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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!♥
100% agree!
I adopted a sibling group of girls ages 18 months, 3 and 4 about 3 years ago and their bed time is 7:30 pm every night and they get woken up for school at 7:30 am every day. Some days they are awake when I go in others they are out cold. They do not fall right to sleep at 7:30 but they are winding down after their very busy, active, and fun days. This was done by their previous care givers and highly recommended by the social workers and medical staff and I stay at home, hubby works nights so it does work for us.
We do have our nights where we are out at an activity and we will stay up late (Hockey games, ball games, etc) but they are always on the weekends so as to not affect the girls sleep patterns for school.
🙂
Brandi
Yes- I agree. It really helps. Our middle son takes a little longer to fall asleep, but he just looks at his spelling words while he is falling asleep (they are on the wall by his bed) 🙂
8pm for us. 7 would have them up way too early. I still have 2-3 hours of adult/quiet time after that and most days I get an hour in the morning before they wake up. Putting them to bed early would just mean waking up earlier and then going to bed earlier myself. They get 11 hours still and still have an hour to get ready for the school bus (although they’re homeschooled now). I couldn’t imagine putting them to bed earlier. Before homeschooling my daughter didn’t get home from school until 4:30. Give an hour for homework, then dinner and hopefully spending time with mom and dad and then they’d have to go to bed if bedtime were 7pm. No time for fun or just being a kid.
Wow- 4:30 is later than our kids get home. They are done with school at 3. 🙂
Couldn’t agree more! Good for you momma! I have two boys, 9 & 5 and we start our bedtime routine at 7pm. Sometimes they are both out by 7:30, for sure by 8! They get up about 6:30. Happy mom because I get some time alone at night and happy kids because they are getting the rest they so desperately need! Win, win!!!!
We’re a homeschooling/unschooling family. As such, our children don’t have to get up at a certain time to get ready for school…but they still have a bedtime. The time has been changed as they’ve gotten older (from 7:30 a couple of years ago to 8:30 now), but it’s still a bedtime.
See, we know that our 8-year-old will only sleep until 7:00 in the morning most days, even if she hasn’t fallen asleep until 11:00. And she WILL NOT lie down during the day. Will. Not. So, she needs to go to bed by 8:30.
We also know it’s very important to our 6-year-old that she get up before her Daddy goes off to work. So she has to be in bed by 8:30, too.
Even if these weren’t true, we’d still instil a bedtime for them, because night is the only time we have to be a couple. One thing both our old pediatrician and our pastor told us when we had our first was that we had to make our marriage a priority. They both pointed out that, if we didn’t do so our relationship would surely suffer, and without our relationship our children would suffer. We are extremely committed to our children, and to each other, so this is very important to us.
I feel the need to establish that I’m not dissing single parents, or single parenthood. I know many people who make it work, but it’s not ideal for us. We believe *our children* are better off with both of us.
I completely agree – sleep is so important! I have 4 kids between the ages of 5 and 11, and they are in bed at 8pm. Fall/winter sports have them up until 9ish once a week. During the spring/summer, they are usually up until at least 9pm because of sports. But, we homeschool and our school routine begins after breakfast so it varies daily. My kids usually sleep 11 hours. My husband gets up for work between 1 and 4am so an early bedtime is a must.
My children are adults but as toddlers bedtime was between 6-7:00, preschool-elementary no later than 8:00 depending on sports and homework. Middle school no later than 9:00. I had one night owl and one who was in bed as early as possible. We also had no TV during the week except for special events. No computers or other electronics in their rooms. My night owl has a PhD and is a professor at a university. My sleepy head is the head of his department at a major internet communications company. I wouldn’t change a thing.
We are the same way- no electronics in their bedrooms. 🙂
Congrats on your childrens’ accomplishments- that is AMAZING!
