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AIBU?

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Original poster

To send my four year old to bed at 6pm

47 replies

hibbledibble · 10/03/2021 21:10

People seem shocked it's so early, but she gets grumpy and tired at 5pm. What time do your nearly school children go to bed at?

OP posts:
AnnaSW1 · 10/03/2021 22:29

3 yr olds bath at 7 then bed

Writerandreader · 10/03/2021 22:32

God I wish my kids were like this. Mine kick and moan about at bedtime and 6 Yr old often still awake at 930. I have to wake them for school

Moolan · 10/03/2021 22:33

Enjoy the early bedtimes for as long as you can!

Batmanandbobbin · 10/03/2021 22:42

My 6 (nearly 7) has only just moved from 6:30 - 7 bedtime. He wakes up between 5-6 every morning (whatever time he goes to bed) so any later he’s awful.

Side note I’ve tried later for over a week to get rid of early rise and it resulted in a very grumpy child.

Elder child was still going to be at half 7 when they were 10/11 and sleeping through until 7 Blush

Crazycakelady17 · 10/03/2021 23:05

They obviously need there sleep so go with it especially If they are falling asleep straight away,
All mine had 6.30/7pm bedtimes until about 6,
My 11 year old is now at 9.30 but could do with a earlier one but she says she’s not a baby! Enjoy your evenings while you can

Changechangychange · 10/03/2021 23:10

4 yr old but still at nursery. Wakes up 8am. Goes to sleep 8-8:30 at night. Apparently sometimes naps at nursery, but never naps with us.

We pick him up at 6pm, so by the time we’ve got him home and had tea and a bath, it’s nearly 8pm. I can’t see how we can get him into bed any earlier. School next year is going to be interesting, maybe if he is coming home earlier we can get him into bed by 7.

PrancerandDancer · 10/03/2021 23:11

Reading with interest. My near 4yo has been going to bed at 7 since she was 1 but was pondering if she would need a later bed time once she is at school in September. We don't have many issues getting her to bed and she usually sleeps through til 7, so days we have to wake her for nursery.... seems like I'll enjoy the early bedtimes a little longer!

Aalvarino · 10/03/2021 23:18

You do your family. Whatever works for you. Nothing wrong with larks. I have owls and am myself an owl which has its own challenges and social approbation.

I always wonder what the answer would be to a similar question posed in different countries. Spanish and Italian kids never seem to go to bed early, and up quite early plus siestas are falling out of fashion. How do their kids cope? On the other hand northern EU and scandi countries tend to have earlier bedtimes.

Covidworries · 10/03/2021 23:22

Mine are older and go ip for bed at 6.15 alseep by 6.45 mostly sometimes could be 7.30 before they go to sleep. Up at 6am mostly

Leafdelta · 10/03/2021 23:23

What's the bedtime routine OP? Is she literally in bed and lights out at 6pm or is the start of it?

Aalvarino · 10/03/2021 23:24

Mine generally went to bed about 9 from age.... 7? And always had to be woken for school.

Now at around 13 and 10 they can outlast me easily at night time but moan about getting up in the morning. No alone time and morning agro....but they seem to be doing fine on it and tbh it suits me because I work 830-6 every day and would otherwise not actually talk to them much.

kittycorner · 10/03/2021 23:28

Enjoy it @hibbledibble!!!

I miss those days!!!

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 10/03/2021 23:33

DS is 4. He has preschool 3 days a week and on a friday is shattered and tearful. He regularly goes to bed at 6.30pm, 7pm is the absolute latest.

He's always been a lark, it doesnt matter what time we put him to bed, he is up by 6.30am, I am too so can't blame him really.

Some children suit early bedtimes and rise early. Some are more night owls. It is what it is.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 10/03/2021 23:35

Side note I’ve tried later for over a week to get rid of early rise and it resulted in a very grumpy child

I've tried everything you can imagine, for months. I just cannot make my son sleep past 6.30am.

NiceGerbil · 10/03/2021 23:41

Mine get sleep according to them.

One needed less than the other.

Gauge was always just whether they seem ready for bed, or tired on the morning, or are obviously lying awake for ages (which is horrible) or waking up v v early.

NiceGerbil · 10/03/2021 23:41

Also even children will have early bird/ struggle to get up tenancies same as adults!

HexWitch · 10/03/2021 23:43

Mine have always been night owls, I just do what works for us and assume others do what works for them.

Original poster
hibbledibble · 10/03/2021 23:44

She's always been an excellent sleeper.

Bedtime routine is PJ's and teeth from 545, in bed at 6 or soon after. Asleep shortly after she's in bed.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 10/03/2021 23:47

YA neither Reasonable nor unreasonable.
Do what works for you.

I could never have got in from work, cooked, eaten, and got them ready for that sort of time, but if it works for you, then do whatever.

Though there is nothing wrong with a nap in the afternoon either.

RandomMess · 10/03/2021 23:50

One of mine was in bed 6ish and up at 7.45am the whole way through reception. Alas none of the others every needed as much sleep!

Nellythemouse · 11/03/2021 00:15

Mine sleeps 19:30 - 6/6:30. Works for us.

Dustyhedge · 11/03/2021 00:23

If she needs it she needs it. My 4yo is like the bloody Duracell bunny. She does after school club and still comes home bouncing and doesn’t sleep until 8.30-9. Some of her other friends are knackered at 3 and come out of school crying because they’re exhausted. They are all different

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