: What to do about night owl kids? Possible Duplicate: Nightowl at 5 years old. Any way of dealing with it? Our 3 and 5 year-olds won't sleep before 10 pm and won't wake up before about 9 am. They share the same bedroom.

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You haven't explained what they are doing instead (fighting, running around, watching TV??) so there may be many options, but try the following to get them in a bedtime mood earlier:

try having bathtime and teeth cleaning at 7pm
allow them a little time in pyjamas to read or other restful activity
warm milk helps calm alert children
read them a story in bed if they are behaving and settled early
lights out by 8

Definitely don't let them watch TV - it doesn't help small children get a restful sleep.

Also, if they still have a nap time during the day, make sure it's not too late in the day. If the nap from 2 to 4 in the afternoon, they're not likely to be sleepy at 7. Shorter, earlier naps, or possibly none at all.

In the mornings, get them up at the time you require. They may be tired and grumpy until they have sorted out the schedule change, but that is normal.

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I agree with Rory, but would expand on the answer some.

My wife and I came up with the following practices to deal with this issue over the years.

1/ Make a standard night routine.

2/ Wake up time is what really matters. If the kid wakes up grumpy, the kid goes to bed earlier that evening.

3/ Worry less about whether the kids are sleeping and more about whether they are in their room quiet. Who cares if they stay awake for a couple of hours after bedtime, as long as they are quiet, let you alone, and wake up in a good mood.

4/ Avoid long naps, but an afternoon quiet time is very appropriate.