For several reasons, send your kids to bed

Are you kids bouncing off the walls? In a way, we all are, but one thing tops the list to get it back under control -- a regular sleep schedule.

Emily Sánchez’s said her kids were good sleepers, until the coronavirus pandemic.

“I was putting them to sleep between 9, 10, 11 o’clock at night and in the morning, they were exhausted again," said Sanchez. "So, it was really hard for them, and for me, to get everything settled and to have a regular sleep time like we had before."

The medical journal Pediatrics says sleep-deprived children are at risk of increased weight and developing Type 2 diabetes.

“Getting enough sleep is so important. Along with exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet, it can help manage stress and reduce anxiety, and it may help maintain a strong immune system, which is really important right now,” said Kevin Loria, Consumer Reports’ health editor.

The entire household benefits from a sleep routine.

Regular physical activity is linked to better sleep at night, so be sure to get the kids outside during the day. It can boost the effect of sleep hormones such as melatonin, especially when it’s done in bright daylight in the morning.

At night, limit screen time, since the blue light can slow the production of natural sleep hormones.

Experts say the pandemic may have a big impact on emotional and social development in children, which is another factor that can affect their quality of sleep.

Reach out to your child’s pediatrician with any concerns.