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My Tween Is Tired, And Yours Probably Is Too
It’s 6:45 a.m., and my son is perched on the stairs of our home, lacing up his shoes. It takes him an eternity—three whole minutes—because he’s moving at a snail’s pace. My instinct as a mom is to rush him so he doesn’t miss the bus, but my empathy kicks in, and I can’t help but feel sorry for him. That level of exhaustion is palpable; it’s almost as if I’m carrying a huge, cartoonish anvil myself.
At least this time of the year isn’t too bad—the sun is beginning to rise, and the birds have been chirping for a while. But during the winter months, sending an 11-year-old out into the cold, dark morning feels downright cruel.
Beyond my own experience or the shared stories from other parents, there’s substantial evidence showing that sleep deprivation among tweens and teens is a real issue. Despite the scientific backing, not much has been done to address it.
The common solution proposed is to simply get them to sleep earlier. Good luck with that! Even on quiet nights when all homework is finished, and everything is in place, my son struggles to drift off after his shower and reading time. It’s not laziness; it’s biology at work.
As kids approach puberty, their circadian rhythms naturally shift, causing them to feel sleepy much later. According to the nonprofit organization Start School Later, preteens and teens don’t feel tired until much later in the evening and often don’t wake up until after 8 a.m. This is a stark contrast to many school start times, which expect students like my son to be learning by 7:30 a.m. Any middle school teacher will tell you that most kids aren’t fully awake until 9 a.m.
The dangers of sleep deprivation are serious. Anyone who has experienced sleepless nights knows how it affects mood and productivity—grumpiness, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed become the norm. Kids are no different. Research indicates that teenagers need around nine hours of sleep each night, yet how many actually get that amount? The consequences of sleep deprivation are alarming: diminished academic performance, increased behavioral issues, higher rates of depression and anxiety, and an elevated risk of accidents, especially among newly licensed drivers.
So why aren’t more school districts adjusting their start times? This is the million-dollar question. If we acknowledge that sleep deprivation poses real health risks, why isn’t there a greater push for change? I’ve been actively working with my local school board to advocate for later start times, and I’ve encountered numerous obstacles. Some still perceive sleep as a luxury rather than a necessity. We often hear comments like, “In my time…” that dismiss the issue. Additionally, logistical hurdles like transportation can hinder progress. With limited buses available for multiple school runs, making changes often isn’t cost-effective.
However, if we prioritize our children’s health, we must strive for improvement. Shifting school start times could also lead to financial savings in other areas, such as reduced behavioral interventions. If the goal of education is to nurture healthy, productive citizens who excel academically, then it seems sensible to create an environment that supports that.
Regrettably, the changes I advocate may not benefit my son directly. The school board has taken two years just to discuss and prepare for a potential shift in start times, with hopes of testing new schedules in a few schools next year. But I believe this fight is worth it. Watching my son shuffle off to school each morning only reinforces the urgency of addressing this issue—not just for him, but for all kids. We can and must do better.
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Summary:
This article discusses the pressing issue of sleep deprivation among tweens and teens, highlighting the biological factors that contribute to their exhaustion. The author shares personal anecdotes and emphasizes the need for later school start times to support children’s health and academic success. Despite challenges in implementing changes, the fight for better sleep for our kids is deemed essential.