Bedtime- Wondering why everyone's kids go to bed so late

Natasha - posted on 04/09/2010

I have 2 boys 4yrs & 2 1/2yrs they go to bed most nights at 8:30pm then they will wake up at about 6am, so if they are not going to kindy or i'm not going to work then sometimes they will go to bed alittle bit later. I have always put my boys to bed at a time that suits my routine, as i'm not an early morning person. Good luck

Nina - posted on 04/09/2010

My daughter is 2 and I put her to bed at 630 - 7. And she wakes up abut 730- 745. I think it's a pretty normal bed time for their age. I think they should go to bed later when they are ya know, older. Like 6 or so. But that's just me :)

Amanda - posted on 04/09/2010

my daughter is 17 mths she also goes to bed at 8 and usually wakes up around 7:30 - 8:00

Tiffany - posted on 04/09/2010

i had that prob wit my oldest too and he was awfull to deal wit but i use to let him sleep with movie on or the tv but i stopped that it was hard to be firm and stay with it he screamed bloody murder but he finally wore himself out and fell asleep and i just let him scream cry and would talk to him calmly to try to calm him down and let him know it was night time it did take like a week to finally get it where i didnt have to have him cry or scream but just be persistant no matter what and see if that works for u

Bobbi-Jo - posted on 04/09/2010

my doctor told me that up to 12 hour of sleep is perfectly healthy for your child but some time the child is the one that doesn't agree with that so in that case he said just do the best you can at getting them down at a desent time

Teresa - posted on 04/09/2010

my kids are up til 8 or 9 cause they have the "sun is still up why cant i be?" problem. my husband didnt get home before 7 or 8 in the evenings so the kids needed time with dad before bedtime too.

Roxanne - posted on 04/09/2010

I have a son who is 13 months old and hes in bed at 830 and wakes a little after 7.he has been like this for about 3m now. i find that if i put him to bed any earlier he wakes earlier,generally 6 or 630.

Brianna - posted on 04/09/2010

I have a 6 month old, I put him bed at 10pm but it is because if I put him down earlier then he wakes up at 4am ready to go...soo bedtime 10, wake time 8am. He gets a few decent naps during the day too so he isn't grumpy. But I personally think there isn't a "right" time, I think it depends on the kid and their own schedule. Although, 2am is a little too late! But whatever works for you is the right way to do things! :-D

Corie - posted on 04/09/2010

Hi! My daughter is 7.5 months old and she goes to bed around 8:30 every night. We tried an earlier bedtime with her (7ish) and she wouldn't sleep through the night. She thought it was play time at 3am. Now she goes to be anywhere from 8-9 and wakes up between 6:30 and 7:30. She naps two times a day for 1.5 hours.

Tessa - posted on 04/09/2010

Because there is no consistency! Every child wants and needs consistency, they love routine. If the parent is not consistent then the child rules and have authority, instead of the parent.

Louise - posted on 04/09/2010

Ok I just want to say one thing and before I do I will clearly state that this is My opinion and I'm not judging anyone elses opinion.

I work 40 hour weeks 8:30 to 5:30 every day. I take the kids to creche and collect them every day My husband works 7 - 7 either nights or days depending on the week so the scenario is that one week hes going out to work as i come in and hes getting home as i go out. The other week hes gone before i get up in the morning and hes back after the kids are gone to bed. I do everything with the kids midweek. I get them up and dressed and out the door with lunches bottles etc. I get myself dressed and get my lunch. I get home about 6:10 and i have dinner in the fridge from the night before and i feed the kids and get them ready for bed. Even waiting up an extra hour to see their daddy means that they are so tired that they are impossible to get to bed! As i do all this stuff i have set their routine to what they need. I dont get anytime when they nap midday well my 4 year old doesn't nap and after they are in bed i have to do washing clean dishes pack bags cook dinner and lay out clothes etc before i can go to be. And i HAVE to be up at 6:30 every morning. 25 to 8 leaving the house means i'm late for work.

We spend quality time with our kids every weekend. ANyone who knows us and out kids will tell you that the are well cared for and loved children who are totally happy! Both children are full of hugs and kisses every day and i ring daddy on the carphone on the way home from the creche every day and my 4 year old fills his daddy in on his day during his break!
There is no right or wrong way but putting kids down to bed early is not always about having time for yourself. In my house its a necessity!

Lyndsey - posted on 04/09/2010

My son is 10 months old and he goes to bed every night between 7:30pm and 8pm....and then gets up at 8:30am

Amber - posted on 04/09/2010

My son went to bed between 6:30 & 7:00 and got up about 7:00 am until daylight savings time started this year (he's about to turn 2). Now he stays up until 8 and gets up about 7:30 am. I would've worked with him to get him to turn in at 7 after the time changed, but it coincided with my husband working very long hours so we went with it. That way his daddy could see him for a little bit before he went to bed.

