Bedtime issues 13 year old

[Anonymous]

We have some similar rules and issues. My DS is supposed to have phone plugged in downstairs and in his room at 9:30. He can do whatever in his room and go to actual sleep whenever he wants - I can't control that. However, he complains that all his friends are still texting and he feels left out- they often text until 11 or later. I'm not caving this year but it's such a bummer. Seems like everyone on DCUM makes their kid plug in their phones so early but in real life, all my kids' friends seem to be texting much later. (by the way it is true as I see his phone, that a lot of people text late a night).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like everyone on DCUM makes their kid plug in their phones so early but in real life, all my kids' friends seem to be texting much later. (by the way it is true as I see his phone, that a lot of people text late a night).

We have a similar issue and I just repeat the old standby that I am responsible for DS and he has to follow my rules. His friends are their parents responsibility. I have relaxed our rules somewhat. On non-school nights I let him use his phone until a few minutes before lights out. But the phone does have to be plugged in the charging station, not in his bedroom, for lights out.

[Anonymous]

We turned of my kid's internet access on all her devices at ten PM. Worked great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We turned of my kid's internet access on all her devices at ten PM. Worked great.

How do you do this? Is there an app? or do you work with the phone company? we have AT&T

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our rule is the phone is on the kitchen counter by 7:30pm. TV and laptop are off by 8:30/9. Bedtime 9:30. If she is having trouble falling asleep, she is allowed to put on a DVD of one particular calming movie. If she fought me on bedtime, it would be an indication that something is wrong. I would ask more questions and if nothing was truly amiss, he would start losing privileges quickly. You can't make him go to sleep, but you can make life very boring. I would also look at diet and exercise. Mine gets no caffeine and gets an hour or two of exercise daily. When the weather finally gets nicer and the pool is open, I often take her to the pool in the evening for some swimming and diving. Pool time is like sleeping pills for kids.

Curious how you get your kid to exercise an hour or two daily? DH and I take regular evening walks, but can't always get DS to commit and it is admittedly boring for him. He doesn't like team sports and does tennis twice a week, but otherwise we feel like it's tough to get him out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bedtime ten latest on weekdays and he's fighting us a lot he needs his sleep as do we. We take away phone etc at night but he gets really obstinate. Says he hates sleeping because then he has to wake up and deal with his "terrible" life the next day. Advice?

Lack of sleep might be the symptom, not the problem.

Lack of sleep actually IS the problem for many people, young and old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We turned of my kid's internet access on all her devices at ten PM. Worked great.

How do you do this? Is there an app? or do you work with the phone company? we have AT&T

Turn off the router.