DiscoverThe Fearless Fostering PodcastWhy Traditional Sleep Advice Fails Foster Teens (And What Actually Works)
Why Traditional Sleep Advice Fails Foster Teens (And What Actually Works)

Why Traditional Sleep Advice Fails Foster Teens (And What Actually Works)

Update: 2025-11-11
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“Teaching my teen to independently regulate before bed to help him sleep. Sticking to a bedtime routine with a teen when schedules are all over the place.”

This message landed in my DMs yesterday, and my heart immediately went out to this mama. If you’re fostering teens, you already know the bedtime battle is nothing like what the parenting books describe.

I’ve been there – wondering if the “expert” sleep advice I’d read had ever been tested on a kid whose nervous system was permanently set to high alert.

After nearly three years of fostering and working with countless foster families (plus my background as a therapist), I’ve learned that traditional sleep advice often fails our kids spectacularly. Not because we’re doing it wrong, but because it wasn’t designed for children who’ve experienced trauma.

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Why Traditional Sleep Advice Fails Foster Teens (And What Actually Works)

Why Traditional Sleep Advice Fails Foster Teens (And What Actually Works)

Cathleen Bearse