Your 5-year-old now
While it may seem like your 5-year-old never stops, stop he eventually must — and ideally for at least ten to 12 hours. That’s the amount of shuteye the average 5-year-old needs.
It’s true that some people, including some children, seem to require less sleep than others. But it’s generally wise to err on the side of ensuring plenty of zz’s. If a 5-year-old doesn’t sleep long enough, he may be cranky or have trouble staying focused during the daytime.
Even though your child seems like a “big kid” compared to just a year ago, he needs a bedtime routine now as much as ever. Familiar rituals soothe and relax your child and prepare him for sleep.
It will help to remove any electronics from his bedroom, as well. Kids who are plugged in have a harder time falling and staying asleep. (Not to mention a litany of other problems, including a higher risk of obesity.)
Your life now
Five marks the beginning of the school years for most children. It’s easy to get drawn into a busy whirl of school, play, and activities. But take time for one throwback: updating his baby book or website.
Some parents write an annual letter to their child, to be opened on his eighteenth birthday. In it, you could jot down amazing highlights of the previous year, observations about personality and character, and your hopes for the future. If you didn’t start doing this from birth, now’s a great time to start.
