to think this isn't quite normal?

[FreudianSlippery]

I'm really not sure about this - tbh I hope I am BU because otherwise I'm worried.

I'm a stepmum to twins age 12, they are in year 8. Basically I'm concerned with how tired they are. They often go to bed before their given bedtime (9pm) - sometimes DH phones soon after 7 and they've already gone up.

I do understand that secondary is tiring, I remember it from when I started yr7 but shouldn't they have adjusted by now?

Bit of background - they have always been made to go to bed early, until starting yr7 it was 8pm in the week. We always respected this - even when little they were perfect angels at bedtime - but now we are wondering if they need more sleep because of it IYSWIM.

The only other thing we can think of is their diet. They eat really badly. One in particular is really fussy but their mum/nan only give them ready meals etc, they eat a lot of junk (when they stay with us they eat quite well, more fruit and veg etc) - maybe they aren't getting enough nutrients etc?

Anyway... Can't think of any other reason as they live near the school and don't get a lot of homework or extra activities etc.

So why are they SO tired? Or is it normal? I'm sure their friends aren't suffering so much, I hate to think of them missing out on socialising etc.

I n my day everyone went to bed early. It was dark and cold, there was nothing on TV, there was nothing else to do.

Biologically this is the period of time that teenagers need the most sleep - it is well documented. I even remember sleeping until 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays in Year 8 having gone to bed at 9pm during the week.

DD is 12, completely healthy and she sleeps from 8.30/9 - til I wake her at 7.45.

She has always needed plenty of sleep as she has a very active life.

DH also needs at least 10 hours a night - which leads to be being irrationally resentful as I only need 6-7 hours.

I'm not sure there's a problem, and I'm finding it hard to form an opinion on this. For me it would depend how tired they are feeling during the day. It could be that they have perfectly normal energy levels during the day and are just people who need lots of sleep.

What does their mum say about it? Is she concerned? And do the girls themselves have any awareness of feeling tired all the time?