As soon as the sun starts staying up later in the evening, parents are bound to be asked by their kids why they’re having to go to sleep while the sun is still up. And when school is no longer in session, you might get a decent argument about staying up later since there’s no school in the morning. And while these reasons might make sense to them, kids often don’t understand just how important a good night’s sleep is to their health and well-being.
So to help ensure that your kids don’t lose too much sleep during the summer months, here are three tips for helping your kids get good sleep during summer break.
Embrace The Dark
Everyone’s sleep cycles are impacted by the amount of light that they are exposed to each day. As the sun goes down, people start to get more tired. But if your kids are in bright light up until the moment they go to sleep, it can be very hard for their bodies to help them get ready for sleep.
Knowing this, it’s wise to start embracing the dark as your kids get ready to go to sleep. About an hour before bed, start closing the blinds and making your home a little darker. Then, when you put your kids in bed, use blackout curtains on the windows in their room to keep all the sunlight out and make it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep into the morning hours.
Make Their Bedroom Cool Enough
The temperature of your child’s room can also make it hard for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.
If the area in which you live gets very hot in the summers, you’ll want to take steps to help your child’s bedroom stay cool enough for them to comfortably sleep in. If you have an air conditioner, make sure it’s working well enough to keep your home cool on hot summer nights. And if you don’t have an air conditioner, try using fans and cold cloths to help your child cool down as they get ready for bed.
Stick To Consistent Bedtimes And Waking Times
When school isn’t the thing that your kids are going to bed for and waking up to, it might seem silly to still go to sleep early and wake up early. But if you want to ensure that your kids are still getting enough sleep, you’ll want to help them stick to these consistent bedtimes and waking times as much as possible.
By going to bed at a similar time as they do during the school year, you’ll help them continue to get consistent sleep and be ready for the school year to start again in just a few short months.
If you’re worried about your kids sleeping well in the summertime, consider using the tips mentioned above to help your kids get the sleep they need during this time of the year.