Updated: Aug. 14, 2017
Newsflash: Kids couldn’t care less about your bedtime chart!
Sleep is a hot-button issue in the parenting community, with one major debate centered on the appropriate bedtime for children based on their age. Numerous charts pop up online, each trying to clarify this dilemma, but since bedtime varies widely due to countless factors, most parents simply roll their eyes at the so-called “expert” advice.
The latest bedtime chart making waves comes from the Facebook page Creative Child Magazine, and the reactions have been quite polarized.
Starting at age two—because let’s be honest, expecting a consistent bedtime from a toddler is almost laughable—the chart adds 15 minutes for every subsequent year until reaching the mythical adult age of 18. Seriously, does anyone actually enforce a bedtime for their 18-year-old?
Responses to the chart range from enthusiastic cheers like “YES, this is spot on!” to dramatic declarations of “THIS IS ABSURD! I WILL BURN THIS CHART AND SEEK REVENGE ON ITS CREATOR!” Okay, maybe we’re exaggerating just a tad, but bedtime discussions can really ignite passions among parents. After all, there’s no universal formula that fits every family—or even every child. Just because your little one needs to be tucked in before sunset doesn’t mean it’s wrong for someone else’s kid to stay up until 10 PM and wake up happy at 6 AM.
When it comes to establishing a bedtime routine, there are countless factors to consider. For instance, parents’ work schedules significantly influence when kids can sleep. When I worked a standard office job and didn’t get home until after 6 PM, there was no way I could have my two-year-old bathed, fed, and ready for bed by 7 PM. Then there are evening activities, sports, and the fact that some kids, especially those who nap heavily at daycare, simply can’t fall asleep earlier than 9 PM, regardless of what the magical chart suggests.
While bedtime charts can provide a rough guideline for parents trying to gauge whether their child might benefit from more or less sleep, they are far from a one-size-fits-all solution. Some kids require ample sleep, while others thrive on very little. My older child could sleep through a thunderstorm, while my younger one is up and conquering the world by 7 AM.
Ultimately, every family must find what works best for them and their kids. And let’s be real—when have kids ever cared about what a chart dictates?
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Summary:
Bedtime routines can spark heated discussions among parents, especially when it comes to charts suggesting when kids should sleep. These guidelines often vary greatly depending on individual family circumstances, making it essential for each household to establish their own bedtime norms. Kids generally don’t adhere to charts, so parents should focus on what works best for their unique situations.