I just started reading The 7 o'clock Bedtime by Inda Schaenen. In chapter one she talks about sleep research and how much sleep kids need, what role nature or nurture play in kids being night owls or early risers, etc. Then she says this:
If your prepubescent child is getting enough sleep, you should not have to routinely wake him up in the morning. Bedtime has to inch backward in the evening until your child wakes up on his own at the time he needs to.
So simple! We are working on getting bedtime schedules smoother and earlier both for Asher and for the older kids. We've managed to get them ready and in their rooms reading by 8 and lights off by 9. But believe me when I say that (with the exception of Olivia who wakes up to an alarm clock) they do NOT wake up easily in the morning at 7 am to get ready for school. I think we are going to have to implement an earlier bedtime. It seems they probably aren't getting enough sleep. 7 o'clock is pretty much out of the question since they each have activities once a week that don't get over until 6:30, but I'm thinking we can be ready for bed by 7:30 and work on getting lights out by 8 or 8:30. Maybe a little later for Olivia.
This might be tricky since they only sleep here 50% of the time so the routine changes at their mom's house. We'll see how this goes.
I am going to have to start implementing that method myself. Today I woke up so rested and energized before 7:00 Why? Because I went to bed at 9:30 and was asleep by 10:00! On days that I have to get up earlier, I am just going to have to go to bed even earlier! If I can swing it, I'm going to do it because I felt so good this morning. That doesn't happen often. I'm a chronic snoozer. I dread that alarm clock and take forever to shake off sleep. I don't think that waking up has to be the best part of your day, but it definitely shouldn't be the worst!
ReplyDeleteGosh I have been thinking about this very things lately. Not enough to actually read a book about it...so I am glad you do!
ReplyDeletei luv 7 o'clock bedtime. we did it to get the designer through his mba, but i know it works wonders for kiddos!
ReplyDeleteIt'll be so strange when Mont starts to have a 'bedtime'!! good luck! :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to hear how this goes. I have to say, as a sleeper extraordinaire, even when I go to bed earlier, without an alarm clock (or child!), I am hopeless. My body just does not wake up on its own before 8 a.m. I'm sure, like with anything else, everyone's body is a little different. I hope this works out great for your kids. I have a brother-in-law who literally hops out of bed at 5 a.m. every morning. So awesome!
ReplyDeleteanne
I'm curious to hear how this goes. I have to say, as a sleeper extraordinaire, even when I go to bed earlier, without an alarm clock (or child!), I am hopeless. My body just does not wake up on its own before 8 a.m. I'm sure, like with anything else, everyone's body is a little different. I hope this works out great for your kids. I have a brother-in-law who literally hops out of bed at 5 a.m. every morning. So awesome!
ReplyDeleteanne