Thursday, June 30, 2011

My biggest pet peeve about parenting



Mama’s Losin’ It


This post was inspired by Mama Kat's writing work shop. She wanted us to "stir the pot" as she put it and write about our biggest pet peeve when it comes to other parents and their parenting. I thought " oh this is a good one."  So, I started thinking  about what really gets me mad or bothers me when it comes to other people and how they parent their kids. Mind you,  I know that every parent has the right to raise their kid as they see fit,  I mean it is their kid. I would never say anything to a parent about their parenting skills, unless you ask and believe me, if you ask I will give you my honest opinion, not just what you want to hear.

So, what is my biggest pet peeve about other parents and their parenting?  I don't understand and I don't think I will ever understand how there are parents and I know a few, that don't give kids a set bed time.  I mean, lets be real, What  could a preschooler be doing up at  10:30PM?  Please explain it to me, because I, for one, don't get get it.

To some of you , this might not be a big deal and I guess it depends on the age of the kids and other factors, for example, your own upbringing.  My mom, for example, had  us in bed by 9:00PM   on  school nights and on the weekends we could stay up a little later. That of course, changed as we got older, but I remember that on school nights, bed time was 9:00PM sharp.  I didn't understand it back then of course, but I sure understand it now.

My son, as many of you may know is 3 yrs old and he goes to preschool. He's bed time is 8:30P. On the weekends, I let him stay up until maybe 9:00P, no later. Now there may be some occasions, like new year's eve for example, that he could stay up later, if he wants to, but come on new year's  is only once a year.

What gets me even more mad, is that these are  the same parents that are complaining because the kids don't want to get  up in the morning or because they are sleepy, hmm I wonder why?

In conclusion, I personally think its important for kids to have a set routine, especially on the weeknights and part of that is having a set bed time. This is pretty big at our house. Ralphy knows everything that needs to be done before bed time and he does it. There might be a little whining or screaming on he's part, but hey, he is a kid. One thing I can assure you, when Ralphy hears mommy or daddy say its bed time,  he knows we mean business and he  knows exactly what to do.

Please share your opinion. Do you think its important for kids to have a set bed time?



8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great points

michi said...

I have tried it all to get my munchkin into a routine. I try putting her to sleep early didn't work putting her to sleep "late" (10pm)didn't work either. These days she's usually down by 830pm but man it takes work.

This child does not like to sleep! And that whole paragraph about not wanting to wake up in the morning. FANTASY! I wish this child didn't want to wake up lol.

Alex said...

Michi- that's my point you try and your baby is not even 1 yet.. this is more about the parents that don't care what time they go to sleep. I know a few of those.

Alicia said...

I hear that! Aiden is in bed by 8:30pm (on nights when I didn't have class and school). No if's and's or but's. The routine is set -- after dinner it's bath, story, prayers, hugs and kisses, and bed time. Even if he doesn't fall asleep right away, he still has to stay in the room in the bed.

Jackie said...

My son started school last year, so he definitely had a set schedule. He was in bed by 830-900pm. Weekends, I let him stay up a little late.

Now that he's on summer vacation, however, he stays up really late. And the reason is because my husband works nights. He pretty much has to be on his schedule so that he isn't up early in the morning waiting for him to get up. That's how it works for us.

Alex said...

Thanks for your comments.. I love to hear your thoughts.

KatBouska said...

Totally know what you're talking about! There are parents who let their kids stay up until they just kind of collapse on the floor and go to sleep. There is no routine, no set bed time, no real guidance at all...they stay up until they can't keep their eyes open. Drives me crazy too!

Alex said...

Mama Kat- omg!! its so annoying... lol