In this week's Sept. 9 issue of U.S. News, an article titled Up Too Late (now only available online for purchase) features Bugs Peterschmidt, Bill Doherty, and Putting Family First.
I think we all recognize how lack of sleep or quiet time affects our personalities, performance, and health. Now that school has started and my kids are getting up much earlier, we have reclaimed our bedtime routines in an attempt at staying a healthy family. Here's a quote from the article:
The Peterschmidts started "unplugged summers"–no television or computers after dinner. During the school year, their not-so-much-action plan means Max and Betsy's activities are kept to a minimum. Dinner is at 6:15 p.m. sharp, with candlelight and without phone calls. The kids wash the dishes after the meal while their parents read to them. "My kids are so much happier," says Peterschmidt, a member of Putting Family First, a grass-roots group in Minnesota started by Doherty, the family therapist, that emphasizes family time. Max, now a thoughtful–and well-rested–14-year-old, backs his mother up. "It's nice to actually be able to sit down and not do anything for a little bit."