Sleepless in America

I have been reading this great book loaned to me by a friend about getting kids to sleep at night. Babies need 14-16 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. Toddlers need no less than 13 hours of sleep daily and pre-schoolers need no less than 12 hours of sleep daily. The ramifications of not getting enough sleep lead to tantrums, whining, and being naughty. A school-age child needs 10 hours or more of sleep and an adolescent should have no less than 9.25 hours of sleep. Not that far off from the average adult that should be getting 8 or more hours of sleep.
All of the hours of sleep listed above are the minimum needed, kids can of course get more if need be.
Sleep routine was vital to the success of getting enough sleep. All sleep routines start in the morning. Having a regular wake time and the day beginning the same everyday. I like 7:30 personally, maybe 7:00 in the summer for gardening. At any rate, since the time begins the day, then meals and activities fall into place. Say dinner tends to fall between 5:30 and 6:00, then by 7:30 winding begins, dimming lights, shutting off t.v., brushing teeth and reading stories. Now, I work a few nights a week, it is always the same, that my husband doesn't start the routine early enough. I figure it's okay as long as everything falls within a half-hour or so. Baby should be asleep by 9:00, awake by 7:30 and napping three hours in the afternoon. The only way to lessen the nap time is to have her in bed earlier, by 8:00 p.m. This is a struggle for us, but I am identifying it so we can work on it more. The only way my little one sleeps three hours in the afternoon is if I sleep with her. Which isn't against any rules so far as the book goes. Not that would only follow one book anyway, it all comes down to what works for you. That aside I have found the info to be very helpful. Sleepless in America by Mary Sheedy Krucinka has given me insight to my little ones behavior. Every little bit helps me learn to be a better Mom.