Most of us with young children know how difficult bedtime
can be. Though we know it’s best for them to get a long, good night’s sleep,
did you know that it’s also been proven to be good for parents?
A recent study by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
in Melbourne, Australia has found that when children are in bed “early” (asleep
by 8:30 p.m.), it gives parents more time to “wind down, get things done and
feel like things are under control,” which in turn positively impacts their
mental health.[1]
Researchers collected information from parents when their children were 4-5
years old, again when they were 6-7, and lastly when they were 8-9.[2]
After analyzing sleep and lifestyle data from these various
times, they found that the children had better health-related quality of life
and their mothers had improved mental health. Interestingly, it was more
important that the children went to bed early than that they got a certain
number of hours of sleep.
One thing to be aware of is whether you allow your
child(ren) to use gadgets in their bedtime routine. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson, a
Seattle pediatrician, mother, and blogger notes, “The blue light that comes
from these gadgets affects the ability of a child to wind down.”[3]
(That’s something to keep in mind for your own bedtime routine, too!)
To get your kids to sleep on time and to sleep more soundly,
Swanson recommends the following:
- Make sure they get exercise during the day
- Have screens out of their hands by 7 p.m.
- Give them time to wind down after dinner
- Give them a chance to spend family time with you before you tuck them into bed.
Working to restore
GOD’s perfect design in you!
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