What are your children's bed times and evening routines?

[BreathingDeep]

I'm intrigued to know what time your children go to bed, both during school holidays and when they're back at school?

Naturally, my two youngest (aged 10 and 11 - will be years 6 and 7) tell me repeatedly that their bedtimes are too early and that their friends stay up soooooo much later, but actually, this does seem to be true (notifications on my kids' devices which are downstairs tell me they're still chatting and messaging much, much later). Currently my two go to bed at 8.30 and can read until they fall asleep, which is usually 9/9.30.

I don't want to treat them as babies but I also want to protect their time to sleep and relax, and also have some degree of peace myself.

So, can I ask - what time do yours go to bed, and before then, what's your evening routine, such as screen times, reading times, etc?

That's early for the holidays. My sons are 6 and 2. During the holidays they don't have a bed time, but we will usually shepherd them to bed if they're not asleep by 10.

Yep, I agree it can be later in the holidays but during school times, I think drifting off to sleep between 9 and 9.30 at 10 and 11 seems reasonable?

School nights my 9 year old Y5 is off all screens/PC etc. by 8 then shower and can read til 9, or 9.30 if it's a night where he's out doing an activity

Fri/Sat he can stay up til 10.30

My dc never went to bed earlier than 9, even as a toddler.

DS2 (6) goes to bed at 7.30
DD (8) goes at 8.30
DS1 (13) at around 11

No screens allowed after 7.
They keep the same routine even during holidays.or they're groggy little shits the next day.

My DS is 8 and goes to bed around 9 - 9:30 on school nights and at weekends 9:30 - 10:00. He’s up at 7 on school days and usually before 8 at weekends. He goes to bed with no fuss and is usually asleep within minutes.

The hours of sleep before midnight are far more beneficial for teenagers (and adults) then the hours after midnight.

What are your teenagers doing for four hours in the evening without screens?

Boarding school times for 13 - 14 year olds were 09.30, but alarms went off at 6 and often early morning clubs for some as well.

All devices (phones/PS4) off at 6pm, we sit together for an hour or so and watch telly, youngest then in bed 7.30/8pm (she’s 10) and the two eldest in their room watching tv for an hour or so with lights out/telly off etc between 9.30 and 10pm (they are 15 and 13)

i appreciate this seems strict to some, but they don’t push back (and they would) and it means they can get up early without a struggle (they’re up at 6am) and focus well at school etc. Bedtimes in our house are nice and calm

What are your teenagers doing for four hours in the evening without screens?

Does his homework in peace, reads, plays chess with me, phones his friends, draws, practices keyboard with headphones in so he doesn't wake the younger two, helps prep the next day's tea, helps me wash my hair and fold washing (I'm disabled) there's plenty to do without screens. I find it appalling that so many are so dependant on them.

Ah you see many of those things are not evening activities in my mind - ie homework and phoning friends still often require screens.

I like the idea of prepping the next day's meal.

Screans here go off at 6pm (and often aren't actually on after school)- but bedtimes are significantly earlier.

He often doesn't have time to fit those activities in during after school hours as he's so busy helping the younger two and me, if his homework requires screens then he's of course allowed to use his laptop or phone to search what he needs.
After school is a nightmare with the mix of after school clubs, tea, homework for the little 2, reading books and showers as well as screen time but DS1 helps out so much. So after they've gone to bed is his time to get his stuff sorted and relax a bit.

Little bit younger but DS1 (9, 10 in October) has bath at 7:00, milk and story at 7:30, bed at 8:00. If he can’t sleep he’s welcome to read. Club evenings will be half an hour later (twice a week). He’s awake by 6 regardless of when he goes to bed. Holidays we are more relaxed but he’s usually fast asleep by 8:15, so…

@HerRoyalHappiness he sounds like an awesome kid!

Ds 8.
Evening is spent as he wishes as long as homework done.
Usually tv and computer.
Bed at 7.30/8 when at school 10/11pm holidays and weekends

0930 at summer solstice and 0730 at winter solstice with a gradual slide between

we do meds, bathroom stuff, lights down low and in bed with a story. She can read as long as she likes as long as she stays in bed and keeps the big light off

age 10