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Why I put my kids to bed at 7:00 … it is a hot topic, that’s for sure! When our children were younger, we had all of our kids in bed around 7:00 every night. They were asleep around 7:30 every night.
UPDATE: This post was written several years ago in 2014, when our kids were much younger, but I believe that it is important. We still maintain a regular bedtime, but they no longer go to bed as early as they once did.
I owe so many well-rested nights and happy children during the day to the fact that we have a regular and early bedtime for our children. In fact, many Dutch parents put their kids to bed between 6:00 & 7:00 for very similar reasons that we have an early bedtime.
Before I begin- remember that although this works for us, it is not for everyone. As with all of my advice, do what works best for your family. ♥
Our kids (ages 2-9) are in bed by 7:00
Yes, our young children are in bed at 7:00. It is 2014, and my children range from 2 years old to 9 years old. Our 9 year old now goes to bed at 8:00, because he is older and needs less sleep. Until they are 9 years old, 7:00 remains their bedtime.
Last week, a fellow blogger shared my post about what to do when your 2 year old is still waking at night. In the post I talked about our early bedtime and gave some life-changing advice for our toddler that was waking up. That post led someone to leave the comment “Who puts their kid to bed at 7:00 pm?”
WE DO.
Yes, We have received mixed feedback about this, but it works for us. I know that 7:00 is early. I know that it cuts into their day, but I can tell you that I would rather have happy kids for 12 hours a day than tired or grumpy kids for 13 hours a day. (Our older kids wake up at 7:00 no matter what time they go to sleep. Really!)
Playing hard in the day makes kids tired by bedtime!
Our four YOUNG kids play hard during the day. They run around a lot and they spend a lot of time outside with us.
They are busy in the day, so they are tired when 7:00 rolls around.
They DO NOT nap anymore and they are just plain worn out by the evening, even if they don’t want to admit it (and they never do! haha!)
We have tried to push this back when we are on vacation, but they just aren’t as relaxed and easy-going the next day. They are a little more on edge, just like we are (as adults) when we don’t get the rest that we need. I put them to bed early because I want them to be smiling & ready to take on the day. 🙂
Plus- the are usually asleep in 5-15 minutes, so I know they are tired.
Do they ever stay up late?
YES! Once a month they each stay up late for Their Special Night. Plus, every night, our oldest son gets to have Read-Alone time in his room before bed, too. Or they can read their spelling words while they fall asleep with this little hack.
If that have football or wrestling, they are up even later, but we AIM for an early bedtime! Our younger children have a really hard time waking up for school at 7:00 am when he doesn’t get his full 12 hours of sleep, so I do try to get him to bed as early as possible.
I want him to be able to focus at school, be energetic in play and at his sports and be happy at home! This little chart can help you to know how much sleep they truly need…
Kidshealth.org says:
“Most kids between 5 and 12 get about 9.5 hours a night, but experts agree that most need more. When your body doesn’t have enough hours to rest, you may feel tired or cranky, or you may be unable to think clearly. You might have a hard time following directions, or you might have an argument with a friend over something really silly. A school assignment that’s normally easy may feel impossible, or you may feel clumsy playing your favorite sport or instrument.
Sleep Impacts Growth & Health
One more reason to get enough sleep: If you don’t, you may not grow as well. That’s right, researchers believe too little sleep can affect growth and your immune system — which keeps you from getting sick.” All in all- sleep is important! Your kids need it, even if they don’t WANT it.”
Do you have time with them in the evening?
I am not saying that this is right for everyone, so please hear me out. My husband and I both work from home, so this works for us. Two of our kids stay home with us during the day, and our older children go to school until 3:30. We have plenty of family time daily from 3:30 until bedtime.
Before my husband worked from home, I used to have the kids showered and in their pajamas before he got home, to give us more time together. Remember that it is quality over quantity.
Does it happen every night?
7:00 bedtime does not happen every single night, but it’s our goal every night. Most nights, one of our kids will be at practice until 8:00, so of course bedtime is later on that night.
