cloversandlions Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 DS is a terrible insomniac (not unlike me, unfortunately) but it is wreaking havoc on our days because he's having a hard time waking up in the mornings. It was bad enough when he slept in until 9 am or so, but now, unless I wake him up, he will sleep until after noon - sometimes as late as 1 or 2 pm. If he does get up "early", he usually falls asleep in the late afternoon. One of the problems is that our house has 3 bedrooms in the main part of the house, and 3 in the basement. Technically, only one of those basement rooms counts as a bedroom; the other two do not have windows. When we moved here seven months ago, he wanted one of the rooms without windows, and I let him do that. But it's just SO dark in there, and I think that really doesn't help him in the mornings. The one bedroom in our basement that does have a window is a regular room - the ground outside is at the same level as the floor inside. The window faces south, and the room is always well-lit naturally. That room is currently set up as our homeschool room - we've installed a large, difficult-to-assemble desk as well as a room-length counter to serve as a continuous desk surface. My girls (both younger) are in there often to draw; they love it in that room. I would be disappointed to move our homeschool stuff to the darker room (it might be my favorite room in the house, too!), but I think it would help my son. I don't, however, think it's the only solution. Both rooms are pretty sizable - ds' current room is 15' x 14.5' and the homeschool room is about a foot shorter in length and width. My girls' rooms upstairs are tiny by comparison. Does anyone here have input on whether moving him to the well-lit room would be better? Also, does anyone have ideas on how to reestablish healthy sleep habits for him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 You could try putting a dawn simulator lamp into his room--maybe that would help him wake up at the right time. You're right that the dark isn't helping him wake up. I position mine so that it shines right on my face--it helps a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloversandlions Posted October 25, 2012 Author Share Posted October 25, 2012 You could try putting a dawn simulator lamp into his room--maybe that would help him wake up at the right time. You're right that the dark isn't helping him wake up. I position mine so that it shines right on my face--it helps a lot. I've never heard of such a thing ~ what an interesting idea! Having just searched on amazon, I'm curious to know if a lamp is better than an alarm clock? Thanks for the reply! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarynB Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 If you don't want to spend a lot, you could also try putting a regular lamp on a timer next to his bed. I do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I think I'd work on the other end of the problem and try to find a way to help him go to sleep earlier and more easily. I'd try melatonin or talking to your doctor for other ideas, sending him to bed earlier with the understanding that the first hour is for quiet reading or similar activities to help wind his brain down, blackout curtains, sound machines, etc. In the morning, I'd make him wake with an alarm at a reasonable time and begin the school day with some sort of physical activity like exercise, stretching, or yoga. I would do everything possible to make sure he does not get to sleep or take a nap for more than 15-20min in the afternoon, because that's just setting himself up for failure. I'd have plans for him to be busy with something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2samlibby Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Magnesium deficiency can cause insomnia. I would try a magnesium supplement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloversandlions Posted October 25, 2012 Author Share Posted October 25, 2012 Paige, we've used melatonin in the past, but I'd read recently that it is not advisable to give it to children (whether a 150-lbs, 13yo should be considered a child, medically speaking, I don't know) because it might interfere with the body's ability to manufacture it on its own. When he has taken it in the past, it helps him to fall asleep quickly, but he says he wakes up frequently through the night. He does usually get up earlier the next morning, though. I've started suggesting chamomile tea instead, but he doesn't care for it. We both would like to get him back into martial arts, but we are finding it hard to fit into day....because he gets started so late. I like the idea of a timer for a lamp; in his current room, though, we are limited by having only three outlets. We've moved the snake (and the accompanying heaters and lamps) to the homeschool room for now to free up an outlet. So, do you all think that keeping him in a windowless room isn't a big deal? He's not sure what he wants, but admits that the extra outlets in the current homeschool room are appealing to him. Plus, he grudgingly admits that the window in there might be a good thing for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 My dd who is 15 had horrible insomnia and so I took her to a sleep specialist. He recommended a complete regimen and says it works 90% of the time. It involved first staying up for 36 hours to reset the internal clock, and that evening, have a hot shower about an hour before sleep, take melatonin 1 mg., and then go to the bedroom and read a dull book. In the morning, wake up at the regular time (let's say 8am ) and do 1/2 hour with the light machine. And he said that sometimes. the schedule goes off again so then you do the 36 hour thing again. DD did this last spring and hasn't had any more problems. She is still taking the 1 mg melatonin and doing the light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 You could try putting a dawn simulator lamp into his room--maybe that would help him wake up at the right time. You're right that the dark isn't helping him wake up. I position mine so that it shines right on my face--it helps a lot. We live in Alaska where for most of the winter, it's dark until 10is and then get dark again by 3:30-4:00. One of the things that I found to make the mornings easier is timers on bedroom lamps. There are those which raise the light level gradually but they are pricier. Instead we just use regular timers. Set them to go on BEFORE the alarm is set to ring. You could try several lamps with different wattage to come on every 5 minutes until they are all on. That would simulate the 'gradual' lighting. Also, as I wake up and go to call the kids, I turn on every light as I pass it. I've noticed that the brightness in the house really makes a difference to getting moving in the morning. I don't open the blinds until the sun is up - nothing to remind them that it's still dark outside. Since you only have a dark room, you might just try adding the lights in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I'd also attempt (though it may be Mission Impossible) to reduce late night screen time. It's just too hard to wind down after playing an action video game, or suspenseful movie. Using that last hour of the day for quiet reading is a great suggestion. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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