Bedtime

[popley]

I have a 12 year old DD who won't go to bed really until we are ready to go to bed. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what time is an acceptable time for 12 year olds to go to bed during the holidays?

I have no specific "set" time during the holidays but I have discussed this with my DD and I think 10pm is an acceptable time for her to "retire" . Although I have no problem with her watching TV or using her computer after this time.

I think going up around 10pm sounds about right for a 12yr old. They do still need some routine and a fair amount of sleep at that age. Having taught secondary you could really tell the y7s who were up until the small hours.

I think 14/15 is a more appropriate age to determine their own bedtime though on school nights I'd still insist on retiring by midnight (though we'd be in bed by then anyway so based on trust)

In the holidays, if they're not being a nuisance, they can stay up; if they start moaning or pestering, it's bedtime :)

During school term, I would say 10pm is acceptable, with lights out by 10.30pm at latest. In the hols, they could stay up later with a bit of guidance or oversight. Age 14 or 15 (depending on your teen), they should be allowed (within reason) to determine their own bedtime.

I'm with Flow4 on this one.
I used to say to DD1, once she got to about 8 and we could be more flexible with bedtimes 'It is now past your bedtime, you are in grown up time now, so perfect behaviour, or bed'.