A long day of play reminds us why a child’s sleep schedule is important
Pushing our daughter's limits came with some consequences
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There are certain sounds that instantly wake a parent from the deepest sleep, especially for parents of children with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. A cough. A thud. Silence even feels suspicious to a parent of a child with a rare disease.
Then there is the cheerful midnight monologue of your 7-year-old holding a full conversation with absolutely no one. After a recent marathon day of family fun, our daughter, Rylae-Ann, decided that sleeping quietly was simply not on the agenda.
An action-packed day
Rylae-Ann, 7, shares a back seat with her cousin as they head out for an action-packed day of fun. (Photo by Richard E. Poulin III)
The day had been action-packed from sunrise to sunset since my wife, Judy, had family visiting us in Bangkok to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Pool time turned into “just five more minutes.” Playground adventures required one last trip down the slide. Family laughter, cousin giggles, and the kind of joyful chaos occurred that only happens when everyone is together and no one is watching the clock too closely.
Judy and I tried to pace Rylae-Ann. We really did, but she has become quite a determined girl who enjoys getting her way. We encouraged her to slow down, take breaks, and maybe consider resting for a moment. Naps — clearly designed to steal valuable playtime — were out of the question.
Judy and I knew better. In our house, schedules are essential, and sleep is not optional. Sleep is medicine, especially for Rylae-Ann, whose body has worked harder than most since the day she was born. When she was diagnosed with AADC deficiency as a baby, we quickly learned how critical rest and routine are for her regulation, mood, and overall well-being. After receiving gene therapy at just 18 months old, she has made remarkable progress, but even now, we know that pushing her limits comes with consequences.
Still, family time is short, and vacations don’t seem to happen often enough. Quite frankly, we all deserved this break. So we did what parents sometimes do on special occasions. We bent the rules and pushed back bedtime. And maybe nudged just a little further. Eventually, we had to call it quits. With the crescent moon shining bright, Rylae-Ann left the playground dramatically, bargaining for more time with her cousin. The negotiations were intense. The outcome was predictable. Bed won.
Talking in her sleep
She climbed into bed, exhausted but still buzzing, like a phone at 1% battery that somehow refuses to shut off. When sleep finally claimed her, Judy and I collapsed as well, confident that everyone would sleep deeply after such a full day.
Sometime in the middle of the night, I heard it: talking. Not the confused mumbling of a restless sleeper, but animated, expressive dialogue. For a moment, I thought Judy was whispering. She was not. The voice was coming from Rylae-Ann’s bed.
She was happily reliving the day’s events. There were enthusiastic retellings of pool time and playground adventures. At one point, she burst into sleepy giggles, as if someone had just delivered the funniest joke in history. Judy and I lay there, trying not to laugh, listening to her joyful narration as if we had front-row seats to her imagination at work.
Children talking in their sleep is actually quite common, particularly between the ages of 2 and 12. It is considered a partial awakening when the brain briefly activates and sometimes processes the day’s events out loud. After a day filled with excitement, movement, and big emotions, her brain was clearly still at the playground. It was harmless, even sweet, and a reminder of how deeply she had soaked in every joyful moment.
However, the next morning gently reminded us why we usually protect her schedule so carefully. She woke up groggy and slightly dramatic, moving a bit more slowly than usual, with more attitude. The fun had been worth it, but the consequences were clear. We returned to our normal routine immediately, restoring bedtime and wind-down rituals with renewed commitment. As magical as late nights and family memories can be, a good night’s rest remains just as important.
Note: AADC News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of AADC News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency.
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