Why I Put My Kids To Bed At 7 Every Night + Brentwood Home Twin Mattress Giveaway!!
As a mother to four young children I can speak from experience when I say sleep begets sleep. What does this mean? In a nutshell, well-rested children sleep better, whereas sleep-deprived children often have a harder time sleeping well. I have found this to be true with all four of my children and while it certainly applies to us, I realize this won’t apply to everyone. I’ll share with you why I put my kids to bed at 7 every night and the benefits we’ve seen from it. You’ll want to read through to the end as I am also giving away this amazing Brentwood twin mattress valued at $349 to one of you lucky readers!
People are often very surprised when I tell them that I put my kids to bed at 7 every night. They usually laugh and say they wish their kids went to bed that early but it would never happen. I have to tell you that there are many surprising benefits to putting kids to bed early each night.
I should also share that at a parents meeting a year ago we were all sharing what time our kids went to bed. Many parents shared of their bedtime struggles and late nights for their kids. It seemed the common thread was that kids who slept less also had a harder time going to bed early. Another parent shared that her kids went to bed at 6pm every night. Here I though my bedtime was early! The common thread amongst the earlier to bed parents was that they had less bedtime struggles as well. This goes along with my theory that sleep begets sleep. Read on…there are more benefits and tips I am eager to share with you. Let me also remind you that I realize this doesn’t work for all and isn’t a one size fits all approach!
By putting our kids to bed by 7 every night I help to ensure that my kids get the recommended amount of sleep for their age. It may be surprising to many adults that kids require 10-12 hours of sleep a night in order to properly grow and rest. Their brains need that time to build new pathways and allow the day’s information to be processed. Unlike adults, kids need more sleep than the recommended 8 hours. By putting my kids to bed by 7, they wake up around 6:30-7am each day, thus getting 11-12 hours of sleep a night.
We certainly have days when they don’t go to bed by 7 (vacation, holidays, some weekends) and I can tell you I see a huge difference in their behavior and patience level. They get frustrated more easily, are less patient with one another and tend to cop an attitude due to their tired state of mind. Even if they don’t have issues the night they stay up late, they inevitably are cranky the following day.
It is clear to me by their behavior and their ability to easily fall asleep each night, that they need those 11-12 hours of sleep each night. There’s no question about that! If you are struggling with a tired, cranky, irritable child I highly recommend trying an earlier bedtime. Move their current bedtime up by 30 minutes at a time, gradually, until you reach your desired bedtime.
Not only is going to bed by 7 beneficial for my children’s health and mind, but it is also beneficial for our family as a whole. The time between 7 and 9pm is valuable time for my husband and I to talk about our day and unwind together. I get the dishes done, the house put back together for the following day and get to take a breath and collect my thoughts. Having quality time together is highly beneficial for our marriage. Taking care of your marriage through the busy days of having small children is a must! Ensure your kids have parents who are together and love each other for their whole life.
This is also quality self time. As moms we can tend to put ourselves last on the list. I make a point to take a bath each night and relax, even if it’s just for 30 minutes. By having my kids in bed I have an easier time snagging this valuable self time. I often work late into the night as blogging during the day when they are awake just isn’t an option. Having a little self time helps me keep my sanity!
Besides putting my kids to bed by 7 every night for their health and mine, there are also some other important bedtime tips I have to share with you to help them get the best sleep they can!
-Ensure your child is sleeping in a room that promotes sleep. Ensure that the room is quiet and dark. We use room darkening curtains that are especially useful in summer when daylight runs late into the night! We also keep their rooms cool (not cold or hot) to help them be able to snuggle under their blankets and get cozy.
-In the room my two youngest children share I also use a noise machine to block out noises that might otherwise wake them up.
-There are no screens allowed in their rooms! They may read a book at bedtime and my older two kids are allowed to read until they are sleepy.
-Follow a bedtime routine each night. In our home this means eating dinner, shower time, reading a book and tucking them in. By knowing what to expect, it helps set kids up to fall asleep and not argue about bedtime.
-Make sure your child is sleeping on a quality mattress. My child sleeps on the Brentwood Home Juniper mattress which we love. It has a layer of gel memory foam that provides personalized support and cooling comfort. We all know that kids can sleep anywhere so they may not appreciate the amazing support as much as we do, however as a parent I also love that this mattress gives me peace of mind in knowing he is sleeping on a mattress free of flame retardants, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates.
-If your child is 2 years old or younger they should also be taking naps during the day. Remember sleep begets sleep!
I hope these tips, along with my reasoning and surprising benefits of putting my kids to bed at 7 every night, helps you conquer some of your bedtime struggles. I’d love to hear in the comments if you find that more sleep = more sleep and less sleep = less sleep, as I have found.
