Neighbor News
BEDTIME!
Kids want to stay up late because they're kids. And because we're parents we need to put them to bed on time for their own good. Just do it!
I watch my children every night wanting to, and even trying to stay up later; but the bottom line is that they shouldn’t and thus they don’t. My wife and I make sure that they don’t stay up too late. Now, on the other side of this coin, I also notice most nights that my wife and I want to, and even try to go to bed earlier, but we shouldn’t because of all the things that we still have to get done as parents. In the end we don’t get what we want either, which is to bed earlier. Ironically both the older and the younger are chasing opposite wants, and neither usually gets what they want. That's life. So, let's just put them to bed, okay?
However, some kids are not put to bed by their parents and end up exhausted during the day at school. These are the kids with their heads down on their desks. Sadly, their grades are low and school is not a place they like because their teachers keep attempting to wake them up when all they really want is to just go back to sleep.
I tell my tired students that they need to force themselves to get up early and then force themselves to work hard all day at school and around the house so that sleep is not so elusive at night, but rather comes easier so that they can be better rested. I feel this is great advice for our kids who are staying up too late, but I also know that our kids are still just kids and they still need our help. So to that point parents, please join me in calling out loud and clear for all kids to hear… BEDTIME!
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Now as my Granddaddy always said, “Go learn, lead, and lay the way to a better world for all of us.” Let’s remember that our children’s youth is going to make them want to stay up later, and our years into this game combined with wisdom should persuade us to put them to bed. So, let’s make them go to bed! And once again parents, thanks in advance for all that you do, and all that you will do…
Daniel Blanchard is a New Britain Schoolteacher who has written teen leadership books and is now writing a parenting book. Dan has also appeared on over 100 television and radio shows. Learn more about Dan at: www.GranddaddysSecrets.com