Katie - posted on 04/09/2010

My 15 month old son is the same way. He goes to bed anywhere between 6:30 and 7 and wakes up between 6:30 and 7:30 in the morning. I think most of the reason is because he doesn't nap well during the day but it has been this way since he was tiny.

Nicole - posted on 04/09/2010

Yea my daughter does not go to bed till late like 10:30 - 11:00 I tryed to put her to bed earlier and she would just cry... the only thing is she is pretty good with taking her naps at like 11:30 12:00 but her bed time is the only thing shes not to good with..

Louise - posted on 04/09/2010

My 4 year old is in bed at 7 and what i normally do it put him up and then read him a story while my 1 year old has his bottle. 1 year old in bed before half 7. I wake them at half 6 every morning as i work fulltime and we all need to be out of the house by half 7. Once the 1 year old is not napping in the daytime then he'll be in bed before 7 too.



I have been told that i put them down too early but i put it in the contex of knowing children whos bedtime if 8 but they don't need to be up till half 7 so they get the same amount of sleep as my kids!!

Melisa - posted on 04/09/2010

For us 6:30 or 7 is just too early. She (at 3.5 months) sleeps for 12 hours (still waking every 3 hours to nurse) and to be honest I do not want to get up at 6! She is usually asleep by 9, so that's plenty of time with my partner!

Kimberly - posted on 04/09/2010

My son is 15 months & he goes to bed 6:30pm also. He's awake by 8am-8:30am & stays in his crib until 9am. Then he's down for his morning nap at 10:30am and sleeps for 2 1/2 hours. Everyone tells me I'm lucky and I couldn't agree more =)

Kathryn - posted on 04/09/2010

I have three children ages 7yrs, 6yrs and 21mon. My youngest goes to bed no later than 730pm any later and he is really difficult the next day. He is usually up between 7am and 830am the next depending on whether or not he has to go to daycare the next day. My older two are in bed by 830pm school or no school because they have the same problem as their younger brother because they are difficult if they don't go to bed on time. My thing has always been that you know your child and what is best and I agree children need their rest and should not be kept up just so the parents can sleep in the next day. I have friends who do that. As a Medical Assitant and future nurse not getting enough sleep will mess with a childs immunity, well-being and their overall health.

Christina - posted on 04/09/2010

I dont really think its selfish to let a child fall into his or her parents rountine. I want my daughter to spend all the best times with me ..And at 6 AM I am not at my best. As long as your child gets enough sleep I dont really see that bedtime is such an issue as long as there is routine. If your familys schedule consists of getting up at 6am every morning obviously theres a need for everyone to bed earlier, and so on.

Dawn - posted on 04/09/2010

my boy goes to bed at 9, but that will soon change since before long he will have to go to school. my other boy is only 9 months and goes to bed whenever i do but when he turns one he will have to go to bed at 9.

Farrah - posted on 04/09/2010

Thanks Lindsay that is good advice. I am looking forward to oneday when she can go to bed a bit later

Lyndsley - posted on 04/09/2010

That's good that she sleeps 12 hours. Mine does too. As she gets older and her behavior changes, you can change her bedtime. The best way to do it is in 15 minute increments, that way they can adjust to it:)

Farrah - posted on 04/09/2010

Hi mums thanks for all your posts. I was just interested in why kids go to bed at certain times. I put my daughter to bed at 6.30 because she is tired and ready for bed at that time, when I have kept her up till 9 or later she still wakes up at 6-7 and is really grumpy all day. It has been a batle to get her to sleep for 12 hours and she is still sometimes waking up. I am not an early morning person but my daughter wakes up early so I have to send her to bed early to make sure she gets the sleep she needs. This is the routine that works best for her even if I don't like it that much. My husband and I spend alot of time with her and I think it would be unfair to her to keep her up late when she really is tired.

Lyndsley - posted on 04/09/2010

My 2 year old has always gone to bed early. It was 730, but now she goes to bed around 8.

It's better for the kid to go to bed early. You're doing the right thing for her.

Sonya - posted on 04/09/2010

I wish my son would go to bed early . He did up till the age of 14 months he's 19 months now it's closer to 9pm but we still struggle with him sleeping thru the night . He sleeps in sometimes with my husband who's with him in the morning which I've tried to change asking my husband not to let him sleep in while he gets ready for work. but for my schedule its to early for me right now with summer coming. I have friends that stop what they are doing so their kids are in bed early soo I say enjoy it & I hope it lasts for you..