Who wants to win this amazing Brentwood Home Juniper mattress and help your kids sleep better each night? Enter to win below!! Buy one and use this Brentwood Home coupon code OURHOME for 10% off the entire Brentwood Home site! Check out their adult mattresses as well! They have a wide range of amazing mattresses to choose from. Plus they ship rolled and fluff right up into these amazing, comfortable mattresses so no more hauling one home on the roof of your car!!
Win! One lucky reader will win a Brentwood Home Twin Juniper Mattress! Enter below in the Rafflecopter form.
Only a few weeks old right now, so not too much routine yet!
I would live to have this mattress because baby 7 is on the way and everyone needs to move up beds?
I would love to have this because it will save us some money from having to buy one!
My children go lay down at about 8:30pm & fall asleep between 9pm-9:30pm. This would be awesome to win because who doesn’t love a new mattress!
we always read a book of their choice
bedtime is 9pm, but we read for about a half hour before they’re asleep
We’ve always done 8pm, but now are moving to 730 on Wednesday and Thursday nights, as the kids are more tired later in the week (4 & 5 year olds).
like to win this
My son goes to bed at 815 on the dot every night (except weekends). 7 year olds are early birds so we need them to get the best quality sleep they can get.
I would don’t currently have children, but I would love it for a guest bed for when my boyfriend’s niece or nephew come to visit.
Sleep approaches are definitely not a one size fits all – like you say – but I too have found through trial and (lots of) error that an earlier bedtime seems to promote better sleep and more sleep. One more thing that I’ve found works better for us as parents (and our individual happiness) is to divide bedtime duties. We used to do bedtime as a family, which seemed like important time, but because it was taxing, quickly became time that everyone dreaded. Now we switch off, so one of us has bedtime time off every other day or ther eabouts. It’s a lot of work the night that it’s your turn, but the night you have off is really nice too. It works for us, for now!
My son doesn’t always sleep well and could really use a new mattress.
Girls go to bed by 8:30. Ready for bed and reading books by 8:30 and lights out around 9
My son plays sports right now it is basketball so by the time he gets home , eats, does homework he is ready for bed by 9. He has always been an easy kid to put to bed.
I would love to have the juniper mattress because it is of great quality and I could really use a new one for my son.
We have a warm bath with bubbles and toys. After we brush hair and teeth it’s time for bed and we usually read 2 or 3 books.
we read a book and go to bed. its stressful though and I think my LO having a better mattress would help her sleep better
Alysia is in bed and asleep by 8pm,no excepctions!
I would love to win this because my son really needs a new mattress.
I would love to have this for my guest bedroom. I have a frame, but no mattress, and it would make my guests so comfy.
This would make the sleep routine for my daughter so much easier. She would sleep better, and I would be able to sleep better as well..
Right now my kids sleep is anything but routine.
Our sleep routine is pretty good now. Story, tucking in, hugs and high fives!
My daughter is in the first grade. She bathes, I read her a book and time for bed by 8:30pm.
We take a bath, have a snack and cuddle together in bed. My son loves to talk about his day and we talk about what we are looking forward to.
Our grands live with us, ages 5 & 6. First year they really have to have a structured schedule for school. Our 6 year old lives with us half time. It was unexpected when his dad lost his job. At this point he sleeps on blow up mattress. I would love for him to have a real bed. I would have him sleep with his cousin, but they would play all night. LOL!
I need this mattress because I have one of my grandchildren here every weekend. Right now he sleeps on a little futon or in the bed with us. We have a frame and all but no mattress. He stays here every chance he gets. lol
I have 3 kids they all have a twin mattress but because of their variation on age they have completely different bedtime routines.
My youngest is a teenager and I hate to admit it, but he has developed some bad sleeping habits. He tends to stay up too late and then want to sleep all day! He could definitely use a new mattress and an improved sleep routine.
Since July I’ve had three different relatives visit in California from back east. Somewhat embarrassing,I had a spare bedroom with no bed. We made due, but I need to get a mattress in that spare bedroom.
I’d love to win this as we need a new mattress!
My Son is in Kindergarten so 8 oclock bedtime is strictly enforced. We lie in the bed together at 745 and read a couple stories before I kiss him goodnight.
My grandchildren are on a routine my daughter has a system down both kids are in bed by 7:30 pm one is 6 and other 2 and just had a newborn baby boy. She was brought up on a bedtime routine and she knows how well it works and children need there sleep. I have seen families and there young kids are still up at 11pm at night ouch that’s nuts.. but my grandson needs a new mattress this would be awesome
We always start the bedtime routine around 7:15 with the goal of our little guy being asleep by 8:00.
Our routine is pajamas on, brush his teeth, read to him and tuck him into bed.
