Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Elementary School Sleep Issues?

"Normal" gifted sleep is a hard thing to judge... DS~7 has been trending downwards in sleep, right now it is 9 hours. I was closer to 7.5 hours when I was 8 and was down to 5 by high school, but it was a steady trend.

Both DS and myself, suffer the "brain won't shut off" for sleep. He needs music, I tend to have a documentary on. Reading doesn't work for me as it just gets the brain reengaged. If it is his brain won't shut-down, maybe some way for him to focus his attention away from his thoughts like music would help.

The number one way we gauge if DS is "getting enough sleep" is whether he wakes up on his own in the morning.

I have no trouble falling asleep, but I only need about 5 hours. Anything more leaves me with a headache. (I can't meditate though - omg - talk about brain not shutting off...)

My DD10 and DS8 get anywhere from 7-9 hours, depending on how late they stay up to read or how early they wake up. Their in-class performance varies, although in a recent survey of their teachers I was told that they're not consistently sleepy (only occasionally). Mind you I give them protein shakes in their lunch which I think helps (I sometimes think DD has ADHD like her brother, so I use the recommendations for ADHD on both of them). FYI, I use whey isolate, and I'm careful about the amount - too much can be hard on kidneys so you need to monitor protein intake carefully if you supplement.

Thank you all again. I already put many of your thoughts into action over the weekend especially with regard to the types of food he's eating for a late night snack.

Thank you thank you!!