Sleepyhead

Another life change this year is becoming a single father. For reasons I will not disclose at this time, my daughter decided to move in with me this summer. Big responsibility for me but I am up for the challenge. And every day is a challenge with a teenage girl, let me tell you. But the biggest challenge thus far has been getting her up in the morning for school.

She basically warned me that mornings are not easy for her. I don't remember having to be told every five minutes for an hour to wake up, get up, get ready for school. Maybe my almost 40 year old mind is starting to fall into that 'parents just don't understand' amnesia mode. When school started this September, we agreed on a set time for bedtime where she would read quietly in order for her to fall asleep. She then told me at what time to wake her up with enough time to 'wake up' before preparing for the day. Even with my mom's trick of only telling her twice to get up and therefore letting her be late for school, things have not improved in the mornings. Until I get a note attached to one of her tests I must sign and send back to her teacher.

The note attached to her test indicated that this teacher felt my daughter was not getting enough sleep. When I asked my daughter she explained that she had fallen asleep once or twice in this class. Okay, time to change things up, one hour earlier bedtime. This is what I like to call parenting by 'trial and error'. Obviously we both underestimated a few things here. I underestimated the onset of slumber once she is in bed, apparently it takes about an hour. She underestimated the teacher informing me of her first period naps AND my ability to be totally annoying in the mornings. Wake up sleepyhead!