We had to limit DD's dancing because of the late practices. One class didn't even start until 8:30 and ended at 10. That's outrageous.

She was too wound up afterwards that it took at least 90 mins to settle down and get sleepy. She was in a terrible mood the mornings after those classes since she was only sleeping from around 12 or 12:30 to 5:45.

I'm always shocked at how much the school will allow as well. For example, sometimes kids coming back from games don't get in until 10 or 11. My DS's girlfriend is a theatre kid and had multiple occasions last year where she and the others in the play stayed at the school with the teacher and parent volunteers until after midnight to finish set work.

I'd say sleep trumps everything in terms of importance for healthy growth and psychological development. Followed closely by exercise and nutrition.

So yes, I'd never put my middle school kid in practices that run that late. For us, even ending at 7:30 is late (though we do it). Ideally, my 7th grader is in bed by 8:30, lights out by 9:00. Kids this age need 9-10 hours of sleep.

Late-night sports that lead to sleep deprivation have been shown to increase injury risk amongst teens. As you gauge your club's interest in developing your child's skills (vs. just getting another check) you should look at their practice schedule to see if it makes sense or if it is just more of a money grab trying to squeeze more teams onto a limited space every day.

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering how other pre-teen parents feel about late-evening (I would even say night) sports practices. I just had to pull my middle-school aged kid out of a sport he loves because we found out the practices for his team would run past 9pm. Kids at this age need as much sleep as younger kids, especially with the increased academic load and earlier school start times, but I'm finding that activities tend to go later. Does anyone else have a problem with this?

If he likes this sport, let him do it. Just let him know he needs to get his HW done before practice! This is good practice for time management!!! Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to make time for things that are important to you!

We found a team with earlier practices. Not all Clubs go past 9pm.

OP, I was in the same boat. We decided to pull our son from a sports team that had late practices. Everyone's different but our child really did need the sleep. More power to those who "get by" just fine, but not all do.

Do what's right for your family. Sleep is critical for physical and mental health, and academic performance. There are other ways to be social and physically active. Not doing the one activity is just fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The science on sleep totally supports you pulling him out, OP. I think you already know that though. Don't feel like you should have validation for your decision from other parents because you're probably not going to get it. Most people are fine with late nights for their kids.

+1
The truth is: « in the short term, a lack of adequate sleep can affect judgment, mood, ability to learn and retain information, and may increase the risk of serious accidents and injury. In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation may lead to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even early mortality.«. But that’s only if you believe Harvard Medical school.

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences

I agree and I’m in the minority. For a 13-year old- getting off the field 9:30-9:45, getting home 10pm, showering/snack, bed 10:45 is too late for a kid that has to get up by 6:30am.

People will do anything these days. Nobody has backbone to say it’s ridiculous so they all go along with it. None of these kids are going to be sports superstars.

Don’t know about sports superstars, but many of the kids* of the parents you are sneering at will end up as recruited athletes at good to great colleges, and they’ll be both happy and academically successful there. They will almost certainly not get 10-12 hours of sleep in season, but will deeply enjoy the chances they get to sleep in. What do you think that your super well-rested kids will be doing that is so superior to that?

*And many of these large night sports practicers won’t be recruited athletes. They’ll just enjoy playing for their HS. None of them will look back and say they wished they spent more time at home obeying their parents’ dictates about sleep.

Hey whatever makes you feel ok about denying your kids one of the fundamental needs of humans. Like I said before, you'd never deny food but sleep is ok. Its like diabetes you don't alway see the damage you are doing right away, but as long as Larla goes to a good college then nothing else matters.

Ha! Ok then.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The science on sleep totally supports you pulling him out, OP. I think you already know that though. Don't feel like you should have validation for your decision from other parents because you're probably not going to get it. Most people are fine with late nights for their kids.

+1
The truth is: « in the short term, a lack of adequate sleep can affect judgment, mood, ability to learn and retain information, and may increase the risk of serious accidents and injury. In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation may lead to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even early mortality.«. But that’s only if you believe Harvard Medical school.

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences

I agree and I’m in the minority. For a 13-year old- getting off the field 9:30-9:45, getting home 10pm, showering/snack, bed 10:45 is too late for a kid that has to get up by 6:30am.

People will do anything these days. Nobody has backbone to say it’s ridiculous so they all go along with it. None of these kids are going to be sports superstars.

