My 16 year old goes to bed at 10 because she gets up at 5:50.

Anonymous wrote:I'd like my 16 yr old to go to bed at 11:00. I know he will have an easier time focusing in school and he needs a good night sleep. He watches tv or is on the computer most of the night (he says he he has done his homework). He often argues about going to sleep and says "I"ll go to sleep soon." He doesn't want us to tell him when to go to sleep. Do you tell your 16 yr old when to go to sleep? I do think I could tell him no tv or computer after 10 or 11.

I would go with setting a "no electronics after 9:00" or something, then see if he starts to go to bed earlier. They say that electronics stimulate you, so it's harder to fall asleep.

My rule is my 15-year-old must go to bed at 10:30 on week nights, no electronics allowed. She has to get up at 6:15, so that's not even 8 hours. She can stay up as long as she wants on the weekends. Sometimes her TV is on all night on Saturdays, even if she's asleep, but I'm OK with that since she's pretty compliant on the week nights.

You can turn off the wireless modem at night - or put it on a timer (password-protected). I've not actually done this but understand that it's not hard.

Anonymous wrote:They are in the common area.

Then no computer or TV after say, 10PM. That is reasonable and supported by studies about sleep:

http://lifehacker.com/5524849/ban-portable-electronics-before-bed-for-more-restful-sleep

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/health/05light.html?pagewanted=all

Our 15yo stays up as late as he likes, but the computer is off-limits after 9:30-10PM.

He should set his own bedtime and live the consequences, but I agree with PP, no computer, TV, phone, or other gadget in his room. All of those things have to be in the common area. If you think he will sneak portable gadgets into his room after you go to bed, then keep them in your own bedroom at night.

Works for us.

We don't have a set bedtime but do remind the kids that they need to get to bed. 16 yo goes to bed between 11:00 and 12:30 with a few later nights. Playing sports and the 6:40 bus help self regulate sleep times. We push for early bedtimes before standardized tests, games, etc.

16 year olds are old enough to regulate their bedtime. It is time to start devolving some responsibility.

I'm with :50 -- I think he's too old for a bedtime. He needs to learn how to regulate his own sleep, even if that means making mistakes along the way. Honestly, I don't see how you even enforce a bedtime with a child that old.

You can absolutely set limits on bedtime. Why not? To the PP who says college is coming up in 2 yrs, 2 yrs is a long time from now and much will change between then and now. 16 yo need their sleep and 11 is plenty late to be going to sleep.

Is he using the internet on the computer? Turn it off every night at 10pm. I know many families who have a check in rule for their kids electronics. At 10pm the phones go on the charger in the kitchen. The wi-fi goes off at 10pm.

At 16, I don't really know if you can insist on a bedtime. remember that in just two years he will be in college -- then what? Try having a talk with him? Does he run late in the morning because he has trouble waking up? Are his grades or health suffering? If yes, discuss the important role that sleep plays. If he's fine and you just (understandably) worry that he's sleep deprived, I'd let him work it out. He will have to figure this out sooner or later. Encourage but don't nag.

They are in the common area.

Easy. No tv or computer in his room. Keep them in the common area.

I'd like my 16 yr old to go to bed at 11:00. I know he will have an easier time focusing in school and he needs a good night sleep. He watches tv or is on the computer most of the night (he says he he has done his homework). He often argues about going to sleep and says "I"ll go to sleep soon." He doesn't want us to tell him when to go to sleep. Do you tell your 16 yr old when to go to sleep? I do think I could tell him no tv or computer after 10 or 11.