What time is bedtime?

Parents pick a time that is suitable for their kids to go to sleep for many different reasons. We asked our friends over at Facebook what time is bedtime in their household (adding, of course, that only kids have a bedtime, as parents NEVER sleep!). Naturally, the age of the child concerned is the most common reason for earlier or later bedtimes, but there are some other interesting comments:

Early nights, early risers:

• 18.30 bedtime so by 19.00 they’re asleep. Tearra
• My 5 and 8 are showered by 6pm, story time and then bed time. Anton
• My boys, 5 and 2 are asleep by 18h30 and wake up about 06h30. Adele
  

Slowing down at 7

• 20h00 in summer 19h30 winter. Mom and Dad need cuddle time too. Yolika
• 7 for 7.30 during the term for my 6 year old!! Holidays a little later! Lynn
• My boy of 6 who starts school tomorrow and my girl of 4 has been goin to bed by 7:30 for the past few years now! And that's their time even on weekends. They in such a routine already. Candice
  

Mixed times and night owls

• 19h45 for 7yr old,20h30 for 13yr old and 21h00 for 17 year old....all up at 06h00. Debbie
• Kids 12, 15, 3, in bed by 21:00! Up at 06:30! Micky
• I would love the 7H30pm for 8pm cause I need a break after that, i get irritated but they are up after 9pm. I try but husby is not on the same path as me and I sometimes pass-out before they do...! Annoying...! Mhimhi 

Different strokes...

Some schools recommend an earlier night to help pupils with their concentration skills, but the pressure on kids and their parents in terms of chores and homework don’t always allow for early nights. Routine seems to be highly valued amongst those who responded, especially as it allows for parents to have some down-time after the kids are asleep (or at least some time to catch up on cleaning, cooking and preparing for the next day).

Encouragingly, many of our parents value story time over late-night TV for their kids. Also, weekends and holidays may mean later nights. Some also introduce a reward system or a sliding scale: Older kids get to stay up later, younger kids go to bed earlier, and babies just stay up all night...

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Have you found a bedtime routine which has worked for your family? What tips would you give to other parents?