A recent study underscores the vital role of early bedtimes in children’s long-term health outcomes. According to a report by HealthWatch, children who consistently went to bed after 9 p.m. during preschool years were found to have a higher likelihood of becoming obese in their teenage years. This revelation adds to the already heavy burden of parental guilt that comes from the myriad decisions we face regarding our children’s wellness.
“Children in preschool who maintained early bedtimes on weekdays were 50% less likely to be obese as teenagers compared to their peers with late bedtimes,” noted Dr. Emily Thompson, a researcher at the University of California’s School of Public Health and the study’s lead author. This conclusion holds true even when accounting for various known factors that contribute to obesity risk. Dr. Thompson further highlighted the cognitive and behavioral advantages of adequate sleep, stating that regular bedtime routines, especially those including early bedtimes, correlate with fewer sleep disturbances.
In a rather unhelpful recommendation, one sleep specialist advises that parents should enforce non-negotiable bedtimes. “Bedtime is not optional,” asserts Dr. Mark Rivers, a professor at Stanford University. “Just as parents don’t negotiate tooth brushing, they shouldn’t negotiate bedtime.” But does Dr. Rivers truly understand the challenges of parenting a preschooler? Many parents would argue that negotiating with a child is akin to bargaining with a seasoned diplomat.
Most of us are aware that sleep is beneficial for our kids; telling us that more sleep leads to better health is akin to suggesting that veggies are better than candy. It’s not that we’re choosing to keep our children awake late into the night; we’re all too eager to tuck them in early so we can unwind with a glass of wine while catching up on our favorite shows. Yet, life often throws a wrench into our plans. Between work, meal prep, homework, and family time, bedtime tends to slip away. And when we finally manage to get them into pajamas, there’s an endless stream of requests for water, complaints about socks, and other bedtime antics.
Undoubtedly, the parenting elite will seize upon this study. With the best intentions, we all strive for regular bedtimes, but as the demands of life increase, maintaining those schedules can become a daunting task. My first child went to bed at a commendably early 7 p.m., but with the addition of another child and the chaos of daily life, we often find ourselves still awake for late-night talk shows.
Parenting is undeniably challenging, and as we navigate this complex journey, we crave practical advice and support. What we truly need are systemic changes that make parenting easier—like improved parental leave policies, reduced homework for kids, and flexible work hours. A little less guilt over our perceived shortcomings and more assistance in our endeavors would go a long way. We certainly don’t need another study reiterating what we already know.
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In summary, while the findings of this study may seem painfully obvious, they serve as a reminder of the challenges parents face in establishing healthy routines amid the chaos of daily life. What we really need is support, not guilt.