If you have not already done so, please read Blog Posts 1 through 5 that describe how sleep is important and beneficial. I will post specific information for parents and children based on my book, “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.” Please do not be put off by my book’s length. This is a reference book. Read only the topic of interest to you.
There is individual variation in the need for early bedtimes, duration of night sleep, and the ability to cope with less than optimal sleep. Please don’t expect all your children’s sleep needs to be the same or similar to those of their classmates.
It was important to recognize that the twins had different sleep patterns. John likes early to bed, early to rise. Elizabeth prefers staying up and sleeping in. Naps for Elizabeth are more important due to her sleep patterns. She also sleeps much later and longer on her sleep-in day, compensating for the fewer hours of sleep during the week.
