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Summary & Participants

Going back to school is tough for families who have been enjoying a relaxed summertime schedule. Learn how to get sleep back on track for the whole family.

Medically Reviewed On: July 06, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: Summertime and the living is easy. And for many families that means the lights go out later at night and that jarring alarm goes off later in the morning.

JODI MINDELL, PhD: Everyone's outside during the summer in the evening, so they're staying up later than they usually are. You're staying up later in the night. You're sleeping in later in the morning, children are going to camp or teenagers are staying up to midnight, 1 am and sleeping in to 10 or 11, because they don't have to get up for school.

Parents may not have to get their kids up in the morning, so they may be able to sleep a little bit later, because they don't have to do the whole get ready for school, make the lunches, get them out the door.

ANNOUNCER: And then just when you get used to the long sun-drenched days and sandcastle building, the dog days of summer are over, and then school's in session.

As any parent knows, settling back into the fall routine is easier said than done.

JODI MINDELL, PhD: When we think about going back to school, we think about the effect on children and teenagers in terms of getting them back on a schedule. However, what we forget is that parents need to also make the shift and it's going to really affect their sleep schedule, too. It really relies on the parents to get the kids up for school and get them out the door. And so that can be very stressful for parents and affect their sleep at night.

ANNOUNCER: Back to school also means the family goes into high gear, shopping for clothes and school supplies, juggling after school activities, facing new academic hurdles. No wonder there's a healthy dose of apprehension.

DANIEL LEWIN, PhD: A very anxious child may start anticipating the return to school two weeks ahead of time. Start to get nervous, start to get over-activated. And nighttime, lying in bed at night, may be one of the key times that that child will ruminate about "What is school going to be like? Will I have as many friends? Will my teacher be nice?"

I think parents will probably feel some of the stress that their children feel around the transition back to school.

ANNOUNCER: Both a new schedule and all the excitement can put a damper on a good night's sleep for one and all.

JODI MINDELL, PhD: If your child's not sleeping, you're not going to be sleeping. But parents, too, are going to be going through an adjustment time. They're trying to shift their internal clock back. It may be difficult for them to fall asleep at an earlier time in the evening, they may be tired in the morning, they may not be getting as much sleep as if they were on a summer schedule.

ANNOUNCER: Not getting a good night's rest at this crucial time can have an impact.

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