In sending my dc's to bed at 7.30pm even in holidays?

[EasyEggs]

I have 4 dc's, aged 7, 5, 20m and 6m.

I always put the eldest 3 to bed at 7.30pm. No matter if it's a school night, weekend or school holidays. They do of course have the occasional late night if we have been out somewhere.

Family and friends, even neighbours children who stay up later than mine esp in the holidays, have said it is mean to not let them stay up later.

We have tried ds1 with a later bedtime but he gets so tired and stropy the next day he is a nightmare. Also true if 20m has late night. IMO they are getting the right amount of sleep they need. They don't wake up extremely early, almost always between 7-7.30am.

Surely I am not being mean?

Yes, you must copy your neighbours, family and friends, just because they say so.

It just amazes me that people think I am actually being cruel to keep them awake until they drop?!

My neighbours lo's range in age from baby to 10yrs and none of them goto bed before 9pm. IMO that isn't doing them any favours at all esp school aged dc's.

My kids always go to bed at the same time even in the holidays.

My kids will wake up the same time if they go to bed late so are consequently ratty all day if they have a late night.

I find kids are not at their best when its past their bedtime.

Kids need lots of sleep and I need a bit of time to myself in the evenings.

That doesnt change at Easter, Christmas and half terms.

Not mean at all - it's the same in our house. I know some lucky parents whose children sleep later if they stay up later than usual. But my 3 always wake up at the same time and end up grumpy and tired the next day.

It also means that I can cook dinner for me and DH and still have a little wind-down time, even if we are just sat in front of the tv .

I'm the same, bedtime is bedtime, although during these holidays we have had quite a lot of late nights (friends and cousins sleeping over) and i am now regretting it as both dc have been really hard work and moody. Back to 7pm tommorrow

no you are not. my 20 month old goes to bed at 7 every night because i need some time for ME.

long may it continue

and the simpsons is on at 7 too. it is not a coincidence that that is also when she goes to bed

My 15 month dd goes to bed at 7pm on the dot - bad mummy!

i WISH my 6yo would go to sleep at 7.30pm. My friend's 6yo is always in bed by 7pm. I look on in envy.

My ds goes to bed earlier in the holidays.

No, YANBU.

I dread my brother and his children visiting us because they go to bed late, even during term time. As a result, they are pretty ratty and shirty at the best of times and it really disrupts my PFB's bedtime.

We all need sleep. And we all need time in the even to kick back without the children around. Make the most of it!

Yep I'm another one that agrees with you.

Mine are 3 and 11, and they're both upstairs by 7.30, littly to sleep at 8 and eldest asleep at 9.

They need their sleep and I need my peace.

I know loads of people whose dc go to bed at the same time as the adults. Not for me, I'm afraid, I'd go mad

My 4 (7,4,18m,5m) all go to bed at 7.30 unles we have got home late from a day out etc.
If they go to bed later not only are they grotty the next day but i feel knackered that i didn't get any quiet time before i went to bed!
I love my kids but by 7.30 my patience is frazzled