Do you think using bedtime as a punishment causes children to dislike bedtime as much?

Question

Title pretty much says it all. I know bedtime is often used as a punishment for children. I'm not judging if you use it as a punishment for your kids and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, my question is do you think doing that causes a stronger dislike for bedtime? I also know many children don't like going to bed. Do you think they associate it with a punishment, whether they realize it or not?

Answer

I don’t think anything that should be part of a daily routine should be associated with punishment. Also, anything that’s a basic need (going to bed hungry) just isn’t right. A punishment should be losing a privilege, like being grounded from a game/device etc. I also believe in explaining to a child WHY they are being punished so they understand their behaviour was wrong and can better correct it next time.

Answer

I dont see it in itself as the punishment.... the time lost from doing other activities is more so the punishment

Answer

I don’t really think it matters in the long run. If you don’t like going to bed as a kid... okay? When you’re older you’re still going to go to bed at 9pm like the rest of us. 😂

Answer

I don’t find any problem with it. As someone else mentioned, it’s honestly less about the act of them going to bed as the punishment and more about an activity being taken away from them before bedtime, so therefore they’re sent to bed early and lose out on the fun activity.

Answer

I’ve never heard of using bedtime as punishment? Maybe “go to your room” but not go to sleep? 🤔 So I cant say if it’s detrimental or not..

Answer

Are they being sent to bed earlier than normal? If so is 3 in the afternoon or 7 when bedtime is 8? Because if it’s only 30mins to an hour earlier that’s not that bad I don’t do it but it’s not the most terrible thing. Also if it is early in the day how does that even work? I have 4 kids and none of mine will even lay down for a nap when they are exhausted. But bedtime is not hard at all at my house because they have a strict routine we stick too.

Answer

I think it might depend on the child and the age, I use to hate going to bed so I would put it off and keep telling my parents goodnight and eventually they said if I keep doing it I have to go to bed 5 minutes early the next night and add 5 minutes each time I get out of bed. I’m not sure if this has anything do to with it but I got diagnosed with hypothyroid hasimotos and so I slept a ton and loved being in my room. This is all in less than 3 years

Answer

Not something I plan on doing to my kid, no. We’ve agreed on natural consequences for actions. So, if she’s overtired, yeah, we’ll start bedtime, because her body needs sleep. Threw her toy or drew on the wall? No, she can clean it up.

Answer

I was never put to bed for punishment, only sent to my bedroom, mostly because my mom wanted me away from her. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Even if kids loathe bedtime, they’ll learn to love and appreciate it when they’re older. 😂

Answer

Maybe as a kid they would dislike it and think it sucks but I promise when they get older they'll love bed time😂 my parents did it to me and I still love naps hahaha. They'll be ok. If it was up to kids to choose bedtime, they'd be on a wacky sleep schedule! It needs enforcing from parents. And if they act up, theres no problem sending them to bed  30 mins or an hour early🤷🏼‍♀️

Do you think using bedtime as a punishment causes children to dislike bedtime as much?

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