Sleeping child? This is the dream.
The idea of a bedtime for children is something that unites us all. We all remember the steady tick of the clock towards our designated bedtime. We were corralled upstairs, left to wonder what continued in our house while we were forced to sleep. One of the most simple joys of adulthood is being able to pick the time that we go to sleep. If we want to stay up to 2 am then we can – and we have to be ready to suffer the consequences.
Children in the modern world are familiar with the idea of a bedtime, too. The general rules are copied in households throughout the land. You have a set bedtime, and then usually a “lights out” time, when books and cellphones must be set aside. That time is put back an hour or so on holidays and weekends, and children revel in the extra hours afforded to them.
It is surprising to think that with something so established for generations, there is some debate. For some, the idea of a specific bedtime is authoritarian and counterproductive. For others, it’s an essential. You may feel you side very deliberately with one part of the argument, but it’s worth considering the other side too.
The Pro Argument For A Specific Bedtime
- Children work best on a schedule. When they have times and guidance throughout the day, it teaches them lessons about time management. They know what to expect and feel less pressure when things are rigid.
- It help sets a specific night-time routine. You have a point on the clock to work towards. So you begin with tooth brushing, pulling down custom order blinds for the right ambiance and setting night lights – all with an objective in mind.
- It gives some space for the parents. You can make plans, put off chores and plan evening activities when you know exactly where everyone is going to be.
- Children who don’t get enough sleep can have huge behavioural issues. Parents should guard against this by ensuring they have a sufficient amount of rest per night.
The Anti Argument For A Specific Bedtime
- It is stifling. Childhood should be about fun, experimentation and doing things on a whim. There is no need to conform to such rigid adult ideas of timekeeping.
- When children don’t feel pressured to go to bed, they become better at making their own decisions. They learn to understand when they are tired, giving them a level of autonomy from a young age. They can begin to learn a level of correlation between their choices and how they feel, teaching them a level of emotional intelligence.
- It should lead to no arguments about bedtime, so the household is generally calmer.
It should also be noted that your choice might depend on your child. Some will suit ruling their own schedule; others will need a nudge in the right direction. With sleep so important, it’s worth considering all the options and finding what’s going to work best for your family.