I’m focusing this week on my blog on Sleep. Before you get excited I’ve not discovered the elusive magical answer to a full night sleep nor am I an expert in helping children to go to sleep. But I am an expert and frequent ‘googler’ of “how to get my child to sleep”, an experienced person in the art of struggling to function with sleep deprivation and a frequent buyer of coffee and concealer.
I’ve experienced what I call the ‘floaty floor’ level of sleep deprivation (where literally the floor feels like it’s moving) and I’ve been the parent with her emergency can of coke and snack at toddler groups to help me function (and not faint).
Like many parents I’ve nursed two babies in the night through illness and teething. I’ve cuddled and sat up with my toddler during night terrors and eczema flare ups. I’ve managed to look after my toddler and newborn by myself with less than two hours sleep. And I’ve done the 5am get ups in the summer when my toddler has thought it was “morning time”.
My intention is not to complain or ‘boast’ about my lack of sleep, but to show others who’s baby/child doesn’t sleep through the night..that they are not alone.
I’ve tried various routines, strategies, soft toys and books. Some have worked, some haven’t. I’ve learnt that each child is different and what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for the other. I’ve also learnt that with time, some sleep challenges have gone, others evolved and new ones surfaced.
What I also know is, although I’ve not had it easy with sleep over the last 4 years with my young family- I’m lucky as sleep is improving as my children are getting older. This is something that I shouldn’t and will not take for granted. From discussions with parents of the children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) whom I’ve worked with, my eyes have been opened to the fact that for some parents sleep problems for their children can continue throughout childhood and beyond.
I’m not going to pretend to know what that’s like.
My aim this week as part of my ‘Sleep’ focus on my blog, is to show products on the market that have helped my family gain some extra sleep and feature what has worked for others: bringing experiences of other parents.
–Have a read of this guest post by ‘Sensational Learning with Penguin ‘ to find out her trials and errors with sleep with her autistic little boy.
– See what we thought to this teddy that claims to re-settle children back to sleep here..
We’d love to hear your experiences too. Do your children sleep well? What has worked for you? Tell us in the comments section below (I always reply!)
The SEN Resources Blog 
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