Amanda - posted on 04/09/2010

my kids have always had a 9:00 bed time and they get up in between 830 and 9 in the morning if not earlier...which is all their choice lol im a stay at home mom thats in school, and if i put my kids to bed that early they would be up at like 6 in the am and im so not an am person and with a nap they can stay up that late with out being cranky

Tiffany - posted on 04/09/2010

My oldest daughter is almost 9 and she goes to bed at 8 because shes hard to handle in the morning for school. My son is 7 and he goes to bed ant 730 for the same reason, and my 1 year old goes to sleep at 7 and wakes up at 630 because she hears her sister and brother getting ready for school.

Stephanie - posted on 04/09/2010

my boy is 6 1/2 months old. he goes to bed at 8 and wakes up between 6-7 for a bottle, then falls back asleep for about an hour.

Amanda - posted on 04/09/2010

I have a two year old son. His bed time is between 10:30pm and 11pm. It used to be later but he changed it on his own. We put him to bed late because his father doesnt get home till 12:30am and so we like him to sleep in a little bit. He sleeps from 11 to between 9:30 am and 10am. My fiance and I have our time together when he gets home from work and then my son and fiance get their time together between 10am and 2:30pm before my fiance leaves for work. My son goes for a nap at 3pm and sleeps from 2-3 hours. its a nice routine for us. I know it will change when it gets closer for my son to start school but for now this is how it works best for us

Erin - posted on 04/09/2010

You're right Marie I selfishly let my sons go to bed @ 9 & wake up @ 9 because aside from having ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do @ 6am, I very selfishly do not want to have more fights w/my husband that i work weekends therefore requiring him to wake up w/the boys on Saturdays when it is financially necessary that i work. Even if they didn't get up until noon (which is how he managed to work it w/the first one) he STILL gets pissy I work...so if by letting him sleep in until atleast 8/9 makes me selfish I am TOTALLY ok w/that! and I will happily get that extra sleep in the morning! I don't live on a farm; i don't have to wake up when the son comes up!!!

Crystal - posted on 04/09/2010

My daughter is 22 months old and since she was 2 months old she has slept through the night and on my schedule. My husband worked swing shift and so we went to bed at 2 am and woke up at noonish. When my schedule changes and so does hers. We are working on getting her on a more normal schedule, ten to nine would be great. As of so far, we have her going to bed at 1am now. If I try for sooner, even with waking her up earlier, she still won't go to sleep till 1. I know it's terrible, but I really don't mind until she starts school.

Jascinta - posted on 04/09/2010

my 15 mth old boy gos to sleep every night at 7pm and wakes at 7am. hes been doing this for most of his life...... my 5 wk old seems to be following the same routine too lol. just waking for 2-3 feeds still of course. i often wonder the same thing when i see babies and kids up so late. i also think some sort of routine helps... like dinner, bath, milk (if age suits) bed.

Marie - posted on 04/09/2010

I have observed some of my friends that put their kids to bed late and sadly it is a selfish thing. Most kids need about 12 hours of sleep up until 4 or 5 years old. That said, if you put them to bed at 9 or 10, the kids get up about 9 or 10. I have a couple of friends that love to sleep in and it's the end of their world if they have to get up at 7 or 8! My kids got to bed at 8 and are usually up sometime between 7 and 8. They are 5, 4 and 2 yrs old.

Lisa - posted on 04/09/2010

I see where you all are comming from. I think its just what suits best really. If my daughter did go bed any later she would get cranky and just want to go to sleep.

Nikkole - posted on 04/09/2010

my lil girl is 6mts old and she go to bed between 9:30 and 10:30 and wakes up between 7:30-8:30. she has been this way since she has came home form the hopstial. her dad works 3rd and now she wont go to bed untill he kiss her goodnight, and when he comes home in the morinig he has to go and get her out of her crib. she takes to naps one late in the moring and one in the after noon

Amanda - posted on 04/09/2010

My 7 month old daughter goes to bed around 8pm or 9pm at the latest. If she falls asleep any earlier then 8 pm, it is just a nap for her because she is not tired enough for bed yet. She gets up in between 7 and 8am. My 4 year old son goes to bed after his sister falls asleep. So he is in bed by 9 at the latest as well. He doesn't have to be up early because he goes to the pm class at preschool and will be for kindergarten as well. Once he stars first grade I will make him go to bed between 7:30-8. I think any earlier is too early for bed. As for my daughter she is too young to make go to bed at a certain time, and I don't want to mess up her routine, because she does sleep through the night right now for at least 10 hours which is great!

Amy - posted on 04/09/2010

Hi, Well my daughter is now 6yrs old and will happily go to bed at 6.30pm! and gets up at 7am everyday ,i dont think children can ever go to bed too early :-) , our little boy is a bit of a pain but still wont get up before 6.30am xx

Crystal - posted on 04/09/2010

I also but my son to be early. like 7. he always wakes up early, so i dont keep him up because even if i put him to bed at 830 he is still up at 6 or 630.

