How Early is Bedtime?
I’ve mentioned before that bedtimes are early in my house. This is for two reasons.
1. It keeps me sane and gives me time to work.
2. It makes my kids happy and healthier.
Bedtimes for kids should follow their natural rhythms. The body has circadian rhythms that give us cues for sleeping and being awake. If you don’t sleep when your body thinks it should, you’ll wake up tired. If you sleep too long, the same thing happens. But if you sleep during the “ideal” times, you wake up feeling rested and ready to go.
So when are these ideal times? They vary by person and child, but for the average baby and toddler, bedtime should be 6-8pm, and morning should start at 6-8am. Yes, it’s early. But it’s far better to have a rested and happy child. Besides, in a few years you won’t be able to get them out of bed in the mornings and you can sleep in then. And I’m counting on it.
