Mom's Talk Q&A: Bed Time During the Summer

Now that school is out, the kids don't have to get up early. It also means they don't have to go to bed at their usual time, right?

It's so tempting to let the kids stay up late watching movies, playing games and having sleepovers. Of course that also means they'll sleep in every day, which can be a blessing for parents at home since we now have to fill the daytime hours.

What's the harm in letting the kids enjoy their summer? Let's say we do let them stay up late and sleep late. We have to wonder what it does to their internal clocks.

When Benicia schools start again in August, will it be impossible to get the kids back on schedule? Some doctors say it only takes two to three days to get back on an earlier sleep schedule, so maybe it's not such a bad thing.

Then again, children need structure and routine, so maybe it's better to simply extend bedtime and keep a routine during the summer.