Once upon a time, in a house not so far away, bedtime used to be a well-orchestrated affair. My children had a delightful routine that included a bath, a favored show, some playful antics, a cozy song, a story to wind down, and then the much-anticipated lights-out. While it wasn’t flawless—after all, kids don’t always drift off into dreamland the moment the door clicks shut—I felt a sense of accomplishment in our well-structured evening. All the parenting guides advocate for establishing a nightly routine, and ours felt as solid as bedrock. Not even a mythical titan could shake it.
Then came the summer, and everything changed.
With my partner, Alex, clocking in longer hours at work, dinnertime shifted later. Bath time followed suit, and the sun, that pesky orb, decided to stick around until well past 8 p.m. Consequently, storytime got pushed further back, too. Before I knew it, my little ones were staying up past 9 (or even 10) o’clock, skipping the cherished song, and I was left bewildered as to how it had all unraveled.
Bedtime had morphed into a bit of a farce, and to my surprise, I found myself enjoying the chaos.
Sure, there are evenings when I dream of having them asleep by 7:30. Which parent wouldn’t want that luxury? And yes, the comfort of a consistent routine sounds appealing at times. However, rigid schedules don’t always yield the desired results. Even with a strict plan, there’s no assurance that kids will comply and be sound asleep when you finally sit down to relax. So, instead of battling with the kids over bedtime, we’ve embraced the opportunity to relish our evenings together.
Typically, my children retire when they hit the point of sheer exhaustion, or when Alex and I can no longer handle the delightful chaos of four-year-old shenanigans. This flexible approach to bedtime has granted us a new level of freedom in our evenings. Late-night grocery runs? No problem! We can head out without worrying about disrupting a carefully timed schedule. If Alex’s work keeps him late, the kids still get to spend precious moments with him upon his return, which means the world to us all.
When we’re at friends’ homes and the kids are having a blast, there’s no pressure to keep glancing at the clock, anxious that we might unleash a bedtime disaster. The best part? They often sleep in until 8 or 9 in the morning, so those dreaded 5 a.m. wake-ups have become a thing of the past, leaving this mom feeling pretty thrilled.
Soon, school will be on the horizon, and with it, the need for a more structured routine. Bedtime will take on greater significance for their development and academic success, which means less quality time for us as a family. So while this carefree phase lasts, I’m choosing to embrace it. I’ll soak up those late-night cuddles, enjoy sleeping in with them, and cherish these moments while I can. No more stressful bedtime rituals—just us, enjoying each other’s company.
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Summary
In a household where bedtime was once a structured routine, changes brought about by summer and longer work hours led to a more relaxed, flexible approach. Rather than stressing over strict schedules, the family embraced late-night bonding and spontaneity, realizing that these moments were precious. As they prepare for the inevitable school routine, they choose to savor the present.