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Dork Diaries Book 14

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December 30, 2018

HOW CAN I GET A LATER BEDTIME?!

Hey Brandon,

I need help! My parents treat me like I’m two years old!!! Okay, maybe not TWO. But I’m tired of feeling like a little baby! They make me go to bed at EIGHT!!! My older siblings get to stay up until nine, but no matter how many times I ask, they won’t let me stay up later! How do I get them to change their minds?!

Bedtime Blues

Hey Bedtime Blues,

This is one of those things where parents really think they’re doing what’s best for you. And in some ways, they’re right. All kinds of studies show how important good sleep habits are for…pretty much everything! Mood, health, grades, etc.

But sometimes we outgrow rules while parents are still holding onto them. I think it’s reasonable for bedtimes to get later as we get older. It sounds like just asking hasn’t worked for you, so let’s try another approach.

First of all, consider HOW you’re asking. Are you genuinely asking, or are you complaining/whining/throwing a fit at the end of the day when they’re exhausted and way more likely to just shut down any complaints?

Whenever you want something from your parents, it’s a good idea to ask for it at a peaceful time, when everyone is well-rested and in a good mood. You want to acknowledge their concerns by telling them you appreciate that they want you to get a good night’s sleep. But, you should also tell them how you feel by pointing out that, as you get older, you have a hard time falling asleep so early. Then, you need to lay out a plan to show them you’re ready for the new bedtime you’re suggesting.

For a later bedtime, here are some things you might propose:

  1. A trial run of a later bedtime: If they think a later bedtime means you won’t get to school on time in the morning, you’ll be grumpy during the day, or your schoolwork with suffer, propose a trial run. Maybe you get your bedtime moved back for two weeks, and in that time you show them how you can keep up with your responsibilities. And maybe take it in smaller steps; instead of a whole hour later, suggest a half hour to start.
  2. Later bedtime on the weekends: If part of their concern is your ability to do what you need to on schooldays, they might agree to a later bedtime on weekends or school breaks. That would give you a chance to show them you can be responsible with a later bedtime. Just keep in mind that a dramatically later bedtime on weekends can make it hard to get back on schedule during the school week.
  3. An in-your-room hour. See if they would agree to a set time when you’ll be in your room, but that you don’t have to go to sleep then. I think parents want us to be winding down by a certain time, but part of it is also that they are exhausted and want to start winding down themselves. So if they know you won’t be asking them for anything or making noise or bickering with your siblings, they might be more likely to let you stay up later.

I hope that helps! And I hope our readers have more ideas for you too.

Have you successfully convinced your parents to allow a later bedtime? Tell us your ideas in the comments!

Category: Ask Brandon Tags: bedtimenikki

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Comments

  1. #spicyforlifesies says

    January 13, 2019 at 9:07 am

    it really depends on which grade yr in. if your in 2or 3 grade 8 is a appropriate bedtime.maybe even 4 grade.

  2. Pandacorn Lover says

    January 12, 2019 at 10:22 pm

    I don’t have any probs like this

  3. crazy colors says

    January 12, 2019 at 8:13 pm

    I have sorta the same problem. The thing that is different is that I can stay up in’till 8:30. The other different thing is that my older sibling gets to stay up in’till any time she wants. Same with my baby sister. On weekends I get to stay up in’till 12:00. What I do is I beg them to stay up later. Sometimes on school days I get to stay up in’till 9:00 if I beg hard enough. Maybe you should try the same thing. I hope it works for you. I fell really sorry.

  4. feeling sorry for you says

    January 12, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    dude thats sad when i was six my parents let me stay up to 8:45 on school days and as long as i like on other days

  5. eritaded girl says

    January 12, 2019 at 11:23 am

    I have to go to bed at 8. O’clock on school nights scream!!!!!!!!!!!!! But when I’m on vacation I stay up tell 9 or 10can you give me some edvise pls pls pls I want to stay up later on school nights

  6. Anonymous says

    January 11, 2019 at 7:45 pm

    Ohhhh, yeah! Hey at least your not the only one! (read the comments) Like my parents make me go to bed at…..(drumroll)……7:45! MAJOR BUMMER!!! Welllll………(it hurts me to say this, but there are MANY benefits like you get full sleep and stay energized all day long! Whenever I am in a problem involving other people, I think this: always TRY to see things from the other person’s perspective. I know it’s hard, but you have to try, and it helps. Your parents probably think that you need enough sleep. Parents think we will stay little kids forever, so they might be comparing you to a 7-year-old. Like Brandon said, softly approach your parents at the right time. You can do it!

