Back to school usually means cutting back on sleep for parents. While skipping some sleep may seem harmless, it's anything but. As you make new schedules for yourself and your kids, be sure to pencil in some sleep.

Because you don't have to shuttle the kids out the door, you can sleep a little later in the summer. You don't have to contend with homework, science projects or softball games. Kids stay up late and sleep in. There's no rushing around.

Suddenly the school year dawns and you have to start waking up earlier. In addition, you may have to stay up a little later to help with homework.

Getting settled back into a routine is easier said than done. Even the lead-up to school can be stressful and interfere with your sleep. The kids need new clothes and new supplies, which means a lot of running around. You're thinking about money and wondering how you and your child will like the new teacher. Your child's anxiety about the new school year may be affecting you as you try to reassure him or her. All this can do is add up to less sleep.

Lack of sleep isn't harmless. If you don't get enough sleep, you won't be functioning as well during the day - you'll be less productive, pay less attention to what you're doing, have trouble getting organized, feel cranky, and will even be at risk for injury. Recent research also suggests that you may be at higher risk for weight gain and diseases like diabetes.

Being low on sleep can lead to drowsy driving. You may feel suddenly tired when driving and even doze for a few seconds. Usually, this drowsiness is worse in the middle of the day - when you have to pick up the kids or have to work on that report your boss wants the next day.

If your kids are having trouble sleeping - either falling asleep or staying asleep - your sleep may suffer, too. Your child may be feeling anxious about school and having concerns about grades, fitting in and making friends or problems with other kids. All this affects you, and you probably are not getting the full eight hours' sleep that you need.

Here are some tips for getting more sleep:

• Try changing your schedule about a week or two before the first day - go to bed earlier and get up earlier. Stick to that schedule during the weekend too.
• Create a bedtime routine for you and your family. This way your children understand the importance of sleep and it makes it easier for you to get your sleep. A bedtime routine works for anyone regardless of age. You could try reading with your child or sitting down for some milk or fruit before bed.
• Make sure that the bedrooms are cool and dark.
• Don't have anything with caffeine - such as soda or coffee - for several hours before bed.
• If you have trouble falling asleep, get up and go into another room to do something relaxing, such as reading.

If you continue to have sleep problems, see your doctor. Insomnia may be a sign of a medical condition like depression or sleep apnea.

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External Source National Sleep Foundation

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.