How does lack of sleep affect parenting?

Raising a child is often considered one of the most important tasks in social development. Raising young children and living with teenagers can be a source of stress. Situations such as a chaotic home or a demanding child, along with deeper factors like being a single parent or having limited financial resources, can lead families to experience demands that exceed their capacity. Several studies, as explained by Gonzalo Pin Arboledas, an expert in sleep disorders medicine at the San Juan de Dios School of Health, have shown that positive family behaviors (such as warmth and responsiveness) contribute to the development of positive behavior in children, while negative behaviors (such as hyperreactivity) are detrimental. Stressed and sleep-deprived parents, therefore, tend to use harsher and less positive parenting styles. How does lack of sleep affect metabolism?

Maternal sleep problems (caused by their children's poor sleep quality) are linked to higher levels of dysfunctional parenting. This is especially significant for mothers who have more difficulty falling asleep. In fact, adults living with a child or teenager who don't sleep well may be more likely to suffer various metabolic disorders in the medium or long term.

1. Increased glucose and insulin levels.
2. Tendency towards poorer control or an increase in blood pressure.
3. Decreased leptin, the enzyme responsible for the feeling of satiety after meals.
4. Alteration of the secretion rhythm of the stress hormone: cortisol.

Pin Arboledas says that one way to improve sleep and reduce stress is to be in contact with nature, as it lowers cortisol and stress levels.

And what about parenting?

Mothers who experience highly variable and poor-quality sleep are less emotionally available to their babies at bedtime during the first year of life, which can affect the bond between mother and baby in the second year. Parental poor sleep also jeopardizes both parenting and the child's socio-emotional development. Sleep hygiene and habits should therefore be a key focus of parental intervention, as unpredictable parental behavior and a lack of routines affect the optimal formation of brain circuits in the child. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.

When we talk about self-care, it means achieving a balance among the four facets of parenthood: as a person, as a father or mother, as a partner (if applicable), and as a professional in the workplace. Time dedicated to raising children should be complemented by time dedicated to these other facets, with varying degrees of intensity depending on the child's stage of development. This balance should always be present as part of respectful parenting, considering the child and their environment. "It's impossible to understand one part of the system (child/adolescent) without understanding the other part (mother/father/siblings)," notes Pin Arboledas.