I would love to have this for my granddaughter as she stays with me every weekend. She generally is in bed by 9 PM on school nights and by 11 PM on weekends.
I have 3 kids, and each has a different bedtime. My youngest goes at 9 and my teens by 11.
My son’s routine is Pj’s on, brush teeth, story and tuck in time with a high five
My 2 year old hates bed time! We brush teeth and read before bed.
This is such a fabulous giveaway ! I have a teenage daughter with neck pain mostly at night time from a car accident when she was young with Grandma and from playing sports ,this would be fabulous ! I’m a single Mom so things are right sometimes so this would be a blessing !! Ty for the opportunity ! Mary (:
My daughter is 16 and goes to bed pretty late. But she would love a new mattress — I don’t even remember when we bought it, it is so old!
I just left a comment under the name Krissie E. My Facebook name is Pudyqat — just so you know I entered,
my son goes to bed after watching you tube he would love to have a new mattress
Routine is a bath and on bed by 9.
My daughter really needs a new mattress!!!!
My son’s routine – bed by 8:00, toss and turn for an hour, ask for milk, stall to go to bed, AND finally out cold. LOL
My kids always wanted to watch something as a family together before we all went to bed.
I would love this so my nieces and nephews have something to sleep on when they come visit us.
My granddaughter is moving in in June and instead of a fold up cot that feels worse than the floor… I would love to have it for my granddaughter. Our routine when children are over or when my kids were little was home from school, snack with a little TV 4:30 homework… supper at 6:00… more homework if they’re not done or play time outside. If cold they got to watch TV a bit… 8:00 shower… 9:00 for the younger ones in bed and older ones got to bed by 9:30 p.m.
Merry Christmas!
I would love this for my niece when she comes over!
We put our kids to sleep and often share a family bed… would love to have a new mattress to share together!
We used to put our kids to bed at 7 when they were smaller. Though they stay up later now, we still have a routine that includes showers, prayers, and a cuddle. I’d like to have the twin mattress because I want to set up a trundle bed in my daughter’s room.
My granddaughter goes to bed at 8 pm every night. She really needs a new mattress on her bed. The one she has offers no support and she definitely needs support as she is growing.
My Grands must be in bed by 9.
this would be so great for my kids
My daughter goes up to bed at 8 and then she reads for a 1/2 hour. She could use a new mattress.
we love reading before bed
My Granddaughter is nearly ready to move from her toddler bed. So this would be perfect.
it looks extremely comfortable
we read at night
I would love to have the mattress for my guest room for my nephews
We have a very small extra bedroom that we can only have a twin bed in and it doesn’t have the greatest mattress on it…this one would be great!
It’d be great to have a backup mattress for my little girl’s room. Now if only I could get her to sleep in the bed that she has now.
Oh man this would be Awesome for my little boys. His sleeping patterns have been a bit messed up lately! I bet this bed would help! Thanks for the opportunity!
We have a nightly bedtime and we make sure they get plenty of sleep – this would be awesome!
My daughter showers and reads a bit before bed.
Our 2 youngest, June and Joee, are 6 and 3 and they have a bedtime routine that works for all of us! After dinner, which is around 5, they take a bath and brush their teeth. Then they get into their PJ’s and each pick a book. I read to them until 7:00, and then they have 20 minutes of quite time where they can read to themselves or colors on their tablets. Then, it’s lights out! Every night by 7:30 they are both sleeping, and I don’t have any problem waking them up in the morning:) They just got new bunk beds, and I’d love to win this mattress for our 6 year old! Thanks so much for the chance!!
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I would love to win this because my daughter needs a new matttress and I want her to have a really good one.
My youngest is in bed around 8-9. My older 2 go to bed at 9 on school nights. We could use this for my sons new bed!
He sleeps well..always read a book and bedtime
My daughters routine before bed is to pick up whatever toys she has gotten out, brush her teeth, put pajamas on, read a book with mom and little brother and then lights out.
This would be wonderful to win for my son, his mattress is a hand me down and not in the best shape
I would like this for my niece.
Bedtime around here is 8 PM… since my kids don’t have to get up until 7 the next morning for school, they get more than 10 hours to rest.
We usually try to be brushed, jammies and in bed by 8 or 830
Our children go to bed about 7:30pm , Dad reads to them and prays with them and after that — quiet time. This would be awesome to win because we need a new mattress!
My kids could definitely use a new mattress – they both have wore out mattresses
My kids go to bed at 8. We have bath time then story time, then bedtime 🙂 My youngest little boy is still in a toddler bed and will soon be ready for a big boy bed. This would be perfect!
I would love to win this AMAZING giveaway for my daughter since she needs a bigger mattress and a new bed. Thanks for the chance and I wish you a very happy and prosperous new year.