Twolittleboys Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I am a bit baffled (and slightly worried) about my 13 year old son. He is more of a night owl so waking him up in the morning to go to school can be difficult. He needs to be up at 6:30 at the latest so I generally try to have him in bed no later than 9 pm. I know that is rather early but he really doesn't do well when tired... Anyway, early last week we had a bit of a fight in the evening. The next thing I knew he had fallen asleep! He woke up after 20 minutes or so but it was a bit strange. Then Thursday last week he was so tired I couldn't get him up in the morning. This has happened before but not often and generally after he had stayed up too long several days in a row (for example after a vacation). He then slept until 11 am AND went to bed (and sleep) at 8pm. The next day he claimed to still be too tired to get up and again slept in a bit and went to bed early. He was kind of okay over the weekend but complained about being tired yesterday afternoon. Now today he voluntarily went to bed a little past 6 pm and actually fell asleep! I don't THINK it is just not wanting to go to school - I am really pretty strict about that and it isn't as if he was staying up late. Nothing has changed with his daily activities etc. so I really don't know what is causing this. Is this normal for teenagers? Could it be because he is growing? Or would you take him to see the doctor to make sure he isn't sick (he was sick with sore throat/cold about two weeks ago)? I really would appreciate some input as I don't want him to miss school but also don't want to make him go if there is something else going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 It could be a teen thing, but it might be worthwhile to get him tested for mono. It can be miserable if it gets more serious. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink and Green Mom Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 My son slept a lot at 13. He could go to bed right after school and wake up the next morning exhausted. I think it is pretty normal. Between growing, growing pains, hormones, etc there is just a lot going on. With that said.... mono is going around where I live. If he is showing any signs of illness I would take him in. But excessive sleeping by itself, probably not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twolittleboys Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 I was wondering about mono but it is rather uncommon here... The excessive sleeping is just totally new. I mean he does need rather a lot of sleep but not to the point of going to bed at 6 (school here is generally only from 8 to 1 so the school day is a bit shorter) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAPeachie Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I'd take him in to be sure. Depression? Low vitamin D? Anemia? Thyroid? Mono? Maybe even strep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Sounds like he is sick. Could be any number of things, even walking pneumonia. Though 12 hours a night is normal for some, for a teen for that long... I'd bring him in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twolittleboys Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 I don't think it is depression. He does feel grumpy but I think that is more because he is tired and not the other way around. It did start up soon after he was sick (and I have the most awful sore throat ever and can't get rid of it so there is definitely something going around). Thanks everybody - I do think I will take him to see the doctor if he is again too tired for school tomorrow (if only because I feel bad if he stays home "without" being sick). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Take him to the doctor. Hopefully it's just a low-grade virus, but there are a couple super serious things it could be, and all of them are better if they are caught early. Insist on a blood count to check for blood issues and infections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I'd take him to the doctor and if that showed nothing, I'd make sure all electronics were collected at bedtime. After that, it may just be a growth spurt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twolittleboys Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) I'd take him to the doctor and if that showed nothing, I'd make sure all electronics were collected at bedtime. After that, it may just be a growth spurt. No worries there - electronics are definitely collected (and it is a smallish apartment so I don't think I am missing something). AND electronics get confiscated for an extended time if school is missed without a reason. So I think he really is so tired in the morning that he doesn't even care. Edited February 23, 2016 by Twolittleboys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 My 13 yo needs a solid 12 hours of sleep every.single.night. 8:30 or 9pm-9 am is his norm. I know that's not an option for you, but I can easily see why your son is so tired. I am dreading sending mine to public high school if only for this reason. Many teens for sure need tons of sleep, but trust your instincts if you think something's up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twolittleboys Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 My 13 yo needs a solid 12 hours of sleep every.single.night. 8:30 or 9pm-9 am is his norm. I know that's not an option for you, but I can easily see why your son is so tired. I am dreading sending mine to public high school if only for this reason. Many teens for sure need tons of sleep, but trust your instincts if you think something's up. I kind of hope that isn't it as I really don't know what to do then. 6:30 pm is a bit early for a teenager (he already complains about the 8:30 pm but that one is definitely needed)on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) I don't think it is depression. He does feel grumpy but I think that is more because he is tired and not the other way around. It did start up soon after he was sick (and I have the most awful sore throat ever and can't get rid of it so there is definitely something going around). Thanks everybody - I do think I will take him to see the doctor if he is again too tired for school tomorrow (if only because I feel bad if he stays home "without" being sick). Strep is really commonly paired with mono, as are other infections that won't go away. I don't think mono is really less common in some places - the virus is all around all the time. Most people get it as kids though and it isn't very bad then, so they are immune later. It is much worse in teens and adults. Edited February 23, 2016 by Bluegoat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I kind of hope that isn't it as I really don't know what to do then. 6:30 pm is a bit early for a teenager (he already complains about the 8:30 pm but that one is definitely needed)on a regular basis. I agree! I would be in that position too if I had to wake mine early. As it is, a 9 am wake up means we don't start schoolwork until close to 10...it's an issue, but I'm a huge fan of sleep for kids so long as it isn't too disrupting (which clearly 6:30 is). Hopefully it's just a growth spurt! Is he eating a ton, too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twolittleboys Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 I agree! I would be in that position too if I had to wake mine early. As it is, a 9 am wake up means we don't start schoolwork until close to 10...it's an issue, but I'm a huge fan of sleep for kids so long as it isn't too disrupting (which clearly 6:30 is). Hopefully it's just a growth spurt! Is he eating a ton, too? He is eating kind of a lot (though not surprisingly much) and he definitely has grown/is growing. Just not sure if that explains the huge need for sleep (he never had that when growing before). I wish getting up later was an option but unfortunately we will have to make the best of it (all schools here start around 8 am and he has about a 30 minute walk) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twolittleboys Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 Strep is really commonly paired with mono, as are other infections that won't go away. I don't think mono is really less common in some places - the virus is all around all the time. Most people get it as kids though and it isn't very bad then, so they are immune later. It is much worse in teens and adults. If I take him I might have the doctor take a look at me as well... I have never had a sore throat that bad that lasted over a week. You are probably right that mono isn't really less common here but in my entire life I have never heard of someone I know having it (only in the US). Not while I was at school myself nor in my kids' classes nor any of my friends or their families. Pretty strange, isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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