Slow down.
You may think your wrestling on the living-room floor will tire him out, but it's more like giving him a double espresso.

The best sleep prep: 30 minutes of a quiet, soothing activity, such as reading, says Sheila Ribordy, a clinical psychologist and a professor at DePaul University in the US.

Also, eliminate caffeine from your child's diet, adds Jodi Mindell, Associate Director of the Sleep Disorders Centre at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in the US.

Stay on schedule. Even as infants, children should have a bedtime routine they can count on.

Establishing this leads to healthy sleep habits during childhood years and beyond.

Parents can use different routines, as long as they're predictable.

Unplug. Remove the television and computer from the bedroom, advise sleep experts.

Movies, video games and instant messaging busy the mind and preoccupy thoughts.

Listen to soothing music instead of watching Sports Tonight with them.

Talk. Night-time is when worries surface - and when children are most likely to share their feelings.

Use bedtime to talk about your child's day.

Teens may be stressed about school or friends, while little ones need reassurance that nothing scarier than dust bunnies live under the bed. Be their release valve.

Plan. Teenagers generally don't manage time well, hence the late-night projects.

Helping them organise time is easier than forcing them to go to sleep, reveals Ribordy.

Don't compromise. Debating what time the children should go to bed "teaches kids to be good arguers", Ribordy warns.

No debates, no changes. When the rule is broken, the consequence is moving the bedtime up the next night - adding more peace and quiet to everyone's day.

Have you found successful solutions for this sleep deprived period ? Share your experiences with us in the comments field below.