I suppose it also depends on what time they have to get up.

Hell my 2 year old goes to bed at 8-8:30... But then he also sleeps untill 7:30 and takes a 2 hour nap during the day, so he gets 12-14 hours of sleep every day.. :)

Anyone have older busy kids who manage an early bedtime?

My kids are older now, 24 and 25. High achievers, etc. When they were young their bed time was 8:00 except on the one night (?) that "Who's the Boss" was on, they liked it so I allowed them an extra half hour - compromise. Years later it was 9:00.

By the time they were 16 it was whenever they wanted within reason but the expectations on them didn't change because they had chosen to stay up late (which they didn't often because they'd already been "programmed" to an earlier bed time).

Today this would be easier. Sure there are more options - cable, internet - if you allow it, but there is TiVo. Make a rule on the amount of television they are allowed and let them manage that. If its 2 hours, thats it. Let them see you make rules (others will for us all our lives) let them manage themselves (to learn responsibility), and OCCASIONALLY let them know you'll compromise because you are more than the "rule maker" - you love them; but also want to set a role model for their eventual parenting.

Early bed times are good for kids as it helps them be more prepared the following day. Kids typically need more sleep; our 2 year old goes down at 7-730 and sleeps until about 7 in the morning. I wish I had it that good...

Institute "family martini night" after a few of those I'm sawing logs around 8:00.


just kidding!!!!

My 7 and 10yo kids "generally" get to bed around 9:30-10 and my 14yo sometime a little later. My parents were never very strict with my bedtime growing up and I am kind of the same. For some, it is the only time that you can actually relax and talk. For others, especially overworked housewives, its an opportunity to finally have some "me time". I've heard some ridiculous times some families put their kids to bed. And then they complain when the kids are up a 5:00 am. My kids get straight A's and are active in many interests. It works in our house.

+1

Read the book, "Too Much of A Good Thing" by Dan Kindlon. Don't fall for the, "But everybody else..." line.

Wow, a 14-year-old with a bedtime? How do you manage to enforce that?

When I was 14, I was getting up earlier than my parents, leaving the house earlier, and getting home later. I think that I managed to do that indicated that I could manage my own sleep needs, thank you very much.

:D