Elizabeth KP had a question about sleepy teens ...
Your morning sounds great! But, do you have any hints for getting a homeschool 16 year old boy UP in the morning? Don't suggest a great breakfast -- he doesn't want any breakfast I offer! That doesn't work! Anyone have a suggestion for me? He would sleep til 9:00 or 9:30 if left to his own clock. (In fact, he has quite a few times recently, even though I come to his room several times to "suggest" he get up (at which time he acts all offended!!). Help!!
Now, I can only answer in regards to my own homeschooled 16 year old boy - who, by the way, just came out to the kitchen at 8 a.m. - because, as with anything, all kids are different. But I'm pretty sure it's a biological fact that teenagers need more sleep than the rest of us - so I try to allow Bookworm a little wiggle room when it comes to the morning routine. That said, I have never allowed my kids to sleep in past school hours, except for when they were sick ... but they've always been early(ish) risers, so that hasn't been much of a problem.
First of all, we insist on a regular bedtime for all the boys. Earlybird konks out pretty early - usually between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Then we allow the older two to watch something on TV - either a recorded television show or part of a movie. By 9 p.m. they're sent off to bed, to read for a while, and then Bill goes down to lead prayers. Crackerjack usually fades fast after that, but Bookworm is allowed to stay up and read by book-light for a bit. (The older two share a bedroom.) We leave it to him to judge when lights-out should be ... and I just asked him to clarify, and he said he usually falls asleep around 10.
In the mornings, I first open the boys' bedroom door around 7 a.m. I quietly enter the room - turn off their fan, open the blinds and crack the window open (wide on nice days, just a bit on cold ones). Then I quietly walk back out. I don't ask them to get up at this point. I try to let them just wake on their own.
If it gets past 7:30 I go back in the room and "remind" the boys it's time to get up. And if it gets close to 8 (as it did today) I go back in again and turn on the (bright) overhead light.
I think what gets Bookworm out of bed in the morning is knowing that if he wants to have time to do the things he wants to do - check his email, play a video game, read the funnies, etc. - he knows the earlier he gets up the bigger this window of time will be. I sometimes remind the boys of that when I'm waking them up. ("If you want to have time on the computer, you have to get up now - otherwise you'll just have time to eat and wash up before starting lessons.")
So I think it's a combination of getting Bookworm to sleep at a reasonable hour (by 10 p.m.) and then waking him ahead of the time he needs to get up. Giving warnings as needed ... and allowing him to manage his morning "free time" by deciding just how quickly he'll get out of bed.
I have no idea if any of this will be of any use to you, Elizabeth, but that's how we do things here. You mention your son doesn't like to hear your "suggestions" and I think at this age it's often a tricky balance between directing/disciplining our kids and letting them take responsibility for their actions. I hope some of my readers chime in with what works for them ... I know this is a common issue with families of teens, both homeschooled and not.
Oh, and speaking of teens, here's a wonderful article about homeschoolers and college: "Homeschooled Students Well-Prepared for College, Study Finds." That's great to hear, isn't it? We knew this of course ... it's just nice to know everyone else is realizing it! :)
Well, my friends, it's a busy morning for us, so I'd best wrap this up. If you have any thoughts and/or strategies on teens and the morning routine, please do share them in the comments below!
I will see you all again very soon ...
(And p.s. It sounds like the "beauty products post" is of interest to some readers, so I'll put that together for tomorrow. See you then ... if not before!)
