We are all smiling at this picture due to its adorable factor and that this child went to sleep standing up. In truth, it represents an issue that is becoming larger as time wears on. Hopefully, this child doesn’t have bigger issues than just a lack of sleep but we don’t really believe that or we wouldn’t be smiling. This picture does evoke a few things from us and I am hoping one of those things is the willingness to ask ourselves a few questions.

We currently live in an age where we all have so much to do that it is almost an inconvenience that our children still nap and need regular bedtimes. But we must remember that not only are children better behaved, and healthier when they are rested but we must understand that sleep is a primary factor that allows proper growth.  We have to slow down when we have children and remember life is about them now. Not about us, or how much we can fit into a day.

I was fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom while raising our four children so I had the benefit of not having to work nap times around a full-time job. I did, however, have to take my children out of school when they were in kindergarten as they needed more sleep than I guess the rest of the children did. Although the teachers frowned on this and did everything they could to discourage me from doing so, I stuck to my beliefs. The end result was my children rarely caused a disturbance in class and rarely got sick including colds. This is not the only factor as I also ensured my children got at least 1 hour outside play every day and had healthy diets.

What do you think about SleepOvers? 

Do you believe in Co-Sleeping

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*http://www.mamatoga.com/2012/09/stages-naptimes/