My oldest son almost jumps out of bed in the morning and he passes out when his head hits the pillow at 7:30 PM bedtime. He has always been a 12-hour sleeper. Because of this, getting ready for school in the AM is a breeze and bedtime is never an issue. All parents know that if you have one child who is this easy, you are due to have another who is the polar opposite. 
If Sam could say up until midnight, he would. If his school day could start around 3PM that would be just perfect. Sadly, that is not the world we live in so he (and I) are left to deal with some very rough mornings and even bumpier nights. He does not want breakfast because it is too early. When I do get him to eat, it is two bites. I can get a big glass of milk in him so I tell myself he is ready for his day. :)He manages to get through school, but once we are home, in the late afternoon, is when he really wakes up.
I am a morning person like my oldest Jake. I want to get up, get moving and get some things done. Sam takes after my husband. The difference is, at 5, Sam is still a growing boy and he can’t afford a bedtime of 11PM. Getting him to understand that is the hard part. Both boys go to bed at 7:30. Jake is in dreamland by 7:35, but we often hear Sam chatting away to himself until 8:30 or 9.
I can’t force him to fall asleep, but I do know my job as a mom is to get him into that bed and tell him why his sleep is so important. I know I cannot let him come out and watch TV or push us to let him stay up “just a little more.” I know he and I will butt heads on this one as long as he lives under our roof. I will be pushing him to get ready in the AM so we aren’t late and he will be whining and saying how much he hates it. I also know I am doing the right thing and this is all just payback for my great sleeper Jake 
Does anyone else have bedtime or morning issues? What do you do to combat them and ease the stress they cause?
Tags: early, kelly gump, night, onslow memorial hospital, Sleep
