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Getting enough sleep is just as important for good health as eating well and exercising regularly. Quality sleep is essential for growth, learning, productivity, happiness, weight management, and overall mental and physical well-being. This is especially critical for children.
Establishing regular sleep patterns is crucial for children to get good sleep. However, during the holidays, many families travel and stay with relatives or in other accommodation, disrupting the established sleep routines. This begs the question: will these changes negatively impact the sleeping habits children have developed during the school term?
As a specialist in child sleep disorders for over two decades, my extensive research suggests that altering sleep patterns during the summer break doesn’t have to be a concern. There are numerous strategies parents can employ to overcome sleep-related issues during and after the holidays.
Sleeping is a skill
Parents in countries like Australia often expect their children to sleep on their own, although this isn’t always the case.
As many as 40% of families use behavioral sleep techniques to encourage their child to sleep independently. While effective, it can be quite challenging for the entire family.
Concerns may arise from parents that sharing a room or bed with them during the holidays could set a precedent that continues into the school term.
However, scientific evidence suggests that once children have mastered a skill, such as sleeping independently, their neural comprehension of that skill remains intact for quite some time. Minor disruptions or temporary relapses during a holiday will not erase this skill. The child will still know how to sleep alone.
But they may not always want to.
Children may discover that sleeping with parents or siblings is more enjoyable for them. However, this might not be as pleasant for parents, who may not necessarily wish to share a bed with a restless child or deal with siblings fooling around when they should be sleeping.
Like many aspects of parenting, it’s beneficial for parents to remind children of the household rules and guide them back to their regular sleep routine.
It’s also helpful to explain to children that co-sleeping or sharing a room is temporary. Kids can and do learn that sleeping arrangements might differ in various places, but the rules remain the same at home.
What if my child won’t sleep at the holiday accommodation?
This issue isn’t just about preventing parents and others from getting a good night’s sleep.
