To change the time on clocks to get kids to go to bed earlier?

[applesandacorns]

Does anyone do this to their kids?

My DM used to change the clock time to my bedtime whenever she thought I was tired or wanted me to go to bed. That way I couldn't argue against it. She probably did it 1-3 times a week. I had an inkling that the time was often incorrect (because it was usually still broad daylight outside...), but didn't know for sure until she admitted it years later.

Told my DH about it and he thought it was bizarre. Do any mums on here do this, or is my family weird?!

Sounds like a genius idea

Horrible idea that normalises lying

Only once. Circa 2007. I was on my knees.

Maybe you're onto something @wijjjy. I did turn out to be a very sneaky teenager!

Surely any child old enough to tell the time yet young enough to have a strict bedtime can still see the time from multiple sources these days?

I doubt that would work very well in a day when even your TV and radio know what time it is.

Yeah I'm not sure how well it would work today to be honest! I'm 26 now, it worked up until I was about 10 I think.

Me and my sister used to do this to our wee brother when we were babysitting to get him to go to bed earlier so our friends could come in

That's a good point. Having to dig out the manual for the cooker clock might be more effort than you may be prepared to go to.

Yes we did this. DD could tell the time from 3 and was very clear on when her bedtime was, so if she was overtired we regularly changed the clock by 30-60 min. I hardly think it's a terrible lie and we don't do it now that she's 8 as she would notice the discrepancy with light/other clocks etc.

I've done it when they were very young.

Ds 5 cant tell the time yet but I would definitely do that if I felt he needed it

I did it on Christmas morning, an hour and a half back.

I'm usually up until stupid o'clock and it was so lovely to sleep until 8.30 after telling them not to wake me until 7am. I managed to keep it up until they got mobiles aged 12ish. Bliss.

My mum used to do it too

This is why I don't do specific bedtimes, my kids go to bed when I tell them to.

Well, they say that teenagers can't tell the time on an analogue clock these days...

But wait for them doing the same to you later.

I think it's weird just because a child who is old enough to tell the time is old enough to go to bed without a tantrum.

@StrongerThanIThought76 that's amazing they fell for it on Xmas day!! I'm actually usually awake before kids on Xmas day anyway though with the excitement of waiting to see their faces and my mind swirling with when to put the dinner in etc!