I’ve written before about my son’s late night bedtime rituals. He has always been a night owl from the time he was a baby. It fit our schedule so it didn’t really bother us. My ex husband always got home from work late and I’m a night owl myself so as long as he slept in I didn’t really mind too much.
Many have disapprovingly questioned this late bedtime schedule. So I decided to look into it. As I’ve started researching it is no surprise that most sleep specialists say it is best to have the kids to bed early. The late schedule is toughest on Mom and Dad. They just don’t have the energy to deal with kids late at night. However, they also say that as long as they are going to bed at the same time every night and getting enough sleep overall that is the most important factor in kids having good quality sleep.
Once the children are in school the late bedtime isn’t very feasible anymore. They can’t possibly get enough sleep and still be up early enough to make it to the bus on time. The earlier you start the transition the easier it will be on everyone. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that children between 2 and 3 should get between 9 and 13 hours of sleep each night. Children between 3 and 5 should get around 10 to 12 hours and those between 5 and 12 should get at least 8 hours each night. If you are working on transitioning your child into an earlier bedtime it is best to do it gradually. Pushing it back even 15 minutes a night can help your child ease into the new schedule. Avoid stimulating activities right before bedtime. Have a set routine that is soothing and helps your child prepare for rest; give them a bath, read stories together, tuck them in, sing a song, whatever works best for you and your child. Be patient, your child may resist the changes to his schedule at first, but if the more you stick to it the easier it will become.