can enhance a child’s ability to perform academically. Just last night, for example, Ethan finished his homework right after school, had an early dinner, and went to soccer practice. He returned home, showered, and before we knew it, it was already 8 p.m. Proud of his accomplishments, I allowed him an extra hour for gaming as a reward. However, I now question if that was the right choice.
In our household, we monitor screen time very closely. If we didn’t, our kids would be glued to games and Netflix, neglecting all responsibilities. We do reward them with screen time, but days like last night leave me feeling conflicted. I want to commend Ethan for his hard work, but I also worry about him dozing off in class because he stayed up late gaming, which has indeed happened before.
This is the modern parenting reality: balancing screen time regulation while teaching kids how to fulfill their obligations. Naturally, I wondered—how much sleep do my children really need? According to an insightful analysis by Savvysleeper of the CDC’s report on high school sleep patterns, teenagers aged 13 to 18 should aim for 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Yet, a staggering 71% of them fall short of that target. A major culprit in this sleep deficit? You guessed it: screen time.
Among high school students who don’t get enough rest, about one in three admitted to watching between two to three hours of TV on school nights. While 19% reported no TV watching, 14% juggled homework, extracurriculars, and four or more hours of TV before bed. Additionally, around 28% of students who aren’t getting adequate sleep spend over four hours gaming on school nights.
The takeaway? Recognizing the significance of sleep and instilling that understanding in our children is crucial. I get it—each time I tell them to power down and go to bed, they react as if I’ve committed a serious crime. With my 12-year-old, even a simple good morning can earn me a glare that could cut. Yet, this reality compels us to ensure our kids hit the hay earlier because just 30 extra minutes can make a profound difference.
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In summary, ensuring that high school students get enough sleep is vital for their academic performance and overall well-being. Just an additional 30 minutes of sleep each night can significantly impact their ability to thrive in school.