Dr. Thomas Maples

A Sacred Journey Called Parenting

1. A Sacred Journey Called Parenting
2. Mental Health &Sleep
3. How Many Hours is Optimal by Age
4. The Effects on Emotional Health

Mental Health &Sleep

There’s no doubt that parenting is a sacred journey. It’s full of ups and downs, laughter and tears, and moments of pure joy. But one thing that often gets overlooked is how sleep schedules affect our child’s emotional health. 

Believe it or not, getting enough nighttime slumber is crucial for optimal brain functioning and can help prevent conditions like ADHD, depression, and anxiety from developing. So please join me as I explore the link between sleep and children’s emotional health. 

How Many Hours is Optimal by Age

Experts generally agree that newborns need between 12 and 16 hours in a 24 hour period. Spread this out over several naps during the day and one long stretch at night.

Toddlers between the ages of one and two typically need around 11 to 14 hours each day. Once again, break this up into two naps during the day and one longer block at night.

Most children between the ages of 3 and 5 need between 10 and 13 hours. Break this down into one to two naps during the day and one more extended block at night.

School-aged children between 6 and 12 need around 9 to 12 hours. Teenagers between 13 and 18 need around 8 to 10 hours per night. 

Adults should strive to attain around 6 to 8 hours and should never have more than 9 hours. Sleeping less than six hours does not allow the body or psyche the needed energy to engage effectively in the next day’s tasks. If you slumber more than nine hours, it will negatively affect your circadian rhythm. It does not allow one to get the required sunlight, exertion of energy, and life experiences needed to create a healthy balance in life.

As you can see, there are some general guidelines regarding how much rest we need by age. But remember that every child is different; some may need more or less sleep than others. The best way to find out what works for your child is to experiment until you find a schedule that seems to work well for them.

The Effects on Emotional Health

Many studies have shown a link between our nighttime habits and the emotional health of children. One study found that children with ADHD were more likely to have more sleep problems than those without the condition. Another study showed that insomnia increases the risk of developing depression. And yet another study found that poor sleep was associated with anxiety in children.

There is a strong connection between our slumber habits and emotional health in kids. If your child is having trouble sleeping, it’s essential to talk to their doctor. Many different treatment options are available, including behavioral therapy, medication, and relaxation techniques. With the help of a professional, you can find a solution that will work for your child and help them get the rest they need.

Parenting is a sacred journey that comes with many challenges. But by understanding the importance of our child’s slumber habits, you can help your child stay healthy and happy. I hope you found this information helpful! If you have any questions or want to learn more about sleep and child’s mental health, please get in touch with me in the audio link below to ask your question. Please note that by doing so, your question may be the topic of our next podcast. Thanks for listening!

With Blessings my friends. May your sacred journey unfold before you as you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Filling Your Cup: The Discipline of Loving-Kindness – A Sacred Journey: Where Myths Unfold and Potential Awakens

How do we maintain our emotional viability when the demands of daily life start to drain us?In this episode of A Sacred Journey, we dive deep into "Filling Your Cup: The Discipline of Loving-Kindness." We stand at the crossroads of love and self-compassion, exploring how these two forces are not just passive feelings, but active, daily disciplines that create lasting meaning in our lives.Join us as we discuss how to navigate those daunting, mundane, and stressful day-to-day events by shifting our internal dialogue. By learning to actively pour back into ourselves first, we build the emotional resilience needed to show up fully for the world.In this episode, we explore:The Anatomy of Emotional Viability: What it means to be emotionally sustainable in a demanding world.Loving-Kindness as a Discipline: Why self-compassion is a practice of strength, not softness.The Daily Crossroads: Practical ways to inject love into the moments that feel the most daunting.Filling Your Cup First: Moving past the guilt of self-care to cultivate genuine, lasting meaning.Grab a warm drink, settle in, and let's take this sacred step together.

1. Filling Your Cup: The Discipline of Loving-Kindness 20:42
2. Fill Your Glass: The Disciplined Practice of Loving-Kindness 12:07
3. The Architecture of Joy: Navigating Darkness to Find Your Light 17:28
4. How to Find Spiritual Grounding: Healing a Fractured Soul through Integrity 17:15
5. The Unshakable Anchor: Building Hope in a Fractured World 15:31

A Psychology to Realize Inner Potential

Realizing your inner potential can be hard. What to do?

In the journey to realize a thousand miles, you must be willing to take that first step. But oftentimes, fear, past failures, or a simple lack of self esteem can get into the way. If your have felt this to be the case, you may need a little assistance to begin your journey.

Personal Development Coaching can help.

Dr. Thomas Maples

My goal… To help you reclaim your passion for life.

In our journey together, we will create a wellness focus that honors body, mind, and spirit. By re-kindling your inner fire in pursuit of the dreams once lost to time or circumstance, you will find new purpose for living and become happier with what’s around every corner! Let us build a plan to Advance Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams. 

I look forward to helping you.