I’m A Control Freak About My Kids’ Sleep

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When it comes to parenting, there’s no shortage of differing opinions and practices. From food choices to discipline styles, parents often find themselves on opposing sides of the spectrum. And when it comes to kids’ bedtimes, the divide is just as clear.

In my experience, there are two types of parents: 1.) Those who stick to a strict early bedtime and are quite particular about it, and 2.) Those who let their kids stay up with no set bedtime at all. Well, I definitely fall into the first camp. Yep, I’m a total control freak when it comes to my kids’ sleep.

Last summer, a friend of mine invited us to watch fireworks for the Fourth of July. Fireworks? Don’t they usually start when it’s dark? That would mean they wouldn’t kick off until at least 9:30 p.m. At that hour, my kids are already two hours into dreamland! Our bedtime is a solid 7:30 p.m., which means that for half the year, they’re tucked in well before sunset.

When my daughters were infants, I made it a priority to establish a sleep schedule that included an early bedtime. Our family believes in the “early to bed, early to rise” philosophy. No matter when they go to sleep, my two-year-old always wakes me up bright and early with her rendition of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Cute? Absolutely. But 5 a.m. is a bit much. Until they are old enough to turn on the cartoons themselves, I’m getting dragged out of bed too. So, I’ve embraced my natural inclination to hit the hay early, especially since little kids don’t get the idea of sleeping in.

Toddlers and babies don’t grasp the concept of bedtime. They have no clue that there are other kids playing outside or that exciting shows are still on TV. They don’t know that we often turn down evening invitations. My motto? What they don’t know won’t hurt them. A well-rested kid is a happy kid, and when my kids are happy, I’m happy. So, in my home, sleep equals happiness. For now, I’m happy to prioritize my kids’ rest over any social life.

I find it amusing, though I don’t judge, how some of my friends have kids who stay up much later. “He stayed up to watch the ball drop?” I exclaimed to my best friend about her 4-year-old. “I love letting them stay up for special occasions,” she said enthusiastically. And because she’s my closest friend, I can tease her about being a bit “out there,” and she takes it in stride. We both know we have different parenting styles.

But I sometimes forget that not every family operates like mine. There are toddlers wide awake until 9 or even 10 p.m. While that schedule clearly works for some, it just doesn’t fit my family. I remind myself that other parents might react with disbelief when they hear my kids are in bed by 7:30. And that’s perfectly fine.

Perhaps kids like my friend’s do sleep in a bit later. Maybe missing some sleep one night doesn’t affect their mood the next day. That’s not the case for my daughters.

Honestly, I enjoy the fact that my kids hit the hay early. The hours between their bedtime and mine, although brief, give my husband and me a chance to reconnect and chat about our day without little ones interrupting.

Will they always go to bed this early? Of course not! Occasionally, there are special events that push bedtime back a bit. While I anticipate many early nights ahead, I know they will eventually get to experience life after 7:30 p.m. Who knows? They might even catch a glimpse of some fireworks someday!

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Summary:

This article explores the author’s strict approach to her children’s bedtime, emphasizing the importance of sleep for happiness in her family. While she acknowledges that other parents may have different views, she enjoys the early nights that allow for connection time with her husband. The author reflects on how her kids might eventually experience life after their 7:30 p.m. bedtime.