Sometimes, it’s even earlier than 7:00. A few years ago, when my youngest kids were 3 & 5, they would fall asleep in the car at 6:00 on our way to drop the older kids off at practice… and I just take them up to bed and they slept ALL NIGHT LONG. They never woke up during the transition to bed. I know it’s crazy, but when I try to wake them, they are NOT happy, so on those nights, I just let it go.
It’s good for your marriage:
My husband and I see each other all day long while we work from home or while we are spending time with the kids, but at night we have time to watch a show, play a board game, etc…
Now, I am not saying that this is why we put them to bed early or that it is why we started, because it’s not, but we do enjoy that time together. Did you know that the #1 fear of preteens and teenagers is divorce among their parents? Quality time together, with your spouse, reduces this risk greatly.Make it a point to tell your children that you are going to spend time with your spouse.
Children Need Sleep
Remember- our bedtime certainly isn’t for everyone, but it works for us. It is healthy for our kids to get that amount of sleep and it helps them overall. Quality sleep + healthy foods make a huge difference for children (and adults).
On the other hand…
I wanted to share a story, for those of you that have a late bedtime. My very dear, long-time friend, Julia, has always had a late bedtime and her children follow her lead. They stay up well past 10:00 and it works for them. They sleep in every morning and they are happy, healthy, smart children. Her children are the same ages as mine. I know that I need to wait until 11:00 or later to talk to her on the phone. 🙂
All of that to say that this is what works for us, but it is up to you to find out what works best for your family.
I hope this helped to shed a little light on families with early bedtimes. Sleep well… no matter the time!♥
our two year old has had a 7:00 bedtime for over a year now. It has worked out so well for us! We recently started pushing it until 7:30 because he is still napping during the day and was starting to wake very early when put to bed at 7:00. Our 3 month old nurses and goes down right after we get her brother in bed. If we stretch them because we aren’t home or have guests we really pay for it the next day in their moods. Everything is more difficult and stressful if they aren’t well rested.
Same here!!
My 15 year old has a very busy athletic schedule. But we are almost always home by 7:00pm. He goes to bed at 9:00pm almost every night. His friends are up till 10,11,12. He is up at 6:00am. Kids study and play hard they need there sleep.
wow thanks for this post! I thought I was alone in putting my daughter to bed at 7:30. Unless her volleyball game is later which only 1 game a week or wednesday church which ends at 730. When we get home it is straight to bed. People get shocked when (afterthey ask) I tell them she is in bed at 730. Mine is one of thise who needs alot of sleep in order to get up in the mornings for school and be at school on time. Thanks for the article
🙂 Mine, too!
Both my boys were in bed early when they were this age, especially once they started school. My kids were done with naps by the time they were 2. My kids did get teased from time to time for having a bed time, but they were also the only ones that never missed the school bus or over slept and hardly got sick. No one knows your kids needs better than you. What may work for some may not work for others.
I couldn’t agree with this post more! And I have to admit that my son actually went to bed at 5:45 for a few months… 🙂
We’ve always done early bedtimes, sometimes to my kids’ dismay. We’ve always had to get them up around 6:15am each morning so early bedtimes are a must. However, what is probably more important is the consistency factor. There is so much research to support the need for a regular bedtime for kids and adults. We were those parents who’d leave an event in order to get our kids home in time for nap or bedtime. It was not always convenient but necessary. Kids thrive on routine. Thanks for sharing!
I have a 3 year old and I started doing this since she was 6 month old. I started at 8pm and by 18 month she stopped napping so I changed it to 7pm. Some people think I’m crazy but that works wonders for me, and I know that’s the best for her.
