Any Experience Dealing with Teenagers Who Sleep ALL Day? Advice Needed!

Updated on April 05, 2008
K.P. asks from Santa Rosa, CA
6 answers

My almost 14 y.o. son is going through some sort of crisis. He is not going to school, staying up late and sleeping until 4pm every day. He has turned our house schedule upside down. He is clearly unhappy, but not necessarily depressed and in any case, refuses to go talk to somebody. I did some research on the internet and found that pushing his bedtime up by 3 hrs slowly will get him back on schedule, i.e. if he goes to sleep at 4am, then he should push it until 7am and then 8am, until finally he is going to sleep at a normal hour. Does anyone have any advice how to regulate his sleep? I would be most appreciative.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.V.

answers from Sacramento on

Not to sound fearful, or evoke unwarranted worry, but it sounds like there may be a possibility that he may be doing drugs. A non-confrontational way to work through what you've written about would be to talk to him and tell him that you'd like to take him to the doctor for a general physical (because his sleep patterns have changed so drastically, and because he doesn't seem to be acting like himself). Explain that you are concerned about his health, and want to make sure that everything is okay. When you make the appointment for him, tell the doctor your concerns, and ask the doctor if there is a way his office could do a blood test to screen for possible drug use. If your son is taking drugs, he will probably strongly resist going to see a doctor, so be mentally prepared for this.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.L.

answers from Fresno on

You can also have a truancy (police) officer come to your office and pick up your son and take him to school. It sounds like you can not force your kid to school and by not going is against the law at his age. He defintely needs counseling (maybe depression) and possibly a drug test. Why does he stay up so late? What is he doing. Are you unable to wake him up in the morning? Most kids don't want to get up in the morning, but they have to be forced. Cold Water, lights on etc...

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from San Francisco on

You pegged it in your first sentence.
Sleeping is just the end result.
If he is unwilling to open up to you, you need to find out what is going on. Kids don't make this type of change without reason.
Search his room/things. You'll find the answer.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.M.

answers from Sacramento on

K.
I have found that turning off the tv helps a lot. It overstimulates the brain, and makes it harder to fall asleep. Try reading instead, especially for the last half hour before bedtime. Have you asked him if he wants to talk to a counselor? Did he have a girlfriend that broke up with him. I have one that won't talk, and two that don't have that problem. The one that won't talk drives me up the wall, because she will just stand there,and cry, but not say anything. It can be so frusterating. Just do not yell, walk away if you have to, but do not yell. That was the mistake I made with the oldest, and I deeply regret
it.
W.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from San Francisco on

K.,
Take him to the Dr. as soon as possible. Does he have a fever or complained of a sore throat lately? My 12 year old started sleeping alot during the day, fell asleep in class and was a real grump, I didn't take her to the doctor until she was complaining of major side pain and found out that she had Mono, with an enlarged spleen (fairly rare to have the enlarged spleen). They can do a simple blood test to rule out mono, if your dr doesn't think that is it he can also do a drug test. Good luck
Amanda

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.G.

answers from San Francisco on

It's a clear sign that something is going on with him and it's likely quite serious. There is the possibility that he is doing drugs. I would agree with the other post, it's time to check his room and call your peditrician let him/her know what's going on. Also call the school counselor to let them know what's going on and see what recommendations they might have. If it is drugs, seek the assistance of a professional
Good luck,
L.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches