Simple as it may seem, there are few things more vital to overall health and wellness than a proper sleep diet—that goes for kids and grown-ups. Over at Keeping Her Cool, Colleen is talking about the importance of sleep, and she notes some of the ways our culture militates against healthy patterns of sleep and rest.

Next week we’ll be going into more depth on the concept of sleep, especially as it pertains to newborns, but for today you can get started with a few resources on lack of sleep. Sleep disorders in children are a lot more common than many realize and the result of a child’s sleep deprivation will often manifest very differently than in an adult. While adults are sluggish, cranky, and distracted, children can turn hyperactive. You can see how this might even lead to misdiagnosis of the ubiquitous ADHD, or other behavioral and cognitive concerns.

If your under-six kids are getting those sweet eleven or more hours of sleep a day, consider yourself blessed! As they get older those sleep needs will taper off a little, but even through adolescence they’ll need at least nine hours per night. This is essential for proper development and mental functioning, not to mention a disposition you can live with.

Learn more about the importance of sleep and some common sleep disorders in children:

To find out how much sleep is normal for the age of your child, visit the website of the National Sleep Foundation.

To learn more about sleep disorders in children, click HERE.

Suffering from sleep deprivation or insomnia your self? Sleep isn’t only vital for babies and children. If you live in Minnesota, check out the Minnesota Sleep Institute.

And if you’re a sleep deprived parent who just can’t get those little ones to settle down, you’re not alone. Here’s a little comic relief. If profanity bothers you, then skip it.  You’ve been forewarned. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQZmU2GnUdA

How do you make sleep a priority in your family?