Sleeping past 6 AM

So if you have been reading this for any amount of time, you know that recently Austin had his tonsils and adenoids removed due to mild sleep apnea and bad snoring. That was back at the end of September. The surgery went well and he recovered like a champ.

Until about a week ago he was still waking up earlier and earlier and I was getting gray hair due to it, as well as, exhausted and getting sick due to not getting enough sleep myself. We also had Day Light Savings time to thank for royally messing up any progress we had made.  But then…a light bulb went off in my brain. 

SUGAR. 

Kids love sugar. My kid was no exception. I have been reading gut health info out the wazoo and honestly, I am convinced it plays a role in all aspects of our life. Well if I am taking such care and concern for myself…shouldn't I be doing the same for my kids?!

So, with my husband backing me, we decided to cut out any straight sugar food/candy/snack, any foods with a lot of sugar (juice, snacks, some fruits) after nap time. He gets up around 3PM usually and asks for a snack. Before, I honestly wouldn't have thought twice of mixing up some watered down OJ and some higher sugar snack..he just woke up, right?! Well no, because it was causing a high and then a crash. 

Now, he gets water and goldfish (less then 1g sugar) or some other low sugar snack. He doesn't argue about it because he isn't craving the sugars…because for the most part they have been cut from his diet!

PEOPLE…he has been sleeping until 6:30/7AM. I can tell you for a fact that in the 3 1/2 years of his life he has only slept that late when he was sick. (His bed time hasn't changed.) The only other noticeable change has been the addition of a new vitamin/probiotic to his daily routine.

Parts of me, my mom guilt, say that I should have figured this out sooner. The other part of me says, it is never too late. So, one of my new favorite hobbies is to research yummy low sugar snacks. There is so much out there! I am hopeful that we are on our way to new sleep routines for him. Also genuinely excited about helping balance my kids blood sugar and cravings by giving them more whole foods. (Lord willing they eat them!) :) 

Happy Friday!! Enjoy your weekend!