11 Yr Sleeping Longer Then Normal?

Maybe she's depressed missing her mom and sleeping helps the time to pass. I know when my GD is anxious for time to pass, she will go to bed early so the time passes faster.

Puberty. Homesickness. Retreat. Avoiding your kids or your routine. Stressed out at home and run down. Could be anything. Assuming she's eating and coherent, I'd ignore it and let her mother sort it out when she's back home.

Maybe she is going thru a growth spurt. Six grade girls tend to eat a lot, sleep more, and gain a little weight before their growth spurt. Have you asked her if she is just bored?

Maybe she's just taking advantage of being on vacation. Does your sister have her on a strict schedule? If so, she might be thinking great, I can catch up on my sleep. If she has nothing to do, she might just be saying what the heck, I'll sleep in.

Is there something you can have her do/go after breakfast?

Maybe she misses being home. Sleep is on of the greatest escapes.

Is she bored or possibly depressed to be away from family and friends? How does she feel in general? Temperature? sore throat? appetite normal? If you haven't already, ask her why she's sleeping so much.

If you're not planning activities for her after breakfast, I'd try taking her for a walk, to the playground, a museum, the zoo, etc. to see if being busy and active will shorten her sleep time. Will she stay awake to watch a movie?

Is it possible that she wakes up during the night and stays awake? Perhaps she reads in the middle of the night or just can't get back to sleep. A change in routine and location can cause difficulty staying asleep.

My 11 yr old has been sleeping quite late since summer started, but once she's up and had breakfast, she's up. Maybe your niece is coming down with something?

J.:

My soon to be 11 year old son sleeps like a log. He can sleep until noon if I let him.

I am wondering if she is missing home so she is sleeping a lot...OR is her body changing?

My 13 year old son and his life-long friend (like a son to me!) changed his sleeping habits as well. Before both of them would be up at the crack of dawn and early to bed...the first time he slept over and slept until 830 - I was almost panicking! :) He NEVER slept past 7AM!! Now? All three of them sleep to at least 9AM and my youngest? yeppers - sleeps until noon!

I would ask your sister if you can take her in for a blood test? She if she's become anemic?

Good luck!

Could be shes getting a cold or something. She may be going through puberty and getting ready to start her period. (I sleep.a lot more when I get ready to start n while I'm on it)

Maybe a growth spurt - how's her eating?
Is she hungry/eating a lot?
If yes, then her body is using resources to build/build/build especially when she sleeps.
Some studies say that teens tend to be more wired to be late to bed/late to rise people (but I never bought into that theory much).

Is she having her period?
That use to zonk me out when it first started up (plus the cramps were just AWFUL - I could not live/sleep without a heating pad).
If she takes any meds to help relieve cramps, that can zonk you out too.

Does she have access to cell phone/computer/other internet device or tv or DVD player in her room?
Is she texting/playing games (or even reading) into the wee hours then sleeping late to make up for it?
Some teens are a bit sneaky that way.

Make sure she gets some good exercise and a bit of sunshine when she's up.
Have a walk or something physical planned for right after breakfast.
Around here, morning is the best time to be outside if the afternoon temps will be in the high 90's - so it's a great time to wash the car, work in the garden, go for a walk, etc.
If we get up early enough, it's great to get to the beach shortly after sunrise (which is still later than when the fishermen get to the pier (pre-dawn) and then leave before lunch when it starts getting crowded.
It's good to keep teens moving and busy!

It could possible be hormonal. I went through a time as a preteen when I would get inordinately sleepy, and it always seemed to coincide with the start of my cycle.

My 11 year old has started sleeping in on weekends (when I allow it). I think it is because he is becoming a teenager. I also know that on the weekends he sleeps in he goes to bed but is playing on his ipod, DS, or reading late.

While you should watch for any other signs of depression, my 11 year old started transitioning her sleep to those typical teen patterns of later nights, later mornings a year or so ago. We homeschool so she doesn't have to get up super early every day, but still! Try sitting down with her and talking about what wake up time would be reasonable for her while still respecting the needs of the rest of the household (holding breakfast or serving it at one time? Planning outings and other activities, etc). Ask if she feels tired or lethargic or if she's just enjoying the freedom to sleep in during the summer.

My mom used to call me Sleeping beauty. I could sleep so late and still want a nap..

Remember her age.. Preteen with , lots of growth and changes. Also now that school is out, she is probably exhausted after all of the end of school activities and excitement.

If you have plans for the next day, be sure to give her a heads up. So she can set an alarm to get up.. Then get up and go..