Settling into a relaxed routine during the summer break can be fun for kids, right up until it’s time to go back to school. Nobody wants to have to start going to bed earlier and waking up before noon, which is why nine in 10 parents claim bedtime is the hardest routine to reset at the end of summer, according to a new survey.
The poll of 1,000 moms and dads of kids between the ages of four and 12 also finds:
- Getting back into the habit of doing homework is another big challenge for families (36%) and so is just getting out the door on time for school (26%).
- But, on average, kids go to bed more than an hour later during the summer than they do during the school year, so the sleep routine is a major adjustment.
- Parents know how important it is for their little ones to be well-rested, as 63% report that their kids’ ability to concentrate at school is affected by their bedtime rituals.
- And it’s not just the kids who are affected, 90% of parents say bedtime routines are just as important for them as they are for their kids.
- Nearly half (48%) use set bedtimes to help reinforce good habits and 43% read with their kids before bed.
The Top Reasons Parents Struggle To Get Kids Back Into School-Year Sleep Routines
- Kids resist going to bed earlier
- Later summer bedtimes become the norm
- Too much screen time before bed
- Parents are also out of their usual routines
- Kids are overtired and it’s tough to get them up in the mornings
- Parents feel guilty about saying “no” during summer break
- Forgetting what a “good” bedtime routine even looks like
- Waiting to reintroduce structure until the last few days of summer vacation
Source: Talking Points