Growing Up

5 Back-to-School Habits Kids Should Break

Now that school's back in full swing and you've set up schedules and parameters, the kids may be falling into some patterns that need adjusting. We've zoned in on five common bad habits and asked experts for advice. From tackling unhealthy snacking to hygiene issues to tech obsession, we've got solutions for you.

Edited by Maricar Santos

Cheating Sleep

Habit: Your child needs essential shut-eye now that he's back in school, but he still wants to follow summer hours. He ends up staying up too late, has trouble getting up on time and is too tired to think straight in class.

Solution: Children between ages 2 and 9 need an average of 11 to 11.5 hours of sleep each night, according to licensed family therapist Kim West, AKA “The Sleep Lady.” To ensure your child gets enough sleep most of the time, try to determine the amount of sleep your child needs to function well, then set—and be consistent about—an appropriate bedtime. Lights out, as well as dinner and bathing, should occur at roughly the same time every day—even on weekends. A reasonable activity schedule is key to achieving this. “Make sure you aren’t overscheduling your children with afterschool and weekend commitments," says West. "School-aged children need quiet time to process their day.”