Don’t know about sports superstars, but many of the kids* of the parents you are sneering at will end up as recruited athletes at good to great colleges, and they’ll be both happy and academically successful there. They will almost certainly not get 10-12 hours of sleep in season, but will deeply enjoy the chances they get to sleep in. What do you think that your super well-rested kids will be doing that is so superior to that?

*And many of these large night sports practicers won’t be recruited athletes. They’ll just enjoy playing for their HS. None of them will look back and say they wished they spent more time at home obeying their parents’ dictates about sleep.

Hey whatever makes you feel ok about denying your kids one of the fundamental needs of humans. Like I said before, you'd never deny food but sleep is ok. Its like diabetes you don't alway see the damage you are doing right away, but as long as Larla goes to a good college then nothing else matters.

Anonymous wrote:I would never allow my kids to play sports that had end times near 10. For our family, it would not work at all. We aren't into sports however.

I do allow my kids to practice their instruments though until 11 pm so I'm not going to criticize families that do it. It's just not worth it to our family.

OP I'm the PP. My point is that if it's not working for you don't do it. Don't worry about what other people think either. I'm criticized all the time from people who disagree with the instrument practices and it goes in one ear and out the other.

I would never allow my kids to play sports that had end times near 10. For our family, it would not work at all. We aren't into sports however.

I do allow my kids to practice their instruments though until 11 pm so I'm not going to criticize families that do it. It's just not worth it to our family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The science on sleep totally supports you pulling him out, OP. I think you already know that though. Don't feel like you should have validation for your decision from other parents because you're probably not going to get it. Most people are fine with late nights for their kids.

+1
The truth is: « in the short term, a lack of adequate sleep can affect judgment, mood, ability to learn and retain information, and may increase the risk of serious accidents and injury. In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation may lead to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even early mortality.«. But that’s only if you believe Harvard Medical school.

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences

I agree and I’m in the minority. For a 13-year old- getting off the field 9:30-9:45, getting home 10pm, showering/snack, bed 10:45 is too late for a kid that has to get up by 6:30am.

People will do anything these days. Nobody has backbone to say it’s ridiculous so they all go along with it. None of these kids are going to be sports superstars.

Don’t know about sports superstars, but many of the kids* of the parents you are sneering at will end up as recruited athletes at good to great colleges, and they’ll be both happy and academically successful there. They will almost certainly not get 10-12 hours of sleep in season, but will deeply enjoy the chances they get to sleep in. What do you think that your super well-rested kids will be doing that is so superior to that?

*And many of these large night sports practicers won’t be recruited athletes. They’ll just enjoy playing for their HS. None of them will look back and say they wished they spent more time at home obeying their parents’ dictates about sleep.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The science on sleep totally supports you pulling him out, OP. I think you already know that though. Don't feel like you should have validation for your decision from other parents because you're probably not going to get it. Most people are fine with late nights for their kids.

+1
The truth is: « in the short term, a lack of adequate sleep can affect judgment, mood, ability to learn and retain information, and may increase the risk of serious accidents and injury. In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation may lead to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even early mortality.«. But that’s only if you believe Harvard Medical school.

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences

I agree and I’m in the minority. For a 13-year old- getting off the field 9:30-9:45, getting home 10pm, showering/snack, bed 10:45 is too late for a kid that has to get up by 6:30am.

People will do anything these days. Nobody has backbone to say it’s ridiculous so they all go along with it. None of these kids are going to be sports superstars.

A 9:30 finish a couple times a week is normal. If you don't like it, then pull your child out or advocate for more fields/courrts/practice space. It's good time management. I would way rather my child be active out with a team than sitting around watching garbage tv.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering how other pre-teen parents feel about late-evening (I would even say night) sports practices. I just had to pull my middle-school aged kid out of a sport he loves because we found out the practices for his team would run past 9pm. Kids at this age need as much sleep as younger kids, especially with the increased academic load and earlier school start times, but I'm finding that activities tend to go later. Does anyone else have a problem with this?

My 13 year old does this but he’s actually gotten much better at managing his time as a result, and he’s very committed to his sport. He doesn’t go to bed until around 10:00 pm anyhow. Did you give your kid a chance to see if he could handle it before you pulled him?

10 is tough. Doesn't he get up around 6 for school?

Not the PP but my son (12) goes to bed at 10. The school bus arrives at 7:05. he gets up at 6:30.