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Well, we have come to the time in our lives where our oldest, 9, is ready to stay up later than the other kids. His 7 year old brother doesn’t like it. “Mom, Why does he get to stay up later than me?” is the question that we were getting. He had to go to bed at 7:00 – the same time as his 5 and 3 year old siblings, so his question was completely reasonable.
Jack, 9, doesn’t need to go to bed at 7:00 and wake up at 7:00 anymore. He is taking longer to fall asleep at night and we know that he can handle an 30 minutes to an extra hour of awake-time.
Our solution is simple. Every night, they all go to their rooms at 7:00 (unless sports keeps them out later, which is does two nights a week). Mickey and I both tuck in Ethan, 5 and Allie, 3. While we are doing this, the older boys are in their own rooms. Next we tuck in our 7 year old. This has already given him an extra 10 minutes to read or look at a book in his room, while his younger siblings were being put to bed (in his eyes, he is staying up later than them).
Lastly, we go to Jack’s room and we tell him that he can read until 8:00. (Jack could seriously read books ALL day long- he reads for about two hours a day, minimum. I bought him 5 chapter books this week and I only expect it to last him about 2 weeks, at the most.). I love to read, as well, so I can understand his love for books.
Here I am with our older two boys (Jack & Beau)…
Anyway- this has completely solved the issue. No one complains about not staying up late anymore, because they are all in their rooms at the same time. Beau, our 7 year old, knows that Jack is reading, but he doesn’t care because Jack isn’t downstairs hanging out, watching TV or playing games… he is in his bed, reading.
It is a win-win for both of them.
Hope this helped!
Ps- if your kids are waking up too early, try this:
