Hello all, please can I ask your advice. I have brought my five year old to visit his dad (abroad) for the Easter break. It was a long journey and jetlag is a factor as a result.
At home, five year old goes to bed at 7pm and wakes up at 6.30am/7am. Most nights he goes straight to sleep but there are a few nights where he chats to himself for a short while in bed before nodding off.
So far, since we got here, dad seems to have been incapable of getting him to bed anywhere near 7pm. Saturday night he had invited his friends over and dinner was hours later than normal so bedtime was 8pm. Sunday night he decided we go to a birthday party for an adult and we returned back near to 8pm again. Tonight, he’s take five year old over to a neighbour and they’ve been there for over an hour. It’s nearly 8pm and they are still not back so at this rate bedtime will not be until 8.30pm.
I know it’s the holidays and I should probably lighten up but I there are several issues in my mind.
Firstly I feel he isn’t putting five year olds sleep needs first. He’s jetlagged and should get back on schedule. We are three days in and it’s the worst time for jetlag. It’s a 6 hour time difference so at 8pm in this country, it’s 2am back home. He isn’t used to late nights and if he doesn’t get good sleep he is cranky.
Also, he will now become used to a later bedtime and it will be problematic when we get back in terms of getting up for school. just because he doesn’t have to get up now. Doesn’t mean his whole routine should change.
Secondly, I think their is an alterior motive to this bedtime delay. Five year old usually speaks to his dad between 6 and 7 each evening. Dad has repeatedly asked that this be moved to 6.30 to 7.30 because it would be easier for his schedule. I had already moved his bedtime from 6.30pm to 7pm last year to try to accommodate. feel that 7.30pm is too late given his sleep needs and having to get up for school.
I appreciate that some will think that 7 is too early for bedtime at this age and I would agree if he didn’t just go straight to sleep most nights.
I can’t talk to dad about it as things are already difficult between us. I want to try to intervene but I get shouted at so it’s very difficult and I don’t want him to start shouting in front of five year old.
thanks for reading a long post.