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Heed Your Overzealous, Sleep-Training Friends. They’re Onto Something!
May 17, 2016
Experts assert that early bedtimes contribute to healthier and happier kids.
If you’re a parent-to-be, you’re likely overwhelmed by the avalanche of parenting advice out there. But before you dismiss it all, let me share a nugget of wisdom: listen to those smug friends who swear by sleep training.
Now, I’m not one to usually dish out parenting advice—my approach leans toward what I call “default parenting.” This is the style where you try every trending parenting method, fail spectacularly, and end up winging it. However, there’s one piece of advice I deeply regret ignoring: I never sleep-trained my children. Trust me, I’ve paid dearly for it with my sanity.
This revelation has resurfaced after reading an article titled “In Defense Of Absurdly Early Bedtimes.” Honestly, who needs to defend something so obviously beneficial? Isn’t it preferable to kick back on the couch rather than juggle parenting tasks into the late hours? The author, Jamie Lee, a science writer who pens a parenting column for a well-known magazine, has consistently tucked her kids in by 7:30 PM, and her life is all the better for it. Research backs her up, indicating that children who hit the hay early are more focused, well-rested, and even smarter.
She dives into various studies that reinforce the significance of early bedtimes. “Four nights of going to bed an hour earlier improved 8- to 12-year-olds’ mood and enhanced their short-term memory, working memory, and attention skills, compared to those who stayed up later,” Lee writes. Another study revealed that 2-year-olds with early bedtimes were 62% less likely to have attention issues and 81% less likely to struggle with aggression by age 8.
Not only do kids sleep better when they turn in sooner, but they also get a larger share of restorative sleep. Plus, early bedtimes are a godsend for parents’ sanity. Picture this: enjoying a glass of wine in blissful silence or finally snuggling up with your partner for a grown-up movie. Pure bliss, right? Trust me, after five years without a single night of uninterrupted sleep, even the calmest person can get a bit frazzled!
That precious little infant who you can’t bear to hear cry will morph into a toddler who brings chaos to your home and your sanity every night.
My firstborn was still napping in a pack-and-play at three years old. Why? Because if he wasn’t contained, he’d roam around his room endlessly. I’m not exaggerating; I would tuck him in at 8:00 PM, and he’d chat with himself until nearly 10:30! He still does it at five. My daughter falls asleep earlier now, but that’s only because I was utterly exhausted by the time she arrived, and I firmly declared “NO WAY” when she resisted an early bedtime. Her cries tugged at my heart less than her brother’s, knowing full well the mayhem that awaited if I didn’t enforce a sleep schedule. Unfortunately, when one child refuses to sleep, it affects the entire household.
I vividly remember the first time I attempted the cry-it-out method with my then four-month-old; I rushed to his room, whispering “I’m sorry” as he sobbed. And I never looked back.
I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong, and this is one of those moments. There’s ample research showing that earlier bedtimes benefit children immensely. Set the stage for success by establishing an early sleep routine when they’re infants. You’ll be grateful later, enjoying uninterrupted episodes of your favorite show instead of reading Goodnight Moon for the umpteenth time.
For more insights, check out our other articles on home insemination and parenting tips, like this one on intracervical insemination or visit Make a Mom for expert advice. And if you’re looking for reliable information on pregnancy, head over to CDC’s infertility resource.
Summary
Early bedtimes are crucial for children’s health and happiness, leading to better focus, memory retention, and overall behavior. Parents should consider implementing sleep training to establish a peaceful evening routine, benefiting both kids and their sanity in the long run.