Forget about sex or sleep; for many parents it’s more like sleep or sanity. If your kid is not getting enough sleep, your sanity suffers. According to new research, a good night’s sleep is essential to keeping children on track. That may be the understatement of the year. For decades researchers having been touting studies that show well-rested children do better on standardized tests, get better grades and are better equipped to rationalize and control impulses. However, a new study, set to be published in next month’s issue of Pediatrics, takes the theory a step further by detailing what happened … Continue reading →

It may be funny when Big Bird does it, but if your child snores all night, health experts say you should be concerned rather than amused. According to a new study, children who are chronic snorers are more likely to have behavioral problems such as aggression and hyperactivity. Researchers studied nearly 250 children who snored at both age 2 and age 3. Of those kids, 35 percent showed signs of behavioral problems, while only 10 percent of non-snorers exhibited signs of behavioral issues. The study also found that 12 percent of kids who snored for one year showed such signs. … Continue reading →

I’ve been called a lot of unflattering things since becoming a parent, but “Sleep Nazi” is not one of them. Allow me to clarify: I am often accused of being a “Sleep Nazi,” only I don’t consider it unflattering at all. In fact, it’s a title I wear with unrelenting, in-your-face pride. If you saw how my child acts when she doesn’t get a good’s night sleep, I guarantee you would dig deep to find a much more complimentary title for me. I am a stickler when it comes to bedtime; namely because my child is an absolute wreck if … Continue reading →