Sleepy Teens

A recent article on USNews.Com discussed how sleep effects teens behaviors. Based on a new Centers for Disease Control study, teens who sleep less are more likely to lead "risky lives." The study found "teens ages 14 to 18 who get fewer than eight hours of sleep on school nights (70 % of US high school students) may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors" including using drugs, drink alcohol, cigarette use, as well as an increase in depression.

The study's lead author, Lela McKnight-Eily, PhD, states that "changes in the brain's chemistry that occurs during puberty causes the body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, to be knocked off track, causing irregular sleep patterns in many teens." Therefore, teens want to stay up late, however, it is the parents responsibility to make clear expectations regarding evening routines and curfews. One of the biggest struggles in today's society is the difficulty parents have setting boundaries with teens around the use of electronics ie: television, cell phones, computers, etc. Teens stay awake for hours surfing the internet instead of getting the rest the body needs. Dr. McKnight-Eily says "that being up late surfing the Internet or watching TV when trying to fall asleep can cause restless nights."

It is essential to help keep children healthy including ensuring they are getting enough sleep. Parents need to set limits at home including setting a time when electronics are shut down so teens the sleep their bodies need.

Great Book for Parents

Spring Ridge Academy will be attending the IECA (Independent Educational Consultant Association) conference on November 9-12, 2012 in Dallas, Texas. We are very excited that Leonard Sax, MD, PhD, the author of, Girls on The Edge, will be speaking at the conference. Jeannie Courtney, CEO/Founder of SRA has been recommending this book to all parents at SRA (and parents she meets at the grocery store.) I have heard her say, "this is a must read." We look forward to hearing Dr. Sax speak at the conference.

Girls On The Edge is a groundbreaking book taking a look at young women in America. In the book, Dr. Sax addresses the four factors that are threatening the mental and physical health of young women today: a culture that sexualizes young girls; the “cyberbubble” of social networking and electronic communication; obsessive behaviors, including eating disorders; and environmental toxins that interfere with the endocrine system and lead to early-onset puberty. You can watch Dr. Sax talk about Girls On The Edge in this interview.

For more information on Dr. Sax or to order the book go to his web site.

Teens and Driving

The number of teens driving while talking on a cell phone or texting is very scary. A USA Today article stated, “Nearly nine in 10 teenage drivers have engaged in distracted-driving behaviors such as texting or talking on a cellphone although most of them know that their actions increase their risk of crashing, a new survey finds.” These are frightening statistics.

It is imperative to set boundaries around driving. MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-aged Kids, an organization dedicated to educating both parents and children about the issues facing our youth today) created a Parent/Teen Driving Contract. It is the parents responsibility to clearly state safe driving expectations. The contract addresses texting and talking on a cell phone, but also addresses taking care of the car, following traffic laws, emotions (driving while angry), as well as other important safety concerns. An important statement in the MASK Driving Contract states, driving “is also a privilege granted to me by my parents, who are under no obligation to do so, and who may withdraw the privilege at any time.” To download the Parent/Teen Driving Contract, visit the MASK web site.