Erin - posted on 04/09/2010

it takes my 3 yr old 2 hrs to wind down & fall asleep AFTER i put him to bed. so we go to bed @ 8p and hes falling asleep between 9-11p. He then wakes up around 8-9a. i have a friend that did the whole 7p bedtime & 6a wake up time, NO THANK YOU! if our kids woke up @ 6am my husband would kill me! He wants to sleep in on the weekends as hes up @ 5am M-F I get flak for them waking him up @ 8a! 3 hrs sleeping in apparently isn't enough? Yeah it kinda sucks having them go to bed that late and not get me time, but if I was waking up @ 6am I would be falling asleep @ 7p right along with the kids!!!

Anna - posted on 04/09/2010

i used to have my daughter asleep by 9 n shed be up at 615 for her bottle n the back to bed til 10. her schedule got all mixed up when I graduated last year. n then we took away the pacifier now im lucky if shes in bed by 11

Kimbeley - posted on 04/09/2010

Oh, and this one has heaps and heaps of articles about everything to do with sleeping children... http://www.thesleepstore.co.nz/sleep+inf...

Kimbeley - posted on 04/09/2010

I think this article is really helpful http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/sleepi...

Darci - posted on 04/09/2010

Wow, I thought my son went to bed early. 6:30 in my opinion is early, but if it works for your child and she is getting up at 7 a reasonable time then thats great. You get more of the evening to relax. My son goes to be at 7 or 7:30 although he would go to bed at 6:30 if i let him he is fussing by 5:30 or 6 he is so tired. He wakes up at 7 or 7:30 but isnt sleeping through the night yet and still wakes up every 2 hours inbetween that. If he went to bed at 6:30 he would be waking up at 6 or 6:30 thats too early for me to wake up.I think a lot of moms put their kids to bed later because they dont want to be waking up as early as 6 or 7 in the morning. My friend loves staying up late and sleeping in she puts her son to bed at 10 (way late) and he wakes up at 10 or 11 so she gets to sleep. I rather have the evening to relax without running after my one year old so i rather put him to bed early and well he just cant make it past 7:30. My sister in law puts her son to be at 9 she likes putting him to bed later because then if they want to go out to dinner or go somewhere with him they dont have to worry about him fussy and getting tired when they are out with him and they can stay out a little later. For that reason, thats kinda nice. I always have to get my son home by 5:30 so he can eat and have his bath and get ready for bed. Also my sis inlaw puts him to bed at 9 cuz then he wakes up around 9 instead of early like 7. So I think that is probably why many other moms put their kids to bed later. I like my evenings to relax too much I will always put my son to bed early as long as he lets me.

Tiffiny - posted on 04/09/2010

well my oldest is 7 she had to be in bed at 8 and with her 2 year old sister they get up at 7 also the baby is 7 months i have not quit got her on a schedule she my fall asleep at 7 but wakes 2 times a night. 630 may be to early for us we r just eating dinner or finishing playing outside hey if it works for u that i great.

Lisa - posted on 04/09/2010

mine is the same hun she goes bed at 6.30 or 7 then gets up at 7 sometimes 7.30. she has done this since 2months old. Not sure why people put their children bed late, then they wonder why they are run down and tired. No Offence just might make it easier for you in the long run. xx

Kristy - posted on 04/09/2010

Hi, my son is almost 17mos and is in bed between 8:30 and 9 every night. He up between 7 and 7:30. If he went to bed any earlier he would be up before the sun.

Kelly - posted on 04/09/2010

I had trouble getting my 6 year old to bed at a descent hour but now we have it down pact and it also works for my little one too. What we do is after dinner at 5 my 6 year old helps me clean up and do dishes we make a game out of it so the he is burning energy then after that they both have a bed time snack then bath time for the oldest after the bath he brushes his teeth while he does that I give my little one a bath and brush his teeth by then its 730 then we settle down and I read a book to them and in 15 to 20 minutes they are both out like a light until 730am when its time to get ready for school. On the weekends my oldest gets to stay up a little later and watch a movie that he picked out we have popcorn and a movie then bath teeth story then bed by 9pm

Nikki - posted on 04/09/2010

wow, thought I was the only one that thought 630 bed times were crazy! we are just getting done with dinner then!

Nikki - posted on 04/09/2010

Hi, I'm nikki and I have a 4 year old boy. He goes to bed around 9-10. He stays up that late because my husband doesn't even get home until about 430 and we don't eat dinner until about 6 then after his bath and spending time with him its usually about 9. He usually gets up around 800-830. If we had to get up earlier then we ould have to go to bed earlier.