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Mark Bertin, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
New York Medical College
Director, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
Westchester Institute for Human Development
Private Practice in Developmental Pediatrics
Pleasantville, New York

Author of: The Family ADHD Solution: A Scientific Approach to Maximizing Your Child’s Attention and Minimizing Parental Stress (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011)

Almost all parents have trouble getting their young children to bed at some point. This often means the parents themselves do not get adequate sleep. Dr. Bertin explains good sleep hygiene and the importance of following a bedtime routine. He suggests specific calming activities to initiate near bedtime as well as activities to avoid. The sleep-wake cycle may take time to develop in children, particularly in those with disabilities. Yet, getting enough sleep is extremely important for children because it has a direct impact on their mental and physical development. Parents need sleep, too—on average 7 to 8 hours. Work skills, such as the ability to concentrate, are impaired when parents fail to get adequate sleep. A good sleep routine should become a habit for the entire family while children are still young.