How much do your teens sleep?

Dawn - posted on 04/13/2013

I have a 15 year old son who just in the last week has me really worried. All of a sudden he started coming home from school at 2:30 falling asleep I have to force him awake for dinner he goes back to sleep after dinner for a bit then hes up a few hours and goes to sleep by 10-10:30 for the entire night till 7am. He just started doing this I have made him a Dr's appointment to check iron, he has no Mono symptoms, I have never seen him like this he is like a zombie, not overly responsive when anyone talks to him. I am hoping its growth spurt or he's battling an illness and is going to come out of it. After reading some of your comments I am thinking perhaps he is just having a big growth spurt right now.

Suzanne - posted on 02/18/2009

My dauther is 15 yrs old, go to school all week get up early every day all week so WATHCH OUT on weekend sleep till 12 after noon but went to bed late

Renee - posted on 02/18/2009

Thanks for that Pam, maybe I'll back off then.

Pam - posted on 02/18/2009

My 15 year old son was doing the same thing, but then realized over the past month that he had been sleeping so much ( up to 14 hours a night), he had grown almost 4 inches. Over the past 6 months, he has grown 8 inches. Took him to the doctor and he tested him for mono and then decided it was just hormones kicking in. He now has stretch marks all over his shoulders and knees, because he grew so fast. The doctor told me at this age, its kind of like when they are babies, their bodies require much more sleep, and to just let him do it.

Renee - posted on 02/18/2009

Quoting Katherine:

My 16 yr old Son appears to sleep a lot, but it is mostly because he sleeps when everyone else is awake, and is up while we are sleeping!

This is exactly what my daughter does!  I don't have her in  any extra things right now (sports, etc.).  She will start cheerleading again in May, then she won't have the opportunity to sleep all afternoon and stay up all night.  I've tried keeping her awake, but how do you do that? 

Lori - posted on 02/12/2009

Thanks everyone for the input of your teens and sleep. My 2 do take vitamins several times a week. l think they are pretty healthy and active, so will continue to let them be, maybe in a year the oldest one will grow out of it. Have a great day!

Kim - posted on 02/10/2009

I have 2 teenage boys and they both sleep about 9 hour + a night

Pati - posted on 02/10/2009

They need more sleep, my daughter takes a nap every chance she gets ans she is 17.

Lori - posted on 02/10/2009

My girls are up at 5am every weekday. Unless they're sick, they rarely nap in the afternoon. My older girl (17) needs little sleep - she usually doesn't get to bed until after 11pm on weekdays, and sometimes not til 2am on weekends. When she doesn't have to work on the weekends, she'll sleep in until noon or after. I just let her decide how much rest she needs and how much activity and stress she can handle. Other daughter is 14, and still requires ALOT of sleep - up at 5am weekdays, but usually in bed by 9pm. Doesn't sleep TOO late on weekends - usually up by 10am.



It was suggested to me by a physician friend that teens often sleep more when they are a) growing and b) in alot of hormonal turmoil. My 17 yr old stopped growing two years ago and that's when her sleep patterns changed and she stopped requiring so much. Just food for thought.

Tricia - posted on 02/10/2009

too much sleep! Give them some vitamins. Boys tend to start changing at this point, but that is way too much. do they tend to stay up later? Also have them tested and check all their blood levels to make sure everything is in balance if it continues.

Patricia - posted on 02/10/2009

My 16 year old son naps almost every day after school. He gets up very early though, so I don't think it's a problem.

Tracy - posted on 02/10/2009

I thought i was the only mum that had a teen that slept too much, my 15 year old is awake all night and sleeps most of the day even taking the internet off her wont make her sleep.

Karen - posted on 02/10/2009

i have the opposite problem my daughter won't sleep she stays up in her bedroom all night just festering on things, impossible to get to school on time, i have 5 children chelsea is my eldest hope there not all gonna be the same!!

Carol - posted on 02/09/2009

I had a school counsler tell me that teens need even more sleep than toddlers. At this time in their life their bodies are growing more now, and for a longer period of time than their body and brains have since they were a toddler. The study the counsler quoted was teens need between 12-14 hours a day!

It is all such a balancing act isn't it! How do you fit school and all their commitments in with 14 hours of sleep a day?

I say...no-one else knows your child as well as you. If they are healthy, I wouldn't worry myself.

Katherine - posted on 02/09/2009

The measure would be to see if they have trouble sleeping at night. If not, then let them nap. Apparently growing teens need more sleep than we would think (some high schools are even starting later to accommodate!). Of course, if they're not getting homework done or missing events, that's another story. That's a pretty early morning for a teenager!

Shelly - posted on 02/08/2009

oops missed the R

Shelly - posted on 02/08/2009

Ae they ever really awake????

Katherine - posted on 02/08/2009

My 16 yr old Son appears to sleep a lot, but it is mostly because he sleeps when everyone else is awake, and is up while we are sleeping!