BBBSA President & CEO, Artis Stevens, joins The Odd Couple Chris Broussard and Rob Parker 2/11/22

This article shows us some of the amazing things our women have done throughout recent history that they have not been given proper credit for. Men, our women are incredibly strong, and will only make us stronger!

Playtime is being massively jeopardized throughout the country and very little is being done to reinstate the once-found option of free-play to children. I believe this is because parents have begun to think of academics as being more important and playtime as a mere distraction in the road to better grades. But the truth is, the two go hand in hand, and cutting down one won’t benefit the other at all. Find out how.

Is your teenage son or daughter a night owl? Does he or she turn into an energetic Insomniac at bedtime? Does sleep elude your teen until 11:00 p.m. or later? These are classic symptoms of Sleep Deprivation and it is a wide-spread condition among teenagers. Here are seven facts parents should be aware of about the consequences of teenagers not getting enough sleep.

Teenagers frequently suffer from chronic “Sleeplessness.” There are two major biological reasons for this and both are related to puberty. First, when teens reach puberty, their sleep patterns change and they do not get sleepy until late at night. Second, a teenager’s body secretes Melatonin, the hormone that makes us feel sleepy, at least two hours later than other age groups. Parents should be aware of these biological shifts because they impact virtually everything in a teenager’s life.

Everybody has an Internal Body Clock that determines when they want to sleep or be awake. However, the body clock of teenagers is different from any other age group. This is why their sleep pattern is different. When parents know and understand this fact, they can educate and guide their teen-children in how to develop good sleep habits and end the struggle with their Internal Body Clock.

Teenagers who do not get enough “shut-eye” eventually suffer health consequences such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, severe moodiness or aggressiveness. Failing to get 40-winks can also contribute to acne, pimples and other embarrassing skin problems. Sleep is often the best preventive medicine for what ails a sleep deprived teenager.

Let’s face it, the sleep habits of teenagers seem weird to their parents. That’s because teens prefer getting their 40-winks between mid-night and mid-morning of the following day. Adults would find this daily routine totally unsustainable. Young children would be bored silly if parents made them stay in bed all morning. Teenagers, however, are happy campers when Mom and Dad let them “sleep-in” until noon on weekends.

To function at their academic best during the day, teen students need 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep each night. Academic potential is undermined by inadequate sleep. The academic success of our teen-children depends on parents making sure their sons and daughters get the sleep they need. The learning process is a “continuum” that includes students’ time awake in the classroom and their time asleep in their beds. Certain vital brain functions, including those associated with the learning process, are performed while students are asleep.

The highest motor vehicle crash rates in the United States are caused by teenagers. However, studies show that teens would have fewer accidents if they got adequate sleep every night. All drivers need clear thinking and quick reflexes. Inadequate sleep diminishes these abilities in all drivers, but especially in teenagers who have less experience behind the wheel.

Every teacher and parent has surely said how important doing your homework is. Making sure that the homework that is being assigned is appropriate and tailored to the child’s grade and age helps them to gain the most from the material possible.

Helping Children Grow Up into Healthy Adults Guys! Trust Your Women! This article shows us some of the amazing things our women have done throughout recent history that they have not been given proper credit for. Men, our women are incredibly strong, and will only make us stronger! Give Play Back to Children Playtime is…