So bedtime for the boys is 8. Well, we go up at 8 and by the time they brush and wash and we read a book and sing a song and kiss a cheek, it's almost 8:30.
Imagine my surprise last night when, at 10:00, I went upstairs and saw that Boy2's light was still on. I walked in and found him reading. Technically, he's allowed to read for 5 minutes before going to sleep. 8:30-10:00 is so not 5 minutes.
So what do you do? Get mad at your kid for staying up late or get happy because your kid stayed up late READING?
I tried to do a measured amount of both.
7 comments:
I've had similar moments with The Child. Usually, after a stern, "you really need your rest" I leave the room and then do a happy dance.
I did the same thing. I would hide a flashlight and read under the covers. I would go into the bathroom and sit on the floor and read. It was crazy! It's a tough call, but there does need to be a boundary.
Depends on what he's reading, I s'pose, but as a general matter you're right. Let 'em read until they drop. Maybe you have a cranky kid in the morning, but the lifetime of big-brained dividends will make it worthwhile.
I used to do that. My parents would eventually come in and take all my books away (the ones that I was currently reading). But, usually, I had one stored in that bathroom that I could sneak out in times of need. Now, at 25, I find myself up reading into the wee hours of the morning...because that's where I lose my self control, in a book :)
You had better not be yelling at my boy for just wanting to be like his mother. Like I have said so many times it all comes around.
That is a delima!
I allow my children to read in bed as long as they want. After too many horrible nights (and I know You've had your part of them too!!! unfortunately we belong to the same group of looser mothers uncapable to make sleep their children before they are at least 4 years old...) I am just HAPPY if my children stay in their bed, make no noise, don't cry, leave me in peace and are happy themselves. So I think it is only nice they spend hours and hours every evening reading their encyclopédie or whatever, nicely staying silently in their bed. And anyway I think they are not having enough time to read whatever they want with the horrible French school days. So I never get mad for that, never.
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