Here’s Why You Might Want To Rethink Bedtime For Your Kids

What time is bedtime for your kids?

So is it time to give your kids an earlier bedtime? It might be. In the article, Dr. Weissbluth says parents should observe their toddler's behavior between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. or between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. if their child is older. If they're grumpy, irritable, or lethargic, they may need an earlier bedtime. He suggests trying to put your child to bed 20 minutes earlier for a few nights in a row. “If he falls asleep easily, then chances are he or she should be going to bed earlier.”

I'm still not sure if an earlier bedtime will work in my home, but I'm willing to give it a try. Because while those extra few minutes are nice, they're often filled with angsty behavior that just makes me wish we had put them to bed earlier. If you're not convinced that 7:30 p.m. is right for your child, check out this bedtime chart based on age and usual wake-up time that the administrators at Wilson Elementary School in Kenosha, WI, distributed to their families. It just may convince you that your child needs more sleep!

You can see the article that changed this mom's mind on Pop Sugar. When you're finished, leave a comment and share your thoughts on an earlier bedtime for your kids