How to fix my sisters sleep schedule?

[Anonymous]

Remove any caffeinated drinks from her diet. The added caffeine is in very unusual places like fruit sodas for instance. Also chocolate etc. Then have her to wake up at 6 ish or something and let her watch TV some smart programs till school starts and then she might adjust being tired. Can take few days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, please take her to see a doctor. Melatonin is a hormone and should not be used more than a couple of days in a row. And it can be very finicky to use effectively, even for those couple of days.

I've struggled with insomnia on-and-off throughout my life. Contrary to conventional wisdom, for some people screens can actually be a helpful sleep tool. When my insomnia gets really bad, the most effective thing is for me to watch reruns of a TV show I am familiar with on low volume. I don't recommend this as a first resort, but I'm just throwing it out there because treatments for chronic sleep issues can run the gamut and don't always meet the "good sleep hygiene" definition.

You've implied that she's had some kind of traumatic experience, so seeing a doctor and a counselor seems to be in order regardless.

NP. I agree with this and would not even consider messing with a 13-yr-old's hormones. Go to the doctor.

[Anonymous]

She is old enough to be working on coping skills and self-talk for anxiety instead of waking you up.

I would not let her sleep in ever, until she is over this.

I might seek out a different therapist or seek out a specialist in whatever her background/issues are.

I'd put her in zoom sports and music classes to use and tire her brain and teach her centering. My kids are in Karate, yoga and music classes for example.

Good luck to everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here
She does have anxiety, her anxiety mainly revolves around being alone. She sees a therapist but pretty much just tells her that everything is fine, so not sure how productive it is. I agree with the poster who said she doesn’t know how to fall asleep. She is pretty active, my boys are actually harder to get outside than she is. She was playing a sport but that is over now. I will try and suggest more outside time for the whole family, as well as make her get up earlier. I tend to let her sleep as much as she wants on the weekend since I know her body needs it. I will also suggest the audio book, that might be batter compromise since she’d rather be watching tv.

Maybe try a new therapist. My son has been in therapy and it’s amazing how different the experience can be with different people. His first therapist was not a match. His second one worked for awhile but eventually he gave her the “everything is ok” also.

Also, do whatever you can do to increase exercise.

Have you tried doing some relaxation exercises with her? Would it helps when she wakes you up to go lie down on the floor in her room. She is pretty old for that, but if she fears being alone, it might help. Can you pay for a therapist appointment for you to talk to the therapist about tips for you? Got us, that was the beneficial part of therapy.