Margaret Sarver

Margaret Sarver, Kansas City Parent Magazine EditorEditor of Kansas City Parent Magazine and Kansas City Baby Magazine, Margaret Sarver, enjoys the joys and challenges of raising two daughters. A former elementary school teacher, she currently spends her days at play group, swim lessons, soccer games and leading Daisy Scout meetings. Her favorite TV show is "The Office" and her favorite movie is "The Shawshank Redemption". In addition to being a busy mom and wife, Margaret enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, traveling, attending concerts and weekly date night with her husband, Ty.


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Summer Bedtimes

by: Margaret Sarver

published on: 6/26/2009 9:49:13 AM

I am a big believer in bedtime and routines. When my children were younger and still took naps, I NEVER left the house or made plans during naptime. I was actually very surprised when I learned that other moms weren’t as structured as I was and that sometimes they even ran errands or made plans during naptime. The whole idea was foreign to me.

At bedtime, my kids are in bed on time and I rarely make an exception. I get it honestly from my mom as I have vivid childhood memories of being in bed during the summer while it was still light out, getting out of bed and watching my neighborhood friends play outside all while I was in bed (now as a parent, I understand why my mom had us in bed so early…she was tired and needed a break from us!).

            So I am wondering what has happened to me this summer? I have pretty much let bedtime fall by the wayside. More times than I can count my girls have been up until 9:30 (and on several occasions, 10:30!) and it is not freaking me out. In fact, I’m enjoying our evening activities. We’ve gone on bike rides, watched movies in our new backyard theater, played on the swing set and have generally just been enjoying the fact that it is staying light out and that we have nowhere to be in the morning.

            I guess I am just surprised at myself. I am typically very rigid and the fact that I have become so lenient with bedtime routines is so un-Margaret-like. Motherhood has taught me all sorts of things that I never knew about myself and might not have ever known had I not become a mom. Just when I think I know myself and my parenting style pretty well, something pops up and I realize that for better or worse, I am constantly changing. In this instance, I think it is good that I have lightened up. I just hope that when school starts back up I am able to snap everyone back into our “normal” routine quickly!

tagged with: Bedtimes Summer

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Comments  4

  • Caroline 26 Jun, 09:59 AM

    Start getting back to the bedtime routine in early August.  Get the girls rested up before school much enjoy the late nights hanging out until then!

  • Chandra 6 Jul, 03:48 PM

    Not having a set bedtime has worked well for our family. My 5 yr old son usually goes to bed when his dad and I do. He doesn't take naps during the day and seems to be ok.  We dont have a very structured routine as far as bedtimes go but that might change once school starts.  I'm sure he will need the extra sleep!

  • Laura 8 Jul, 08:47 AM

    I'm with you on this one - both in having a specific bedtime and in letting it waiver this summer for the first time. We have always had them in bed by 8:45 until this summer. I think it is due to me not working this summer for the first time in their lives and me not needing the extra rest as you said. We even were up until after 11:00pm on the 4th of July and then let the kids play electronic games in bed until they fell asleep so that they could say they were up past midnight! I do plan on easing back into the normal bedtime by the first of August so that it is not a big deal all at once.

  • Terri McCoy 13 Jul, 11:45 PM

    I think children like structure.Therefor there should be a set bedtime schedule every night and that you should stick to it.If you start slackin,then your kids are going to get off there schedule and there going to think that they can get by without going to bed on time.Furthermore the parents need there down time too,to be able to relax an have a little r&r.Parents remember your the parent and there the child,let them know that they go by your rules,don't let them rule you.
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