Wit's end with dd, she's sleepless in Ma!!!

[goofy4tink]

My dd, almost 13, is having huge sleep issues. She seems to be perfectly healthy, just had her physical, everything checked out. She has always had sleep issues..hard time falling asleep.
But, now it's gotten out of hand. She's up until 1 am, every night, wandering around. She's miserable, and cranky. She would like to sleep until 11, of course, but I figure that would just make it worse when she has to go to sleep that night. So, I start waking her up now around 8ish, and she is not a happy camper. Not to mention that I have my own (hormonal) sleep issues, so if I do fall asleep, when she comes in to inform me that she can't fall asleep...well, I tend to overreact since I know I won't get back to sleep for quite awhile.
She says she's not worried about the new school and 7th grade, she's really looking forward to camp in two weeks. I've tried letting her stay up later, yet wake her earlier, but it just doesn't seem to help.
Any of you gone through this with a tween before? I'm wondering if she could have the reverse hormonal issues that I have. Any hints or tried and true methods? Anything would be better than her lying there awake, for hours on end, worrying about every little thing in the world...you know..like the sun exploding and we all die. That kind of really imminent stuff!!!

 

[bbangel]

I had similar sleep issues when I was a teenager. Still do to some extent. Nothing helps completely. I did get into yoga (the stretchy relaxing kind, not the sweating, working out kind) and that helped a little. The whole meditation aspect to learn how to relax each muscle group and focus on nothing. I hope she finds something that works for her!

 

[Lil_Tink]

Maybe she is having trouble because of the heat [I dont know if it is hot where you live]. I had some trouble earlier this summer because of how hot I was, so I slept with a fan pointed directly at me.

I would also suggest doing some yoga poses before sleeping, getting her to relax.


Go here for some yoga poses to help her sleep

 

[barkley]

ds (9) goes through the same thing-the only way we can break the cycle is to let him stay up as late as he can one nite-the next day we let him sleep but wake him up every 30 minutes or so (sometimes we make him get up and walk around, sometimes just wake him up enough to talk for a few minutes)-as a result he gets no restfull sleep that day and ends up falling asleep at a decent hour (or sleeping all the way through that night) and waking up at a decent hour the next morning.

 

[luvmydogs]

I have what's called alpha-sleep disturbance--diagnosed in college after having a sleep study done. My sleeping problems started in high school (I'm 39 now).

Basically, even when I'm sleeping, my brain is "on." It's like it's constantly in an awake, thinking mode, and it rarely takes a rest. I've been taught relaxation techniques, and have tried Rx meds--which worked well for a time period, but as soon as I've gotten off them I go through that rebound effect and can't sleep again. How is she during the school year--is she on a better sleeping schedule? I know ds's internal clock is waaaaaay off in the summertime!

Not sleeping is horrible, and I've gone for months at a time getting only 2-3 hours a night, if that at all. I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, and once I open my eyes I know I'm in for a long night. About once a month I'll play catch up and sleep a good 7-8 hours.

I know how she's feeling (and you, too!) and I hope this issue resolves itself.

 

[cherylp3]

Have you tried Melatonin?

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, last night she left her air conditioned room and slept in her playroom, behind my bedroom, on the daybed, with all the windows closed. I can't imagine how stuffy it was in there.
Maybe some nice yoga stretching exercises might help. During the school year she doesn't sleep well, but better than lately. She does have hot cocoa before bed in the winter...may have to try some Ovaltine milk just before bed now I guess.
I have done those 'relaxation' exercises we learned in Lamaze classes....isolating different muscle groups..in order to try to relax at night. Maybe they would help her also. This is such a pain. thanks for the thoughts though...worth a try.

 

[SplshMtn99]

She needs some good hard physical labor to wear her out!!!

Send her over here, she can clean my 3 story condo. That should do it!! She'll be out in no time. Works for me.

I'm right down the road. I'll even pick her up. Heck, she can walk. Its good for her.

 

[goofy4tink]

She needs some good hard physical labor to wear her out!!!

Send her over here, she can clean my 3 story condo. That should do it!! She'll be out in no time. Works for me.

I'm right down the road. I'll even pick her up. Heck, she can walk. Its good for her.

Sure thing....right after she cleans her bedroom and her playroom!! I'll let you know when she's finished!!