With the start of school, parents everywhere are struggling to get their kids back on an earlier schedule after a summer of free rein. And a certain chart that has gone viral isn't helping to make them feel less anxious about it. Based on your child's age, it tells you when you should put them to sleep so they get enough rest for the next day -- and a lot of parents are pretty surprised at how early the bedtimes are.
Stacy Karlsen, an educator from Wilson Elementary in Kenosha, Wisconson, posted the chart on August 28 because she thought it would be helpful to parents with children at her school.
Since then, it's been shared more than 380,000 times. Doctors recommend that children ages 3 to 6 need about 10-12 hours of sleep each day. And 7- to 12-year-olds do best with 10 or 11 hours. Why? Not getting enough shut-eye can lead to weight gain, as well as taking a toll on their physical, emotional, and social health. Pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu recommends creating a nightly routine that helps kids wind down, like the "4 B's: bathing, brushing teeth, books, and bedtime." (Women's Health)