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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!♥
In reference to laying down with your child at night I’m all for it. My youngest son passed away at 21 months due to a drowning accident. My oldest son was 6 yrs old at the time. His dad is a physician in the ER so when he goes to work he’s usually gone for 24-46 hrs. My son likes for us to lay down with him at night. So we do. We are not guaranteed tomorrow therefore I’m going to take advantage of every moment I have with my son. He is now 14 1/2 and I still lay down with him at night. Actually he sleeps with me on the nights his dad has to work all night. I love the bond that we have and wouldn’t change anything about it.
Oh my goodness- my heart aches for you. I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing. I hope that when our kids are 14, they still want me to lay with them.
I think it is great that you do that and it works for your family. I too value the time I get with my husband in the evening. We put our 4 year old son to bed around 7.30. We are just transitioning out of naps and it is so difficult. Anything later than that and it isn’t pleasant for any of us! (Especially because I’m homeschooling! Mama’s done by then!) Kids need lots of sleep! Also, in a society centered around our children, I find it very important to set aside child-free time to invest in my marriage. There is still plenty of ‘daddy’ time every day and on the weekend. There is no perfect balance.
I am so glad someone else does this. I do the same thing. I have a 5 yr old and a 10 yr old they go to bed every night at 7 pm. They have done this since they were born. Every one of my neighbors who has kids just gawk at me, but you know what, I value my kids and think they function much better when they get their sleep. We have a schedule and we tend to keep it, we do have nights that they don’t go to bed on time those are hockey game nights and believe me I see what they are like on the days after they don’t get a full night’s sleep. I home school the kids so I am with them all day and they learn in inter-active lessons and they play hard after learning is done and they are (just like you kids worn out and tired) by 7pm. So, I know where you are coming from and I applaud what you are doing for your marriage and your children!
Cudos to you for doing what is right for you. I see NOTHING wrong what so ever with 7pm bedtmes for children. Perhaps and 8 year can have an extra hour up but I personally wouldn’t be extending that to 10pm or later. Kid’s need their sleep. Sleeping time is growing, healing and recharging time. You time and/or hubby time…so very, very necessary as well….this also keeps you fresh and well adjusted
As a newbie parent how can I make this a priority? How do you suggest getting them to bed so early?
As a newbie parent how can I make this a priority? How do you suggest getting them to bed so early?
When our babies were babies (they are older now), we used to have them on a routine and we stuck to it… I read a book that said “Start with which you want to go by” that meant do now what you want to do later. 🙂
you don’t need to justify why you out your kids to bed at a completely reasonable hour.
I love this! We’ve been doing this from the beginning with out kids for the exact same reason. I don’t get why people think we’re crazy! It’s good for the kids and good for the patents!
I have 2 children a girl aged 11 and a boy aged 7, my youngest is on bed by 7:15 at the latest (with no arguments) and asleep by 8, my daughter is in bed by half seven and asleep by half eight after she has read. They both are awake by half seven in the morning. They are both highly active children and are more than ready to go to bed at these times. It is down to you as a parent to decide what is best for your children and as long as they are happy, healthy and loved who are we to judge other people .
Our kids are always in bed by 7 – I try for 6.30, but realistically it’s 7pm… they’re early risers and nothing I can do will stop that – their Dad is too so i’m blaming genetics… the early starts (i’m talking 5am or 5.30am) is rough, but I find I enjoy waking up and getting going more, when I know i’ll get a few hours to myself in the evening to put my feet up and devour a book or watch some adult tv…
haha!! 🙂
Wow I love this post! I am expecting my first baby in 5 months and will take any parenting advice I can get. I was a nanny for 5 years and I was always annoyed at the parents who let 3-7 year olds stay up until 9:30. Really? Sometimes MY bedtime is 9:30! I totally agree with kids going to bed RIGHT after dinner. My routine with some kids was, take a bath, get in jammies, eat dinner, watch a ltitle bit of a show while we cleaned up dinner, then read and went to bed. I like that routine a lot!
OH- read the Baby Whisperer – it was my FAVORITE baby book!
We always put our kids to bed at 7 until they went to kindergarten. They’re early risers no matter what, so going to bed early allowed them to get the sleep they needed. #saturdaysharefest
I agree with you completely. Our children are now grown but we followed the same type of routine when they were growing up. Even my sister couldn’t understand the early bedtime. She was not a morning person so she wanted her children to sleep later therefore kept them up later. We had a beach house and even on vacations there was children’s “hour” and adult “hour.” I was also a SAHM and loved it! I would encourage anyone to put aside their wants and concentrate on their needs; they would be surprised how quickly they could also have that luxury. The memories of dinner together at the dinner table are very different from the ones made at McDonald’s on their way home from work.
I agree- Its definitely easier than people think. 🙂 Our kids are just ready for bed by that time – if they know it or not. Even our 8 year old was sound asleep by 7:15 tonight and he will sleep until 7:00 tomorrow morning. 🙂 Their bodies adjust and they really do well with the 12 hours of sleep.
Great article! I cannot tell you how many times We’ve been criticized for putting our child to bed at 7:00 (a.k.a. a decent hour for our family)! I mean, he’s only 3! You took the words right out of my mouth. Thanks for this article; and it’s nice to know we are not alone.
My boys are in bed by 9 on a week night. They are 11 & 12. It started with me telling them it was bedtime. Now my oldest just goes to bed without me saying anything. He gets up at 5:45 to get ready for school. My youngest needs to be waken up. On weekends they are in bed by 10 or 11. Sometimes I am begging them to go to bed earlier. (I teach kindergarten and am exhausted by 5 pm on a Friday night. Lol) During the summer we stay up really late but we also sleep in.
Oh- I taught Kindergarten at one point, too. 🙂