As an adult, you may be stressed, and that can lead to insomnia. Kids, too, can lose sleep, but they don't chalk it up to the busy season at work or paying bills. It's harder for little ones to understand why they're not sleeping and to cope with getting less than enough rest.
Parents must understand that the line between reality and imagination is blurred with kids, so when they wake up from a bad dream those lingering feelings of fear may keep them up at night. Learn about dealing with nightmares so you can teach your little ones how to handle those scary monsters in their sleep.
It's also important to note that children have different sleep needs from adults. Each age range has its own recommended sleep guidelines, like these ones for kids ages 4-6. While your kids will have their own individual requirements for rest, they should still aim for the age-appropriate sleep times.
Another major question many parents face is how to get their kids out of their bed. Your little ones may have nightmares and run to your room to snuggle in the night, or perhaps they've just never spent a night in their own beds. How old is too old to co-sleep? This is a choice many families have to make, but it's helpful to know what factors to consider when deciding if your children should continue sleeping in your bed or if they should make their way to their own little nighttime havens down the hall.