Connecting as a Family

Since I started working with families several years ago, I have seen sleep problems among children and teens grow exponentially over time. Some of the reasons for this are increasing homework and school demands, more pressure to participate in extra-curriculars, and almost continuous access to screens and social media.

I wish that we could solve the larger societal problems that have led to our sleep-deprived nation. However, I sincerely believe that, on a family-level, we can change the story. Kids and teens don’t have to fall into the traps that others do if they are given the knowledge and strategies that can help them forge a new path.

As a small step forward that you can start today, what about planning a screen-free evening every week? Your kids may resist and get frustrated or annoyed at first. However, if you plan something that everyone used to enjoy, like a game night or going out for ice cream together, you will likely notice a change over time.

Kids, like all humans, are wired to enjoy real-time, face-to-face social interaction (yes, even with their parents sometimes!). Despite around-the-clock access to phone-based communication with friends and social media, kids and teens are feeling lonelier than ever. If we, as parents, put down our phones and actively plan a device-free evening each week, we might be able to show our children a glimpse of what we had as kids - a family who was present with each other.

-Dr. Courtney Villere, Founder of SleepSavvy Kids