If bedtime feels like a battleground in your home, know that you’re not alone. For parents, sleep is a precious commodity, yet countless kids seem oblivious to this fact, resisting it fiercely night after night. While the reasons behind their reluctance to embrace the luxury of drifting off into slumber remain a mystery (perhaps it’s FOMO?), bedtime struggles are a universal experience for children of all ages.
Some parents face full-blown tantrums that rival Olympic events, while others contend with expert stallers. You know the type: the little ones who suddenly require a plethora of drinks, a multitude of bedtime stories, and an endless list of “very important tasks” before they can finally settle down—only to spring back up from bed multiple times afterward. If you’re a parent of a toddler or older child, you know all too well how Herculean the task of getting them to sleep can be.
Confessionals from the Trenches
Confessional #25810984: “Oh dear god, may my toddler never remember what an impatient, raging lunatic I’ve turned into during this pandemic. Naptime and bedtime are a nightmare. I hate that I lose my cool, but I feel like I’m at my breaking point. HELP!”
Confessional #25809083: “Bedtime at my house is a two-hour saga. Anyone else in the same boat?”
Confessional #25801142: “Sometimes, the partners (*cough* cishet men *cough*) are worse than the kids.”
Confessional #25804736: “Every Sunday has become a nightmare. It’s all about him—his uniform, his lunch, his bedtime routine. He contributes nothing, and I just can’t take it anymore.”
Confessional #25802911: “H is late coming home again. I think he’s avoiding bath and storytime. It’s the only responsibility he has with the kids he wanted. I feel like a house slave, which I vowed I would never be.”
Confessional #25796501: “I have three kids, but my oldest is not dependable to help with the younger two. He can’t figure out bedtime or meals, even with clear instructions. And yes, my oldest is also sadly my husband.”
Confessional #25786895: “Raise your hand if you’ve ever resorted to giving your child a melatonin gummy out of sheer desperation.”
Confessional #25799027: “Bedtime is officially the worst part of parenting. Had I known it would be this miserable every night, I might’ve reconsidered having kids.”
Confessional #25794288: “Tonight was a nightmare; I almost slapped my toddler to sleep. Seriously, 2.5 hours? Are you an owl?!”
Confessional #25786761: “If you have multiple kids, you are braver than the troops! I can’t even manage to enforce screen time or bedtime without losing my mind.”
Confessional #25779118: “I truly despise bedtime; the little ones just run around. GO TO SLEEP!!!”
Confessional #25778665: “My 2.6-year-old fights naps and bedtimes ferociously. I spent TWO HOURS lying next to her while she resisted sleep. I’m at my wit’s end!”
While it’s well-known that children need ample sleep to develop healthy habits, getting them to actually settle down can feel impossible for many parents.
Confessional #25769391: “I’m a weed-after-bedtime mom, and I’m not ashamed of it.”
Confessional #25763632: “My son wouldn’t stay in bed tonight. I snapped and ended up hitting myself out of frustration. I feel terrible.”
Confessional #25763000: “Dear husband, if you want some affection tonight, yelling at the kids to hurry up during bedtime is a total turn-off.”
Establishing regular bedtime routines can help ease the situation, as predictability lowers anxiety for both kids and parents. Yet many moms are tired of trying to stick to these rituals.
Confessional #25762756: “Am I the only one whose kids hear ‘bedtime’ and instantly decide to fight? Why can’t I just have one peaceful night without a battle?”
Confessional #25758977: “I follow the same bedtime routine every night. Why does it sometimes work like magic and other times just totally fail? Right now, we’re in a NOT working phase, and I’m losing it. GO TO SLEEP!”
Cheers to all the bedtime struggles, tantrums, and delays. At least you’re not in this alone, right?
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In summary, bedtime can be a chaotic and exhausting ordeal for many parents, with tantrums, stalling, and frustration being common themes. While some families manage to establish routines that work, others find themselves in nightly battles that leave them feeling defeated. The experience is universal, and it’s a reminder that you’re not alone in these struggles.