Anonymous wrote:My 7th grader is in bed by 8:30 and asleep NLT 9:00. He's up at 6:00 to walk the dogs. I also have 2 slightly younger kids who are in bed by 8:00. I don't know why people think this is such a big deal. Probably those who think our no-screen time during the week is also too strict. Whatever. It works for us.

Sounds rationale to me! We have a rule that electronics aren't allowed in the bedroom.

My daughter is now in 7th and since 6th our rule has been 9pm bedtime but she can read until 9:30. We've found age often disappears earlier and we find her sound asleep at 9. After trying to stay up late for sleepovers, she came to her own conclusion that she prefers her sleep.

My 11 year old has lights out by 8:45 and usually sleeps til 7:30-8. I have no idea how long it takes him to fall asleep. My 7 year old is in bed by 7:45 and I have been having to wake her for school at 7:30 this week. They are at their best with early bedtimes, and it gives us alone time too, although i like to go to bed at 10 so not that much. Frankly I am not looking forward to later bedtimes because of this!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bedtime at 10-11p?? That's insane for a child. When did that become normal? My guess is that kids are chronically sleep deprived these days.

I don't know that its "normal" but if the kid is doing fine with 8 hours of sleep (1030-630) what's the problem?

I don't think 8 hours is enough for an 11 year old.

Based on what? I base the evaluations of most of my decisions on observable outcomes, and I agree with the PP -- if the kid is doing fine why mess with a working schedule?

My 7th grader is in bed by 8:30 and asleep NLT 9:00. He's up at 6:00 to walk the dogs. I also have 2 slightly younger kids who are in bed by 8:00. I don't know why people think this is such a big deal. Probably those who think our no-screen time during the week is also too strict. Whatever. It works for us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bedtime at 10-11p?? That's insane for a child. When did that become normal? My guess is that kids are chronically sleep deprived these days.

I don't know that its "normal" but if the kid is doing fine with 8 hours of sleep (1030-630) what's the problem?

I don't think 8 hours is enough for an 11 year old.

Anonymous wrote:Of course the National SLEEP Foundation is going to recommend everyone sleep more. It's not realistic. Work, kids, household chores and enjoying a family life - there are only 24 hours in a day and this life isn't a dress rehearsal - enjoy your sleep - i am letting my son watch Monday night football!

How does the National Sleep Foundation benefit from people sleeping more?

Anonymous wrote:Bedtime at 10-11p?? That's insane for a child. When did that become normal? My guess is that kids are chronically sleep deprived these days.

I don't know that its "normal" but if the kid is doing fine with 8 hours of sleep (1030-630) what's the problem?

Bedtime at 10-11p?? That's insane for a child. When did that become normal? My guess is that kids are chronically sleep deprived these days.

Anonymous wrote:my sixth grader has argued for a later bedtime so we have settled on 10:30. He is up at 6:30. His grades are good, he is involved in lots of activities, teachers say he is doing well so until we see a problem we will let him pick his bedtime.

+1. This is our approach as well. Successfully meeting obligations means the freedom to manage their own life insofar as is practical, unless they show they can't yet handle that level of responsibility.

my sixth grader has argued for a later bedtime so we have settled on 10:30. He is up at 6:30. His grades are good, he is involved in lots of activities, teachers say he is doing well so until we see a problem we will let him pick his bedtime.

My DD is in sixth and almost 12. Her bedtime is 9 or 9:30 but I consider it a success if she's in bed by 10. She gets up at 6:45 or 7.

Of course the National SLEEP Foundation is going to recommend everyone sleep more. It's not realistic. Work, kids, household chores and enjoying a family life - there are only 24 hours in a day and this life isn't a dress rehearsal - enjoy your sleep - i am letting my son watch Monday night football!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the National Sleep Foundation just updated its recommendations:
http://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2015/02/06/how-much-should-you-be-sleeping

6-13 yo should get 9-11 hours; old rec was 10-11.

Maybe that's whats recommended but I don't know many people who could hack that.

I don't know many 11-13 year old kids who would be willing to, or who have that kind of time. That's nearly half your life spent sleeping (almost 12 hours of each 24 hour day). My middle schoolers consistently got around 8 hours; by high school they were lucky to get 6.

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the National Sleep Foundation just updated its recommendations:
http://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2015/02/06/how-much-should-you-be-sleeping

6-13 yo should get 9-11 hours; old rec was 10-11.

Maybe that's whats recommended but I don't know many people who could hack that.