Tweenager who can't sleep

[Nattie]

DS is 11 going on 15 with hormones raging. He has so much trouble going to sleep. He used to sleep so well and deeply.

I employ all the tactics (?sp) I used to when he was a toddler (but transposed to a tweenage life!) - routine, calming down, no computer after 7.00 pm, reading in bed, toasty snack and milk.

He goes to bed at 8.30 and is still awake at 11.30. He's up and down stairs to the loo, in and out of bed and just can't settle. In the morning he's exhausted, has to be dragged out of bed to go to school and has dark grey rings around his eyes.

A colleague who has young adult boys says that's what they go through when their hormones kick in. It's just that it's heartbreaking that ds is only 11 and so tired all the time.

Anybody have similar experiences? What's the view on giving him Melatonin?

[lazymumofteenagesons]

DS1 started this at a similar age and still has trouble at 17.
Try later to bed by about an hour, cos no point getting stressed over it for too long. Also, at weekends try not to let his sleep pattern change too much or else he is virtually feeling jet lagged.
At 16 he bought himself Nytol but this made him groggy in the morning.
He is now trying Valerean.
It can also be made worse if he is stressed over stuff at school etc.
I have not found a magic cure and he has taken days off school cos he just couldn't function.
Sorry not much help, but you are not alone!

[Nattie]

thanks

Is the Valerean working?

Do you know anything about Melatonin?

[Nattie]

Does anybody have a view on Melatonin?

thanks

[myfunnynametaken]

Sorry don't know much about melatonin but was just wondering whether your ds was getting enough physical activity. I only ask because I noticed my own ds at that age was spending long hours in school and then the school bus and using his brain, but not actually using up any physical energy.

Is your ds very active?

[optimisticmumma]

My DD(13) is on melatonin prescribed by consultant because she has insomnia due to CFS/ME. It does seemed to have improved her sleeping but this may be a placebo effect. I can't say whether her sleepiness in the morning is a side affect or just part of her illness (the latter I think). I don't know whether this helps!
My gut feeling as a mum of a DS who at 12 has grown 7 inches in a year and is fully through puberty is relax and don't worry he will get through. I would be very wary of giving him medication. I would watch him and allow him the odd day off to recover if necessary. I agree that he probably needs a later bed time and possibly more physical activity. Have you looked at relaxation CDs? Try calmforkids.Works everytime for my DD and there is one designed for teenaagers. My only other thought would be to double check he is OK at school - friends and workwise.
HTH

[Nattie]

You're probably right, myfunnynametaken. Exercise is a battle. He does walk to and from school and does fencing and yoga once a week. He is a computer-bound child, hence the yoga. I am trying to get him to do some yoga each night as a warm down.

Totatally selfishly, it is great to get the children in bed by nine in the evening.

I'll have another go at the exercise angle.

thanks

[christywhisty]

I wrote the same post about dd a few months ago. I tried things like warm milk etc but it didn't really work. To be honest I just ended up relaxing a bit, just making sure she was in bed by about 9. My problem like yours was the getting up in the morning. This as resolved itself as she started arranging to meet friends on the way to school and also her school started a breakfast sats club. She had a reason to get up early and it has slowly bought the time she goes to sleep a bit earlier, still nearer to 11 than I would like.