The Importance of Bedtimes for Children

Every child needs to have a set bedtime every night. This is for the betterment of the children and the peace of mind of their caretakers. When children are regularly permitted to go to bed late or have no bedtime at all, the entire family suffers. These children are often tired and that reflects in their attitudes, behavior and school work.

It is startling to find out how much sleep children actually need to be well rested. The following is a good guideline to follow to make sure your child receives adequate rest:

• Toddlers: 12 - 14 hours
• Preschoolers: 11 - 13 hours
• School Aged Children (through age 12): 10 - 11 hours

According to the National Sleep Foundation, most children do not get these amounts of sleep during a 24 hour period.

The actual time that children go to bed can vary from 7 pm - 10:30 pm. There is no set rule as to what time is best for what age. If you notice that your child still seems tired or cranky during the day then try moving the bedtime up. Likewise, if you put him down for bed and the child is just laying there unable to sleep for long periods of time then perhaps the bedtime needs to be later. The most important thing is that the child is well rested.

Adhering to a bedtime will benefit your kids. If their behavior is less than stellar the majority of the time then this may be due to lack of sleep. Tired children are more prone to acting out. As a parent, this means dealing with more tantrums and disciplinary issues. In general, children's conduct is better when they are well rested.

And getting enough sleep can improve how they function in school. It is extremely difficult for a disciplined adult to function well during the day when they are tired. How much more true is this for our children? Lack of attention, poor test performance, and falling asleep in class can often be traced back to poor sleeping habits.

Also, having children up at all hours of the night can put a strain on your marital relationship. Maybe you feel that between work and parenting there isn't enough time leftover with your spouse. Or perhaps moments for intimacy are rare. Putting kids to bed at a reasonable time will create more occasions for closeness with your mate.

So, start a nighttime routine and be consistent with it. For example, have the child put on his pajamas, wash his face, brush his teeth, read a quick bedtime story, say his prayers and kiss everyone in the house goodnight, and then lay down. After a few nights, the child will know this means it's time to go to bed he will be less likely to protest.

Of course setting a bedtime may prove to be easier than actually enforcing it. Your child may resent having this new boundary, especially if he is used to staying up as long as he wants. So don't be surprised if this new schedule is met with resistance. Just help the child adhere to bedtime rituals and in a very short time his body and attitude will adjust to the change.