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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Those with older teens - when did you stop imposing bedtimes?

11 replies

Sadik · 26/08/2015 21:40

Not those who never needed to impose a bedtime - but if you have/had dc who did the not sleeping/overtired/downward spiral thing without one, what age did you drop stated bed times?

OP posts:
TeenAndTween · 27/08/2015 10:02

DD has just done GCSEs, just turned 16.

In the last year I stopped 'imposing' but have carried on nudging. She needs quite a lot of sleep and normally has her light out 9:30 (very early for many I know). If I go up 10:15ish or so and her light is still on, I will nudge her as to the time.

The deal was however that she continues to get up at appropriate time and doesn't moan about being tired.

Dadistired1 · 27/08/2015 11:57

I don't impose a bedtime for all my older dc and dsd aged 15 and 16, however it is widely regarded that 10:30 is the time when you should be in bed or nearly in bed.

On weekends they can stay up to whatever time they want.

Original poster
Sadik · 27/08/2015 17:02

OK, that's really helpful, many thanks. I like your '10.30 widely regarded as normal bedtime', Dadistired Grin

OP posts:
Mehitabel6 · 27/08/2015 17:05

I think that I was like Dadistired. They also knew they had to be very quiet from then on as I would have quite likely gone to bed.

SheGotAllDaMoves · 27/08/2015 17:05

During term time my two almost sixteen year olds like to be asleep by 10.30pm if possible (early starts).

During holidays I insist no one is downstairs after DH and I go up (usually around 10.15pm). I also insist that any walking around/making noise is done by 10.30pm. I can't insist they sleep, but I can insist they allow others to do so.

TheSecondOfHerName · 27/08/2015 17:10

I can't insist they sleep, but I can insist they allow others to do so.

Same here. I continue to tell them when I expect them to be upstairs in their rooms and quiet, for the sake of everyone in the house. Their WiFi cuts out at 9pm (8pm for the younger ones) so they can't use any technology, but if they want to read after that then I don't mind.

GoblinLittleOwl · 27/08/2015 17:16

Don't think I did; they started removing themselves from the contaminating presence of adults when they were about 14, retiring to their bedrooms and donning leisure wear, ie pyjamas; I would go in about 9.30 pm and they were frequently in bed asleep.
Later 10 pm was cut off time during term time; weekends no rule.

Mehitabel6 · 27/08/2015 17:26

I think it just progresses naturally.

Original poster
Sadik · 27/08/2015 21:27

The idea of no tech after a certain time is a nice half way house, I think.

OP posts:
Heyho111 · 27/08/2015 22:41

It kind of evolved. Really from 13/14 yrs. if they were still up at 10.00 I'd say get ready for bed. I didn't take phones off them but they kind of fell asleep not too late. 16 onwards they went when they wanted too.

Mrsjayy · 28/08/2015 08:50

We have the 10.30 thing too its just habit although dd2 started to turn night into day so i kinda chase her to her room she starts college next week im hoping it will get her back into a routine

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