Problems Sleeping - Round Rock,TX

You can get your son to fall asleep faster by starting earlier. 9 is WAY too late for a 9 yo. We start my almost-9yo son at 7:30 on his most tired days, and 8 pm on some days. In both cases, there's about 20 minutes of getting ready for bed (turtle, teeth, toilet) then a little bit of being read to, then reading on his own, and we come back by 8:30 to have him turn out the light.

Try getting a sound machine in your room to drown out the booming TV (also ask him to turn it down)-- white noise can be very soothing. Consider one for your son as well.

No need to give up activities. Of course, you would want to keep your son busy and involved.

You can't make hubby go to bed early. My husband goes to bed late, needs a few hours sleep, and I get up early for all the kid things.
If my husband tried to make me stay up late (and I can't) I would be mad!
But we have had discussions about the different schedules and consideration for all the family members. I get up early and am quiet. He stays up late and if the TV is too loud, I tell him to turn it down. If he is up late, I expect him to be quiet, too.

Is this too obvious...? But I was going to say more sex might beget more sleep! I know my husband usually passes right out regardless of what else I had in mind! I know it might be tricky if your 9 y/o is still awake, but it's worth a try! Other than that, are you guys getting enough exercise? Maybe after dinner you can all take a brisk walk to help calm you down and wear you out. Also, you might consider limiting TV and electronics for your son after dinner so that he isn't becoming over stimulated, especially with ADHD. You could have game time, reading time, craft time...something that isn't electronic.

My niece also takes ADHD meds and also sometimes takes melatonin to help her sleep. I know that melatonin can be good and bad, so you'll have to ask your doctor and/or pharmacist before you give it to him, but it's worth a question for sure.

As far as the nap, I think it would help you function better if you're that tired, but it probably isn't going to help you get to sleep any earlier if you're napping every day either! Good luck! My husband snores too and I hate it!!

First, have you asked your husband to turn down the TV? For your son, start his bedtime routine earlier. This requires discipline and some sacrifices (cutting out activities that require him to be out late, or leaving activities early), but getting enough sleep is more important. Kate B's suggestion for a sound machine is excellent - or you can play a classical music CD, or turn on a fan. For your husband, I'm confident you can think of a way to lure him bed earlier :) However, since he snores, do you really want him to go to sleep before you? Maybe you can ask him to lie down with you until you fall asleep, then he can resume his TV watching or whatever. For you, do you have a regular bedtime routine? An hour before you want to fall asleep, start a relaxing routine to get your body and mind to wind down. Personally, I usually feel better if I get continuous sleep, rather than try to make up for less sleep with a nap. Happy sleeping!

Eeek, I don't know.....but I would start with telling hubby if he's going to stay up late watching TV, he needs to do son in the living room or basement or something so that you can get your needed rest. Esp if you're the one up in the morning with your child. Also, if this were me, I would make hubby get up with me! You're not a single mom and maybe after getting up so early, he would start wanting to get to bed earlier. No way would I wake up earlier than my hubby every day to take care of the house and kids and elt him sleep in. It's his own darn fault for staying up late and hey, I'm not a single mom! Every once in awhile, we allow each other a sleep in morning but for the most part, we're a family and that family time is important to us.

Could it be that the TV is keeping your son awake too? In our house, when the TV is on, everyone can hear it! We have a rule that there is no TV/video or computer games past 3pm (yes, that means there is none of that at all for our son who is in school all week, he gets his time on the weekend only when his sister is napping).
I am a total supporter of naps, I LOVE naps... but no, it is NOT the same as getting a whole night of sleep. So take your naps, but keep your goal in mind of getting at least 8 solid hours every night.
I agree with the other ladies on here, lure your husband to bed and you *know* as soon as he's done he'll be asleep ;)
I would move bedtime up to at least 8pm, we start our routine at 6:30 (my kids are 6 1/2 and 3 years old) - this includes bath, books with a snack,allergy meds, brush teeth, potty, scratch backs with lights out. Many times with our 6yr old he starts talking during back scratching time and all these worries, or exciting thoughts come out - I try to leave time to let him talk and let myself take the time to respond without worrying that he's missing out on important sleep. Maybe see if your son has things he wants to talk about after the lights are out - it seems that kids are just too busy during the day to take the time to sit and chat and all of a sudden at bedtime it all comes out.
You could also try a "sleep" CD, these are made with special combinations of music and sounds (I found ours at Target in the endcap of the music section) - I put this CD in for my son and I fall asleep sitting on the floor!
I have no idea how the ADHD or meds for it come into play here, that maybe something to discuss with his pediatrician?

You can't. My 11yo just doesn't need as much sleep as his brothers. Never has.
You son is probably just fine, though the lack of sleep may be contributing to the ADHD. My Son has ADHD and is non medicated, so I can't tell you if meds help or hurt the sleep cycle.

Sorry

Go to bed earlier with an eye mask and ear plugs. Get the man a headset for the TV so he's the only one hearing it. (That may be part of your son's issues too, if it can be heard in his room.
Put your son to bed an hour or so earlier so he gets more sleep. At his age he needs a lot more sleep than 6 1/2 hours! It sounds like you're doing all the right stuff for him, and it isn't working for you. Talk to his doctor about changing his meds and any other advice he might have for you on this. He'll function a lot better if he can get more sleep.
DO NOT feel guilty about napping! Naps are excellent for grownups, and clearly you need them on your current schedule.
Good luck!

This only addresses one part of your problem: They make headphones for TV's. Your husband could wear them for his night time watching, allowing you and your son to get to sleep. I'm guessing that having the TV on is part of what is keeping him awake.

What about activities? Wearing him out with some vigorous activity, such as running/biking/brisk hiking. Is he involved in sports? That always seems to do the trick with my son.