  7. Anonymous says

    January 11, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    My parents do that too…..

  8. neekskyboo27 says

    January 9, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    I feel you although I do wine at my parents so just like Brandon said don’t do that , I have the same problem I go to bed at 8:00 or 8:30 , mostly 8:30 but still here are the things I would do

    *ask nicely
    * be polite
    * make sure everyone is in a good mood , like if there grumpy don’t ask them at that the moment
    * make sure its daytime most people are tired at the end of the day, or they have like headaches
    try and see if these help you ! 🙂

  9. La says

    January 9, 2019 at 6:31 pm

    I stay up til 9……….

  10. Dash68856 says

    January 9, 2019 at 5:08 pm

    The same with me I don’t even have a phone thanks to my parents ):<

    • Anonymous says

      January 11, 2019 at 7:18 pm

      Same here!

  11. I'm livin' that life says

    January 9, 2019 at 12:44 pm

    My parents make me and my siblings go to bed by 8pm which seems super unfair because I’m 13 and my youngest brother is 6. Although we get to stay up till 10pm on holidays and breaks (which is still kind of unfair because the latest bedtime for a 6-year old should be 9pm, but I’ll take what I can get).

  12. #MyParentsHateMe says

    January 9, 2019 at 4:43 am

    I HAVE TO GO TO BED AT 7:00 OR SOMETIMES 7:30 IN VACATION!!!!????? :0 🙁

  13. Happy Dorky Girl says

    January 8, 2019 at 6:53 pm

    Thank you so much! I had the same problem before, then I tried to ask them in the way you suggested, and I got a later bedtime!!
    I used to go to bed at 8:30, now it’s 9:10.

  14. More gameing with my bestie says

    January 8, 2019 at 12:41 pm

    My bestfriend always have to go to bed at 8pm but she got 15 muntues added but shes still had to stop playing at 8pm but i told her bout this and she trying to convince them

  15. Blah blah blah says

    January 8, 2019 at 10:03 am

    My siblings and I go to bed at either 8 or 8:30 pm.
    Usually no later, unless we are out and about.

  16. JustWantToSleep says

    January 7, 2019 at 4:06 pm

    I go to bed at 8- because I want to. middle school starts at 7:30 for me. It stinks.

    • Go Bulldogs says

      January 8, 2019 at 10:44 pm

      I don’t have to start at 7:30- I’M HOMESCHOOLED!!!!!
      😀

    • #I want to be home schooled says

      January 11, 2019 at 9:06 pm

      I wished I am home schooled too it sounds so much better than being in middle school. Or is it?

  17. Thedorkynerdyboy says

    January 7, 2019 at 2:32 pm

    I actually do #2 of what Brandon said. I go to bed at 9:00 on school nights, and 9:30 on breaks or weekends.

  18. Sleepy girls says

    January 7, 2019 at 7:38 am

    I go to bed at eight and I am not a baby

  19. DorkDiareslover says

    January 6, 2019 at 8:29 pm

    i go to sleep at 7:30 and i am 10 yrs old
    relax dude

    • Dash68856 says

      January 9, 2019 at 5:10 pm

      wow even earlier than me *surprised* cause I go to sleep at 8:15

  20. #ARMY says

    January 6, 2019 at 4:39 pm

    I get to go to sleep at 10, when I’m in my room winding down, I either read, knit, or watch funny BTS videos (I loveeeee k-pop). My ultimate bias is Jin or Jungkook.

  21. HermionetheOneandOnly says

    January 6, 2019 at 10:21 am

    If you want to ask your parents, DO NOT under any circumstances:
    1: Scream, insult or whine at your parents – this just makes them annoyed
    2: Be sneaky (for example, going to bed but actually staying up on your phone or playing games)
    3: Don’t nag your parents

    Here’s what you should do:
    1: Be responsible and mature
    2: It helps to make a list of possible arguments that you have – make your arguments reasonable
    3: Talk calmly – avoid yelling or whining

    Hope this helps!
    ~ HermionetheOneandOnly

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