Set a good example
If your teen is a persistent night owl, take a look at your own sleep habits. Adolescents often fail at doing what we tell them, but always excel at imitating what we do. If you want your teen to go to bed at a reasonable hour, you need a bedtime that's not dictated by your workload or the TV listings. If you have the habit of staying up late to meet a pressing deadline, your teen is more likely to stay up past midnight to finish an assignment. If you stay up late to watch an old movie on TV, guess who'll be on the couch beside you?
In our fast-paced society, going without sleep in order to achieve goals is often considered admirable. The executive assistant who works until midnight to prepare the minutes for the board meeting is rewarded with a bonus. The person who not only holds a full-time job but also obtains a diploma or degree through evening classes is admired. Make sure you don't inadvertently reward your child for staying up late by praising the subsequent achievements.
Sleep Problems
Adolescents have to cope with significant new conflicts and anxieties, which may affect their sleep. They might have more nightmares, a sleepless night, or occasional trouble falling asleep. However, a change in sleeping patterns can be a tip-off that something's not right. Adolescents going through depression typically sleep too much. They sleep deeply all night, take naps, or even spend the whole day in bed. They withdraw into sleep as a way of avoiding the problems that they find impossible to solve. If your child sleeps excessively or has problems with sleep, discuss them with your family doctor.
The organization Sleep/Wake Disorders Canada provides informative publications and information on selfhelp groups. Among the descriptions of over eighty disorders of sleeping and waking, you may find background information and suggestions that help you understand what's happening with your child and the avenues you can explore with your doctor.
