It’s amusing to listen to parents of young kids reminisce about the days when their little ones would leap out of bed at the crack of dawn. They often yearn for the time when their kids are older and will hopefully sleep in. I can relate to that longing—but I always caution them not to rush it. After all, adorable toddlers in the early morning hours are far preferable to moody teenage night owls.
When my boys were younger, they were early risers too, but thankfully, they didn’t bounce off the walls first thing—something I appreciated, especially since I often burned the midnight oil working on freelance projects. Still, 6 a.m. was a daunting hour. To make mornings a little easier, I resorted to beloved TV shows like Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, and Arthur. My mother-in-law would send over DVDs of SpongeBob SquarePants and Yu-Gi-Oh!, which I initially vowed to avoid. Yet, there I was, laughing alongside my boys, unable to resist the charm of those shows. And on the rare occasions they slept in, I’d find myself tiptoeing into their rooms, anxious to ensure they were alright.
Fast forward a few years, and those boys transformed into teenagers, embracing the art of sleeping in. However, one part of our routine remained unchanged: my ritual of checking to see if they were still breathing. Now, I’ve acquired a wealth of experience in the fine art of waking a sleeping teenager. Here’s what I’ve gathered:
Avoid These Mistakes:
- Don’t Use Threats. In moments of frustration, it’s tempting to impose restrictions or punishments. Remember, they’re teens for a significant stretch of time. This approach may lead to a dismissive “whatever,” and you’ll find yourself feeling just as exasperated.
- Skip the Multiple Alarms. You might think creative alarm clocks can save the day, but they’ll likely become part of their dreamscape. Believe me, I’ve tried everything from rooster sounds to movie quotes, and none have worked.
- Don’t Send in the Family Pet. This tactic typically backfires. A happy dog might just make them feel cozier, leading them back into dreamland.
Do This Instead:
- Cook Some Bacon. Quietly slip into the kitchen and fry up some bacon. The aroma will do wonders without a single word needing to be spoken.
- Lighten Their Mood (or Not). If you want to rouse them, try opening curtains or cheerfully greeting them. They’ll likely shoot back a sleepy “WHAT?” or “I’M UP!”—both of which are a blatant lie.
- Send a Text. You may wonder why they would respond to a text when they ignore alarms. Modern teens seem to be wired differently, but here’s the catch—offer a trip to their favorite sub shop, and you might just see them rise!
- Use Cartoons as a Last Resort. Nothing pulls at the heartstrings of a teenager quite like the nostalgia of childhood cartoons. It’s a surefire way to get them up and moving.
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In summary, waking a sleeping teenager can be a delicate dance; utilize enticing aromas, playful tactics, and their love of food to make mornings a little smoother.
Keyphrase: How to Wake a Sleeping Teenager
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