Me, too! 🙂
Hi there, I know this is an old post but I just wanted to say “YAY!”. I’ve never encountered anyone that puts their kids to bed early so kinda excited to see your post! lol. For us it just makes sense (my husband only realised how much sense it made when the kids stayed up late and were just so emotional the next few days!). As you say, even if the kids go to bed late they always tend to wake up early (ours at 6am). People are often questioning me about putting my 2 kids to bed at 6:30 (asleep by 7). I’m never vocal about it but I wonder why others don’t. My niece (6) gets extremely tired yet my sister puts her to bed at 8:30 when in fact she is fine going to bed at 6:30 when she sleeps at our house and is so much more energised in the morning. My daughters best friend (4) goes to bed at 9:30pm and I just wonder when the parents get quiet time together!? He is always rushed to get to preschool in the morning as he sleeps in late also. I’m so happy with the sleeping habits we have formed and I love that they get up early as it allows for homework etc to be done when they are fresh and energised in the morning. So, basically just wanted to say thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks!!! 🙂
my son is 3 he is in bed lights out by 8:30pm. he wakes up between 7am and 7:30am every morning and naps from 1:30pm to 3pm-3:30pm everyday. the longer naps happen more in the summer when we can run around outside. he’s very well behaved and helpful. we spent time figuring out the best schedule for everyone in the house and this has turned out to be how he sleeps the most. we are going with the times that provide maximum sleep. 🙂
🙂
What a great article! Thanks for encouraging parents to go with an early bedtime for their kids. Growing up I always had to be in bed by 7ish (I even liked an early bedtime when I was in college!). As a single mom I was up at 4:30 or 5am and my daughter was at school/daycare by 7:30 then not home till 6 or 6:30 with dinner, homework and bathtime. I wanted to spend more time with my daughter but I couldn’t so I made regular things like fixing dinner, eating, bathtime our special time, making it fun. I always took time to read a few fun books and Gods word every night without fail. She did have one late night at choir each week. She needed the sleep and got quite crabby without it (I did too). She never did well with sleepovers and we couldn’t do evening activities any night past 8 (never!). It was tough socially but it’s what we had to do. She was always very healthy. Now she is an adult single mom and doesn’t like early bedtimes. She’s not the healthiest anymore and her daughter always has dark circles under her eyes -sigh- (but she’s healthy and thriving). I try not to nag her with the early-to-bed speech but it’s hard because I really believein it. (Maybe she’ll read this article. 🙂 ).
On the other hand I know some parents who have late night jobs (pro sports, entertainment business, food service) they don’t get home till midnight and certainly don’t want to get up at 7am! So their kids go to bed late and sleep later.
AND those kids and babies some people here have seen at Walmart at midnight often have parents who work in food service (dishwashers, servers, etc). They don’t get off work till 11pm or later, are too poor to have a babysitter stay with their kids at home so they have to pick up their kids after work and occasionally have to stop at the store for groceries since they might have just gotten paid.
Like you said…..whatever works for you.
LOl. Maybe she’ll read it when she’s a mom. 😉
Hi, I love the idea of this but I seriously struggle with my 3 girls (8,6 and 3). They all sleep in the same room (no option on that one we don’t have the space) and although they are all in bed by 7.30 they muck around and play (even though they have no toys in the room they sleep in, we keep them in another room). We have tried all manor of trick, tips, star chart out right bribery but to no avail….. generally they only crash around 10pm which is ridicules in my book. They the sleep till 8 or 9am (if I let them). We have tried waking them at 6.30am but still despite doing this for a few weeks, 10pm still is crash point. Any ideas greatly appreciated. x
I work on my computer until they fall asleep, if they are sharing a room (so about 15 min in there before they all fall asleep). If I leave them alone, they would stay up for hours just talking!
Very helpful thanks
I have four children aged 1yr 3 yrs 4yrs and 5yrs, they are all in bed and fast asleep by half 5 / 6, they need get up at 7 and are non stop all day, they need lots of sleep or they get cranky the next day
I love putting my son to bed early! I use to think it was just me and some parents are usually surprise that my son goes to bed that early. I totally agree with your reasoning why a earlier bed time is better. A happier, and healthier child is the best. Keep doing what you do! Great message to many parents who may want to consider an earlier bedtime for their kids.
My son who is 19 months goes to bed at 6.30 to 7 for the same reasons he always wakes up by 7 and cranky if goes to bed later than that so I totally agree with you