Once upon a time, my little ones followed a delightful bedtime routine. They would enjoy a warm bath, catch an episode of their favorite show, play for a bit, sing a sweet lullaby, read a story, and then it was lights out. While it wasn’t always guaranteed that they’d drift off immediately after I closed the door, I felt like I was nailing this parenting thing. I mean, every parenting book emphasizes the importance of a structured bedtime routine, and mine was as solid as a fortress—impenetrable, even.
Then summer rolled in, and everything went haywire.
With my partner, Jake, working longer hours, he was getting home later. Dinner time got pushed back, followed by bath time, and suddenly the sun was setting at 8 p.m. Our cherished storytime turned into a late-night affair. Before I knew it, my kids were staying up until 9 or even 10 o’clock, and we had skipped right past the lullabies.
It dawned on me that bedtime had transformed into a bit of a joke, and surprisingly, I was okay with it.
Sure, there are evenings when I wish they’d be asleep by 7:30, like every other parent, right? And yes, the appeal of a consistent routine does have its merits. But I’ve realized that a rigid schedule isn’t always the magical solution. Even the best-laid plans can go awry, and there’s no guarantee your kids will stick to them and fall asleep before your favorite show starts. So, instead of battling them over bedtime, we decided to relish those evening hours together.
Most nights, my kids hit the hay when they’re clearly exhausted or when Jake and I have reached our limit of toddler antics. This flexible approach has given us the freedom to enjoy our evenings. Late-night grocery trips? No problem! There’s no need to worry about the clock ticking past 7 p.m. because the kids can stay up as late as we need. If Jake is working late, the kids still get quality time with him when he comes home, which means the world to all of us.
When we’re out at friends’ houses enjoying the evening, there’s no frantic glancing at the clock, fearing we’ll unleash a bedtime meltdown. And the cherry on top? They sleep in until 8 or 9 most mornings now! No more 5 a.m. wake-up calls, which leaves this mom feeling quite pleased.
Soon enough, they’ll be in school, and routine will become more critical for their development and success. Their schedules will dictate when they sleep and for how long, leaving me with less time to savor their company. So while I have this glorious phase of flexible living, I’m choosing to embrace it. I’ll take those late-night cuddles, cherish our sleep-ins, and soak up every moment of their presence. Goodbye to stressful bedtime rituals—I’m going to enjoy this while it lasts!
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In summary, while bedtime routines may have derailed in our household, I’ve found a new appreciation for the freedom and flexibility this brings. Embracing the chaos has allowed us to form lasting memories, and I’m ready to savor these moments before life inevitably shifts into a more structured pace.