Gransnet forums

Grandparenting

How much sleep do your young grandchildren get?

(12 Posts)
JaneJudge Thu 09-Sept-21 09:39:53

Don't they nap at nursery? I think all our various nurseries they had nap time if necessary. One of mine was ALWAYS asleep when I went to pick him up!

timetogo2016 Thu 09-Sept-21 09:37:41

I wouldn`t have a clue what time my g/dhildren go to bed or how much sleep they have and tbh it`s none of my business,my parenting days are .

Lizzy60 Thu 09-Sept-21 09:30:34

In the past bedtimes were earlier & set in stone . In modern times parents allow distractions such as tv & other screens to dictate to them & their offspring . My 4 always slept through & well back in the 90's . Today's methods simply irritate so I keep well out of it whether friends or family . If they wish their kids to 'rule the roost' I hope they find it pleasurable . It wouldn't do for me !

Shropshirelass Thu 09-Sept-21 08:54:09

Mine go to bed early and get up early, I think this is a good routine for later life. However, if they didn’t then it is none of my business. I would keep out of it and let them do their own style of parenting even if you don’t agree.

Grandmabatty Thu 09-Sept-21 08:42:36

I agree with espee. This is not a topic for you to get involved with.

Esspee Thu 09-Sept-21 08:39:02

My advice for you Applegran is that, having spoken on the subject, you should now NEVER mention it again unless asked.

RandyGoldy Thu 09-Sept-21 08:29:50

My grandson gets to sleep at 22:00, and I think it's really late. I think it's because his parents didn't take him to kindergarten, and now he wakes up only at 9:00.

Nanabilly Thu 24-May-18 12:30:48

My gc are in her and asleep by 8 pm on a schoolnight and are free to stay up later at weekends and school holidays but very rarely go past 8pm as they get so tired with all weekend extra activities and fresh air.

Grandma70s Thu 24-May-18 11:48:53

My grandchildren’s bedtimes seem very late to me. Girl of almost 6 goes at 8pm, 9 year old boy at 9 pm. That’s when the lights go out, I think. Reading, baths etc are before that. On schooldays they get up at 7, but the boy says he is often awake at 6.30, so I suppose he’s getting enough sleep.

My children were in bed by 7.30 at the latest when they were primary school age. I don’t think they often went to sleep then, but they were in bed. I needed the break, even if they didn’t.

Greenfinch Thu 24-May-18 11:38:30

None of my under 5 DGCs sleep for more than a couple of hours on the trot despite not having a daytime nap. My DGD who is 10 goes to bed at 9 but is rarely asleep before 11 and her twin (ASD) sleeps for about 6 hours a night without medication which he has only occasionally. They all seem very healthy and full of energy. You cannot force a child to sleep.

stella1949 Thu 24-May-18 11:24:53

My son is a single father - he is up at 4-30am for work. Understandably, he falls asleep by about 8pm every night and his two children put themselves to bed. They have always done this, so their bedtimes have been "random" for years, since he got custody of them when they were 5 and 8.

I'm the "waker-upper" each morning, so I've always been aware of their sleep pattern. I can't say it has caused any problems , apart from the first few months when they both took advantage of the situation and stayed up all night a few times.

Since those early months', they have realised that they need to be in bed at a reasonable hour if they are going to function the next day. They tell me that they always get about 8 hours sleep and that is fine with me. They are 9 and 12 now and both have done very well at school, and socially, since being with their Dad. I think that things work themselves out with children, no matter what their sleep pattern.

Applegran Thu 24-May-18 10:53:25

I have six grandchildren and four of them have, to me, appropriate bed times. Two of them, though, go to bed at irregular times and are rarely asleep before 9.00 or later - sometimes much later. One of these GC is under 4 and goes to kindergarten, so has tiring days, the other is 7. I am concerned as I understand that enough sleep is as important as healthy food, and exercise, but don't see that there is anything I can do about it. I am not their parent and believe strongly in the boundaries which mean it is the parents who make the choices for their children. I have spoken about it to the parents, but can see it is a pattern which works for them and they are unlikely to change it. I don't see a way now to do anything which might help, and there is a risk of just creating irritation if I keep repeating my concerns. Do other Gransnetters have concerns about GC and sleep? And any advice for me?