bedtimes in the holidays

[43cyd]

everyone i know lets their 5 year olds out later at night in the holidays.I still like my 5 year olds twins in bed for 8.00, Am i being harsh and should i let them stay up late as well.

[woofgang]

I think it depends a bit on the child and the weather. if its hot and sticky, then sleep is difficult and babes may be better for a later night and a siesta. Some children really need an unswerving routine, and are better not deviating from it;what will you be doing the next day? can they sleep in (will they??)

isn't 8pm quite late for a five year old anyway?

[woofgang]

sorry, on re reading, that last sentence sounds critical, it isn't meant to be, I wrote it in support of your decision, not to criticise you

[justineo]

Hi 43cyd, I think it's up to you, you know your children best, but personally, I'd let them stay up.

[43cyd]

Thanks for the answers.you do not sound at all critical woofgang. on school days my children are in bed at 7.00.But with peer presure and seeing everyone else keeping their children up late thats why iv opted for 8 in the hols.im wondering what others would consider fair.

[Eurox]

What I said to my girlfriends younger brother is to let them stay up late and get up late if theyre tired from the night before and let them judge when they need to sleep. Also on schoolnights let them make the mistake of going to bed late and then learning that its not clever to go to bed early, therefore they themselves will know when to go to bed early.

[woofgang]

umm I think that five is a little young for that kind of learning!

[43cyd]

i tend to agree they are too young for Eurox,s idea non the less i feel that it is a very good idea with older children.

[MORELLO]

My lad is five and his bed time is 8pm. We let him stay up during holidays, and he rarely lasts past 9, unless we're messing about.

[lissyl78]

It worries me that the only reason you let them stay up til eight in the holidays is because of peer pressure. If you want your children to stick to their regular routine during holidays as not to disrupt it, then do it. It's your decision and shouldn't be influenced by others. You're their parents and should therefore raise them however YOU want. I've always allowed my son to stay up later during weekends and holidays but that doesn't mean I think all parents should do the same. I don't think you're being harsh at all. Do what makes you feel comfortable and trust your own judgement. x

[smee.tracey]

My boy (5) goes to bed at 6.30 every school night and most weekends. He knows when he is ready now and we have our routine. He won't sleep past 6.30am and if he goes to bed at say 7.30 he is hateful next day and possibly the day after that. If he see's his friends playing outside I just say they're on their way to bed in a few minutes and that satisfies him. He won't have his bedroom window open so noise isn't a problem. In the summer I use a fan in his room so he isn't hot

[43cyd]

thankyou for that answer lissyl78 its what good friends keep telling me. but its difficult when so many others around do the total opposite. my son has proven to me tonight he desperately needs his routine. at 7.42 tiredness hit him and all he wanted was sleep. at 830 though a friend of my childrens came to see if they wanted to watch a film at her house and even a 5 year old made me feel guilty by asking why they were in bed so early.

[MORELLO]

smee.tracey - assuming you work, when do you see your lad?

[MORELLO]

The above isn't meant to sound judgemental, but, 6.30?

[woofgang]

Morello, we all know our own kids. All my life I have been an olympic level sleeper and like smeetracy's little one, just plain nasty when I don't get enough. Now I am adult (well older) I make up my own mind but at 5 years old mum's and dads are there to save us from ourselves!

[webby27]

my lad who is 5 go's to bed at 8 o clock every night  he tends to get up through the night if he go's earlier. On weekends he also go's to bed at 8 however there has been occassions where he's gone to bed later and is a handful the next day. Il just voice what most people have said but you know your child and will know what best suits him he may be fine going to bed later on weekends so therefore i would proberly allow it my sons different tho and is a nightmare the next day and i find it's not worth the bother for me or him

[43cyd]

thanks all for your answers theyv'e all been very helpful and made me feel happier and taught me not to feel so guilty about what i consider to be a suitable time.

[smee.tracey]

Thanks for the support wolfgang. I do work part time (mornings) so I'm always there to collect my son from school. We spend time talking, playing, going to places and if he's in bed at 6.30 the next day we can do the same again. If he has a late night (after 7) he comes in from school in a bad mood and doesn't want to do anything except watch tv.
I'm a single parent (not by choice) and if we didn't have a routine life would be chaos, which I believe would be detrimental to both my son and myself.

[MORELLO]

As I said smee.tracey, wasn't judging you. :-)

[smee.tracey]

morello, I believe you!