Weekend lie-ins and the Monday-morning struggle
A long sleep on Friday and Saturday can feel like catching up. Why it can also make the school week start badly — and a gentle middle way.
By the ParentMind team3 min readListen to this article
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At a glance
- Who it is for
- Parents of children aged 10–15
- Key takeaways
- Long lie-ins can make Monday mornings harder.
- Try keeping weekend wake-ups close to school days.
- Make the morning worth getting up for.
Many children sleep late at the weekend and then find Sunday night hard: they aren’t tired at bedtime, and Monday’s alarm feels brutal. It can look like laziness, but often the body clock has simply drifted later over two days.
A middle way
- Let weekend wake-ups be a little later, not hours later.
- Open the curtains: morning light helps everyone wake up.
- Plan something nice for the morning — a favourite breakfast, a walk.
A steady wake-up time holds the rest of the week together.
How much sleep is enough?
Widely used guidance suggests 9–12 hours a night for 6–12-year-olds and 8–10 hours for 13–18-year-olds. If your child regularly needs much more at the weekend, it may be a sign they are short on sleep during the week.
This article is general information, not medical advice. For health worries, talk to a doctor; if someone is in danger, contact your local emergency number.
