Q: Is it okay to keep my kid up late for special events?

Skills

In some cultures, children stay up much later than children in the United States. Routines are important for young children. At the same time, attending special family events makes for great childhood memories. Try to have your child get an extra nap in that day, make sure there is a quiet place for your child to safely rest if he or she gets tired or cranky at the event, and plan ahead for an early retreat if it proves to be too much. Also arrange to allow your child to sleep a little later the next day. Be aware that just one night of staying up late can set you back to square one in establishing a sleep routine. However, the extra effort to get back on track may be worth it to build fun family memories on special occasions.
Candace Lindemann

Children's Author & Education Consultant

Candace Lindemann is a published children’s writer and educational consultant. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. You can also find Candace blogging at http://NaturallyEducational.com. While Candace’s degrees prepared her for a career in education, she’s found that the best preparation for parenting is on-the-job training.