Bonus Parenting

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crzkb - > Bonus Parenting -> Staying up late
Staying up late

I've always loved my sleep time.  Early to bed, early to rise is my motto.  I'm usually under the covers and sleeping away every night by 9:30.  My 10 year old step daughter and I are pretty much on the same page sleep wise.  We'll even "race" each other to see who can be ready in bed first.:  "Have you brushed your teeth yet?  I'm done washing my face, I'm almost ready," she'll say in that sing songy way of telling me she's going to win the in bed first competition.

My 14 year old step son is a different story.  He stays up later and later, and my husband stays up with him until he goes to bed.  During school he would try to be in bed by 10:00, but it usually was more like 10:30ish.  And Fridays he would stay up until whenever, using the "It's Friday, no school tomorrow" reasoning.

Well, now it's summer, and every day is Friday.  We have the kids every other week, and I like to plan full days of activities when they're with us.  That means wake up early so we can be the first ones at the amusement park  to avoid the lines.  Wake up early so we can catch the free 10:00 movie at the movie theater.  Wake up early so we can avoid the traffic going into the city.  Wake up early so we can be outside for a little bit before the 110 degree weather kicks in.  Basically, I like to have us all out of the house by 9:00. 

My 14 year old would sleep in until 11:00 or even noon if we let him.  Probably because he's stays up until 11:00 watching movies with my husband. 

Here is my question:  What time is a good time for early teenagers to go to bed in the summer? 

Topics: bed time, children
posted by crzkb on Friday, July 4, 2008 at 12:37 PM
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3 comments from 3 users

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posted by hmoeckli on Jul 4, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I don't know an exact time, but I think if he can't get up at 8, then he's staying up too late. I'd say weekdays, be in bed by 9:30, lights out by 10. Weekends I'd say in bed by 11. There should be a difference between the two; I don't think every day should be Friday. (I'm thinking of September.)

Another thing to consider is what happens at his mom's house. Consistency is best, but not always 100% achievable, of course. If what she expects and what you and your husband expect is totally different, then I think it warrants a family meeting.

Good luck!
posted by ktja on Jul 6, 2008 at 11:46 PM
I agree with hmoeckli. If he can't be up by 8AM, he's going to bed too late. Perhaps make him feel like it's his decision. Let him know the night before what you have planned and what time you're leaving. Then let him decide when to go to bed.
posted by magickmom on Jul 7, 2008 at 12:49 PM

Just my opinion, but if he's 14, he probably doesn't want to be with you girls every second. Does he have friends to socialize with? Perhaps a few days out of the week he can sleep in in the mornings, and keep himself occupied while you and your bonus daughter go out and do stuff together?

I know that by 14 I was on my own for the summer, so perhaps that's just my opinion. And well, I'm not an early bird either, I HATE Getting up in the mornings. Perhaps you could schedule stuff for him to do, (if he chooses) later in the day when he's more awake? Summer should be fun. If he is not a morning person, and doesn't want to get up that early, chances are that he won't have a good time, and if his attitude is grouchy, then you and your bonus daughter might not enjoy the mornings as much either?

Just my .02 ....from a Die-hard Night Owl.

 

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