I’ve been debating whether to share our bedtime routine with you because it’s not exactly parenting at it’s best and I know that lots of you will completely disagree with our bedtimes rules and routine. In the end, I decided to go for it after seeing one of my friends post an update on Facebook tonight about the nightmare night they’ve had trying to get the kids settled in bed.
I want to share what happens in our house on a night because bedtimes are a stress free time for us and have been for a good few years now….
Bedtime
We don’t have set bedtimes here which cuts down on the stress of getting things done by a set time and getting the kids into bed and settled by a certain time for no reason other than that’s the time we’ve set for bed time. My 10 year old is usually in bed with his lights off by 10pm and I usually for my 13 year old to turn her lights off when she’s ready for bed although to be honest, they’re off by 10pm more often than not by her own choice.
Electronics
I know that there was a recent scientific study which concluded that the blue light from electronic devices can have an effect on sleep patterns and although I’m not arguing with this research, I don’t feel that it’s necessary to make the kids turn off their electronics at any point until they’re ready to go to sleep. That’s not to say that they play on electronics all night – they most certainly don’t but they have the option to go on their iPads or watch some TV if they want to.
Food and Drink
Only water and fruit are allowed to be eaten after 8pm but sometimes I make a sneaky hot chocolate for them and we sit at the table and play a quick game together before bed.
Pyjamas
Master Frugal doesn’t own an actual pair of pyjamas! I know, I told you this wasn’t parenting at it’s best. 😉 He wears one of about three football shirts that he classes as pyjamas and a pair of football shorts. Don’t worry though, Miss Frugal has more than enough pyjamas for the both of them.
Family Fun
Last week, Master Frugal and his Dad actually played a game of Fifa on the XBox at 9.30! He’d been waiting up for his Dad to finish work and as they hadn’t seen each other all day, they had a cheeky game of Fifa before bed. We have a variety of quick games to play (Dobble, Uno etc) and we often have a quick game on a night when lots of their friends are in bed.
So what do you think?
I know our bedtime routine wouldn’t work for everyone and definitely not for younger children but it works for us. The kids get enough sleep and always wake up on time as bright and busy tailed as I would expect them to be at 8am.
Don’t miss out on future posts like this – receive updates directly to your inbox by email by adding your email address to the box on the top right of this page and hitting subscribe. You can also follow me on BlogLovin or Networked Blogs and I’d love to see you over on my Facebook page and on Instagram.
Discover more from The Diary of a Frugal Family
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I think we all do what's best for us. This wouldn't work in my house. Mine are all in bed between 6.30 and 8.30pm depending on what's happened that evening but they are up at 6am every day.
It's so interesting to see how other families do it! I don't remember having a bedtime as such when I was little but I must admit I do love it when it's bedtime here and Tom and I get a couple of hours to ourselves, I'm off to bed at 9pm these days though! x
I think you have to do what works best fr you, ignore what everyone else does and go with it.
We have a pretty relaxed bedtime although I do wish all of us would get to bed earlier!
We aren't too stiff on the rules, either, Cass. Emma can watch a bit of Netflix before her bedtime story and she usually get some toast before heading upstairs as I have found that a full tummy makes for longer sleeps :-).xx
Everyone is different aren't they, I am relaxed to some extent in that my eldest goes to bed somewhere between 7 and 8.30 but I find if the girls are much later than 7 then struggle the next day.
Yay! We are relaxed too. My son has autism and although the books say structured works, it doesn't. He goes through spells of bad sleeping but then other times he's fine. He plays music on his iPad to get to sleep.
We have a routine as otherwise the kids are all over the place, plus hubby and I need some us time without small people running about
My now 18 year old would have been up half the night without a bedtime. Even now he really needs his sleep but being away at college, he gets to decide how much is enough. Everyone needs to do what is right for their family. Cheryl
I agree that not having a set bedtime can work wonders! We always try and do things in the same order, so bath, book and bed to help the kids know what's coming but sometimes we do that and they are in bed by 7pm and sometimes they are in bed by 9pm if we have had a crazy busy day. I think it's important to do what works for you x
We have a pretty relaxed bedtime but I like them in bed a lot earlier but my kids are much younger. I like to have some me time in an evening so need a routine to make sure I get to recharge my batteries x
We have a fairly relaxed bedtime here too. Bedtimes are not set in stone but we do get the youngest into bed before 8, although she often asks to go up earlier. We do ask for electronic games and tabs to be turned off in the evening though so they usually watch tv or play draughts or another board game. Anything that reduces the stress levels is great and leads to a better nights sleep.
I think you kn ow that this wouldn't work for me. It might for Maxi who goes off to bed on his own. He did tonight even though I had said they could have a last day of school extension. Mini would be up on electronics all night and would not sleep. The thing is I know that you know your children best and this is what works for you.
I find I can't turn electrics off – I read on my iPad till I go to sleep and actually find it better than a book as I can turn the lights of and relax more. x
It's your house and your rules so it really is up to you but I have to admit, it wouldn't be for me. I think some flexibility is good but my son is 5 and whether he likes to admit it or not, he really does need 11 hours sleep a night and will look tired if he doesn't get it.
There is quite good evidence on looking at screens being bad for sleep. I can certainly testify it's bad for mine! Not everyone is created equal though.
The bedtime of 10pm depends greatly on what time they get up. If they're getting up, not groggy, before an alarm wakes them, it's probably fine. If they're groggy in the morning, it's probably not.
I suppose my views come from a perspective of being an insomniac for years. Insomnia is not only a symptom of poor mental health but can also be a cause. Poor sleep affects concentration and learning as well. If they're not showing signs of this, great. If they are, then it's time to rethink because what is easier for you might not be better for them in the long term.
Love your honesty Cass… I think you have got to do what works for you. All I'm thinking about tbh is that hot chocolate lol… please share the 'recipe' looks better than mine #chocoholic & mum of 2 who'd love it x