As a child, I remember two girls whose bedtime was set at a strict 7:30 p.m. — they were only 5 and 7 years old. Fast forward to now, and if my own kids, ages 5 and 7, have finished their nighttime snack by 7:30, I might just faint from disbelief. On a good day, we might wrap up the bedtime routine by 8:30 p.m., but that’s a rarity. Sure, there have been moments when one of them has dozed off by 7 p.m. after an early start to the day, but mostly, my children are true night owls. They don’t start winding down until around 9:30 p.m., and instead of forcing them to sleep, we simply get them into pajamas by then and finish the bedtime routine by 10 p.m. And sometimes, if they’re engrossed in Lego builds and playing well together, bedtime stretches to 11 p.m. — and I’m perfectly fine with that.
We aren’t alone in this. For every parent who has their kids tucked in by 8 p.m. sharp, there are those of us blessed (or cursed, depending on the day) with little night owls. Unfortunately, many of us feel hesitant to speak up about it. Society has this notion that children should have an early bedtime, typically somewhere between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Anything beyond that is often seen as a sign of a chaotic household.
What Are Our Kids Doing So Late?
For us, it’s just an extension of their day. They play, build, and sometimes make a mess in their rooms, which we’ll deal with later. Right now, as I write this at 7:15 p.m., they are racing around with the airplanes they just assembled while simultaneously watching Animaniacs. It’s just what they do. They eat dinner, they keep playing, and then the inevitable question arises: when do parents get their alone time?
Well, for those of us raising night owls, we often end up being night owls ourselves to keep pace with our kids. We hang out with them during playtime, and after they finally settle down for the night, we have our own time to relax. We tackle chores while they’re still awake because if we waited for them to sleep, nothing would ever get done — or we’d miss out on our own downtime.
The Struggle with Bedtime
People often suggest we should try to enforce a “better” bedtime routine. Trust me, every parent of a night owl has attempted this. We’ve put them to bed, only for them to either sneak off to play or call out for water or bathroom breaks every few minutes. And let’s not forget those nights where we’re left sitting beside them, enduring endless kicking and crying. It’s not fun for anyone.
So, we’ve largely given up on enforcing a strict bedtime. We’ve learned to let them get up or, at the very least, we’ve stopped fighting them until they’re genuinely tuckered out, which for my kids is usually closer to 9:30 or 10 p.m. Once they hit the pillow, my 7-year-old is out in moments, while my 3-year-old snuggles into my arms before drifting off. The 5-year-old takes a little longer but is usually asleep within 15 minutes, especially if he’s had a busy day.
Wishing for Earlier Bedtimes
Do I sometimes wish they would go to bed earlier? Absolutely, especially on mornings when they need to wake up early. Since we homeschool, it’s usually not an issue, but there are times when an early appointment requires me to wake them up earlier. Every night owl family faces these moments where we wish our kids would be more like their peers, allowing us to avoid the morning grumpiness. But we manage. We coax them awake with their favorite songs, and breakfast is often the only thing that truly rouses them from sleep.
The Perks of Late Nights
But the late nights have their perks. We’ve had memorable summer evenings spent on toad hunts, catching lightning bugs, and stargazing. We don’t have to rush through bedtime rituals starting at 6 p.m. Our kids are happy despite their different rhythms. Their circadian clocks simply don’t align with the societal norm, and that’s perfectly okay.
Let’s not lecture; my kids are thriving, just like yours. For more insights on parenting and the challenges that come with it, check out our other blog posts at https://intracervicalinsemination.com/blog/. And if you’re looking for more resources on home insemination, https://www.makeamom.com/artificial-insemination-kit/babymaker-home-intracervical-insemination-syringe-kit-combo is a great place to start. Finally, for expert guidance on fertility and insemination, visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gynecology-obstetrics/specialty-areas/fertility-center/infertility-services/intrauterine-insemination.
In summary, embracing our kids’ night owl tendencies can lead to joyful family experiences, even if it means some challenging mornings. Their happiness and health are what matter most, and we’ve learned to navigate this unique parenting path together.