When a child sleeps too little - and a mom says too much!

Ads has always been a restless sleeper. Many days, he is over-stimulated and unable to fall asleep soon after hitting the bed. Plus he dislikes sleeping. Many a time, we have have conversations revolving around what a waste of time sleep is.

The last time he complained about sleep being a waste of time, I told him: The body needs sleep in order to rest and recharge itself. 

He said: what'll happen if someone doesn't sleep for a long long time?

I replied (hastily and thoughtlessly as t turned out): They would be really really tired and they may even faint or die.

I could have bitten my tongue out even as I said this but he said no more and I moved on, hoping he had not paid much attention to what I said.

Fat hope.

A day later, he comes to my room at night, very agitated and in tears.

Amma, I can't sleep. I'm going to have such a short life!!

Now what do I do with this boy???