- From the NPN Weekly: Birth control to manage heavy periods for your young teen, and chances are your kids aren’t getting enough sleep.
Parenting IRL
“My daughter is in 7th grade. She had what seem like normal periods, but she thinks they are so heavy and wants to go on birth control. I have no idea who put this idea in her head, but she is obsessed with the concept and wants to do this before camp as she is concerned about a heavy period there. Is this a thing? (And for those of you who question if she is thinking about having sex, it’s a no. She isn’t interested in boys yet — or girls I suppose.) Thoughts?”
Managing periods is a real and legitimate concern for kids — and it turns out hormonal birth control to manage heavy or irregular periods (not contraception) is more common than many parents realize. In this situation, lighter, more predictable periods can make a big difference for a kid navigating shared bathrooms, swim schedules, and not having easy access to a trusted adult. Whether it’s the best option depends on her specific situation, and that’s a conversation worth having with her pediatrician.
If your daughter is asking about this, it’s worth taking seriously — many kids hear about period management from friends, social media, or school, and heavy periods are a real concern. We’d love to hear from parents who’ve navigated this situation. What worked for your family? Do you have any advice? Let us know here!
But seriously ...
Your Kid Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep. Therefore, Neither Are You.
Here’s a number that should keep you up at night (which is ironic, because it’s about sleep): nearly half of all U.S. children (44%) don’t consistently get the recommended amount of sleep for their age, according to the National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) 2026 Sleep in America Poll.
Turns out most are underestimating how much sleep their kids need — often by more than an hour per day, compared to NSF recommendations. And it’s not just the kids who suffer — when one family member sleeps poorly, the effects can ripple through the entire household. (We’re guessing you already know this.)
The fix isn’t complicated, even if it’s easier said than done: consistent bedtimes, screens off well before bed, and — yes — modeling it yourself. Catch those zzz’s!
As a reminder, here are the recommended hours of sleep per the NSF:
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