Agreed! We also have 4 kids (also 3 boys & a girl) and have put our kids to bed at 7pm since the first one was born and continue to do so even now (& don’t plan on changing soon!) it makes all the difference to them, as well as to my husband & I (we need our quality time too!) thanks for posting, glad to know I’m not the only one out there. 🙂 Keep up the great posts, I find that we are very similar and reading your posts are like a pat on the back after some of those longer days. You’re awesome!
🙂 Thanks! haha- then I guess you are awesome, too! 😉
Ha! I can’t imagine my kids in bed at 7. Maybe I should try it though. :).
My oldest is on the bus at 6:45. He goes to bed at 8. It has been going very well. My kids have always gone to bed between 8-8:30 and are usually up at 7:30. Sleep is definitely important and I will make them take naps if they are crabby. Even if it means they are awake until 9 or later. They are always in bed by 8:30. All 3 share a room, so if they are not tired they aren’t going to fall asleep anyway. It doesn’t matter what I try, if they are not tired enough then they are going to keep each other awake.
Routines are important, but I also feel that flexibility is important.
And for the 6:45 bus time? How many people have to leave for work by 7 in the morning? I believe I am teaching my kids a good work ethic by making them get up early.
8:00 is still great!
6:45 am for the bus is SO early! Our nephew has to do that, too, but our kids don’t get on the bus until 8:10. 🙂
You’re doing a great job.
I like the idea putting the kids to bed early. But, for my 7 years old son that’s impossible especially during the exams week. He will go to bed around 9-9.30pm. But most of the time I try to put them to bed early. I need the extra time at night to finish my work and some quiet time. Besides, my boys need to wake up as early as 5.45-6.00am the next day for school. My six years old and my 4 years old always cranky when they have to wake up early. School start at 7am. Try my best to spend time helping with their homeworks in the afternoon. Let them play after that for an hour or two. I believe if they have enough sleep, they performed better in schools.
Absolutely! There are many studies to prove it. 🙂
SOLIDARITY SISTER! You would think it was child abuse or parental insanity to see the looks I get when I tell people our kids go to bed “early.” Such a great, healthy routine for all of us! I’ve shared our early bedtime routine, too, and I think it is so valuable! Thanks for sharing this!
g i n a
hahaha! yes- me, too!
Very good points! My 4 years old sleeps by 8:00 pm. She gets up by herself at 7 am. I do try to put her to sleep earlier.
I LOVE this!!!! I hope you don’t mind if we share this (and you) to our Facebook Fan page! I am in complete agreement and think this post will definitely help some of our mammas out!
aww- thank you. 🙂
We used to put our kids to bed at 7-7:30 consistently. SLEEP is so important for kids at all ages. But also, because I was stay at home mom for years and after 12-14 hour days with them, I was ready for some ‘mommy time and time with my spouse after dinners and time with daddy. We used to get the ‘why do they go to bed so early’ as well, but I’ve learned that what works for your family, may not work for me and we all have to do what works. Some of my friends put their kids to bed much later bc the husband doesn’t get home until late, and he’d never see the kids otherwise, and I completely understand that. I love learning about other family traditions, what works for them. Great post, and thanks for sharing!
I am so glad to see this. I am so judged by other parents for putting our little girl to bed at 7:00. She is a scheduled little girl and that works for her and us. She too plays hard all day. She loves to run and get into things. She loves being outside and I try to take her out as often as possible. My husband and I need our adult time in the evening to connect or just relax. I love your blogs and it is so refreshing to see other moms on the same page as us.
THank you!
I see nothing wrong with an early bedtime. My 10 year old daughter goes to bed at 8. We recently decided to give 8:30 a try, but it was difficult to get her up for school, so we went back to an 8pm bedtime. I do let her stay up a little later on the weekends.
You tell ’em, sister!
I truly believe sleeping is equally important to eating. My kids (3 and 4) are in bed between 6:30 and 7 and sleep 12 hours every night. Not only is this a very healthe routine for them it prooved essential for me and my husband to find the much needed time to talk and spend time together.
Are you too funny!