What time does your 6 year and/or 4 year old go to bed?

[Dodo76]

I am trying to get DS1 (nearly 6) in bed for 8, light out at 8.30, but it is frequently 9 before he is asleep which must be way too late for a child his age. DS2, nearly 4, is usually asleep by 8-8.15 which is also probably too late. Think I need to introduce an entirely new bedtime regime as it just seems so drawn out at the moment but I only get home from work at 7pm at which point both boys demand snacks, TV, stories etc. I love the time with them but am worried this means that they are not getting enough sleep. Just interested in what time kids of this age generally go to bed.

[wadi1983]

I would cut out the TV! And snacks!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

What time do they get up?

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

What time are they up in the morning? Do you have to wake them? Do they seem tired in the morning?

I think that children those ages need between 10-12 hours sleep so depending in the child, and the above they might be doing ok.

In answer to your question our ds's are 8.4 and 5.8 and both happily sleep 12 hours a night. Usually 7pm-7am.

[iwouldgoouttonight]

Mine are 7 and 5 and generally go to bed between 7-7.30 and lights out at 8pm.

I sympathise with not having enough time with them in the evenings though. I sometimes get them to have bath, do teeth, etc straight away and then they come down in their pyjamas and we can have a play, chat, etc, and then there isn't the rush to get them ready for bed afterwards when they're getting really tired.

[MrsBungle]

My 4 year is in bed by 7pm. Up again around 7am.

[Thebluedog]

My dd is 6 and on a school night is in bed by 7.30, asleep by 8.

[TippiShagpile]

My dc (8 and 9) still go to bed between 7 and 7.30. They do wake up early (6.30) but we need to be out of the house early so that works for us.

[Ragwort]

My DS was always in bed by 7pm from 0 - 9 years old, occasional late night if he was doing Cubs or similar.

Can they be ready for bed (ie: had snack/bath & in pyjamas) for when you get home so you just read them a quick story in bed?

[PlaydoughGirl]

My 6yo has recently had his bedtime moved from 7.30 to 8.00pm, as he was lying awake for AGES and complaining about it. He gets up extremely early but seems to have a reduced need for sleep and rarely appears tired.

My 4yo has a 7.00pm bedtime in theory, usually ends up being 7.30pm by the time we've finished her home reading, bedtime stories, and a cuddle on the couch.

My DH doesn't usually get to see DD in the evenings and only sees DS for half an hour, although starting this week, he won't see them at all in the evenings, and only for a half hour in the mornings, as his commute is lengthening. It's sad

[Dodo76]

They are bathed and ready for bed when I get home but then demand snacks, TV, stories etc. It is a long drawn out process with me getting more and more tired by the minute. They wake up between 7 and 7.30. DS2 wakes very easily, DS1 is more tired, takes longer to rouse. I think from the sounds of it they are not getting enough sleep. DS1 is quite naughty/lacks concentration a lot so would like to eliminate lack of sleep as a factor. I should also add that they both get up and come into my bed around midnight. I have tried putting them back but they just come back again (repeatedly) and I am now too tired to do anything about it.

[Dodo76]

I have tried to cut out snacks but they seem genuinely hungry and always have a sandwich or hot chocolate.

[Artandco]

I think it's fine personally. However I wouldn't have tv for at least 2 hours before bed. Spend 7-8pm having some warm milk and cookies together, maybe play a game and catch up. 8pm bedtime stories with both together. Aim for 8.30pm bed if you think 9pm is too late

My 4 year old goes to bed around 9pm and wakes 8-9am

[oliviaoctopus]

My 6 year old goes to sleep at 7.

[HandragsNGladbags]

4yo goes 7 to 6.30ish

[BertieBottsJustGotMarried]

It's hard when you work late. Maybe you could use it to your advantage? I used to get home at that time and would let DS watch one episode of You've Been Framed which is on itv2 at that time (possibly +1).

Snack while watching and they have to be in pjs when you get there. Quick teeth and wee, read one story/chapter of story/few pages, max 15 minutes, kiss and cuddle, nothing else. Should take you to about 7.45, 8 at the latest. On Fridays maybe you can do an extra story if they've been good all week?

[BertieBottsJustGotMarried]

Or, get DH to give them snacks at 6.30, teeth afterwards. No food/drink after teeth.

[BertieBottsJustGotMarried]

And/or bigger, later tea if hungry?

[Mama1980]

My ds1 is 6 goes to bed at 9 but he doesn't go to school and has never liked sleep!

[OohMrDarcy]

my 4 and 7 (just) year olds are both in bed for 7... DS goes straight to sleep, then DD (older) reads for 30-40 mins - asleep by 7.45

[nativityplayer]

My DD6 goes to bed at 7pm; Saturdays by 8pm or she is too tired!

[frugalfuzzpig]

4yo DS - in bed by about 7-7.15, falls asleep insanely quickly.

6yo DD - has more stories after DS goes to bed so doesn't end up going to bed herself til about 8 usually although I'd like it to be earlier really. She takes an age to go to sleep and often only drops off around 9.

They get up any time between 6-7.30 although it was later in the depths of winter