The other day, my sister-in-law Hope sent me this fascinating talk on sleep by Dr. Matthew Walker, Director of UC Berkeley’s Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab. In the video, Dr. Walker discusses the importance of sleep as it relates to the body’s physical, mental, and emotional functions. Reproductivity, dementia, and cancer are a few of the specific topics that he touches on, and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about what happens to our brains and bodies when we sleep.
Sleep is such an important factor in our health, and it’s something that parents are forever seeking more of, both for them and for their children. Looking back on my childhood, I realize how diligent my parents were about making sure that we got 8 hours of sleep as much as possible, and that they got the same. My dad is a pilot, so he doesn’t have a regular sleep/wake schedule – sometimes to has to be at work at 5 am, and other times at 5 pm. Yet he’s always been very scheduled in terms of getting at least 8 hours of sleep at night, even if it means going to bed at 7 pm. My brother and I were on regular bedtime schedules, and we’ve always been pretty good sleepers. Now that I’m in adulthood and especially after watching this video, I’m thankful for my parents’ prioritization of sleep in our lives and fortunate that we haven’t had much trouble sleeping.
(Ironically, after watching this video, I had trouble sleeping for the next few nights, and it’s certainly frustrating, especially now that I know the implications! I think I psyched myself out as we sometimes do… it really is mind over matter so much of the time, isn’t it? Thankfully, I got past that hump and am back to sleeping soundly once again.)
I’m a big fan of keeping a regular sleep schedule and have always imagined that this is how I would try to raise my kids as well (“try” being the operative word, as I know that this can be much more difficult than it seems!). At the same time, I’ve been reading How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm: And Other Adventures in Parentings (from Argentina to Tanzania and Everywhere in Between) by Mei-Ling Hopgood. In the book, Mei-Ling illustrates the late-night sleep schedules of Argentinian children and their flexibility with being able to sleep anywhere and at anytime. Kids of all ages tag along with their parents to late-night soccer games, shows and concerts, and weddings which can last until 7 am! Instead of having a rigorous nap and sleep schedule, the kids are more self-regulated and learn to sleep on the go amidst the noise and activities when they get tired.
While my first instinct would tell me that this would lead to cranky children and cranky adults, the Argentinians are night owls. They are used to staying up late for all different occasions, so for them, it would be a bother to miss out on events just to ensure that the children are home and tucked into bed. They are also more kid-friendly in general when it comes to children at public venues, nice restaurants, house parties, etc., so it makes sense to just bring the kids with. This is the Argentinian way, and for them, it works.
Here in the States, I know several parents who like to stay up late, and they have small children who are used to staying up late as well. They may not go to sleep until midnight or 1 am on any given night, but they sleep in until 11 am, babies included! I was so impressed when I heard this, as this would be basically unheard of in my family, especially at that age, because we tend to be early to bed and early to rise, but that’s because our parents were. I just assumed that all kids are early risers, but I realize now that they do what they are used to. It’s amazing how children adapt to the schedules of their parents and of their environment.
What about you? Are you early birds or night owls? What is your family’s sleep schedule like and how does it work for you? And finally, do you have any tricks or tips for ensuring that you and/or your little ones get the sleep you need? I’d love to hear.
P.S. Making holidays special, and parenting like the French.