Once kids hit middle school and high school, bedtime can start to feel like an outdated parenting rule. But some parents are continuing to set firm bedtimes for their older children, arguing that consistent sleep schedules matter even when kids are old enough to manage more of their own routines.
For parents of tweens and teens, setting a bedtime isn’t necessarily about controlling every minute of a child’s evening. Instead, it can provide structure at an age when homework, sports, socializing and screens can easily push sleep further down the priority list.
Some parents interviewed by Business Insider say they continue enforcing bedtimes because teenagers don’t always recognize how much sleep they need. One parent described bedtime as a “non-negotiable,” particularly because tired teens may struggle to recognize that their late-night choices will affect them the next day.
That doesn’t mean older kids can’t have more independence. Parents can gradually involve tweens and teens in deciding what bedtime works, while still setting expectations around when devices go away, when lights go out and how much sleep they need.
The Benefits of a Consistent Bedtime
Research from Penn State found that children with more consistent bedtimes tended to have fewer emotional and behavioral difficulties. The study followed 143 children and found that greater bedtime variability was associated with more problems with emotional regulation and behavior.
“Having a consistent bedtime is an important aspect of children’s overall health,” said Douglas Teti, distinguished professor of human development and family studies at Penn State. The researchers suggest that predictable routines may help children transition more smoothly from daytime activity to sleep.
A regular bedtime may also make mornings easier. When children know what to expect each night, parents don’t have to reinvent the routine every evening or negotiate from scratch about when it’s time to put away the phone and go to sleep.
Why Regular Sleep Matters for Kids and Teens
Sleep isn’t simply downtime; it’s an important part of healthy development. Pediatric guidance recommends that children ages 6 to 12 generally get 9 to 12 hours of sleep per night, while teenagers need about 8 to 10 hours.
Getting enough sleep can support learning, attention, mood, physical health and overall functioning. A predictable bedtime routine can also help children associate certain activities—such as reading, bathing and dimming the lights—with winding down for sleep.
For teens especially, the goal doesn’t have to be an inflexible 9 p.m. bedtime. What matters most is helping them establish a schedule that provides enough sleep consistently, even as their school, social and extracurricular demands change.
Ultimately, a bedtime can become less about a specific clock time and more about teaching children to value sleep. As kids get older, parents can gradually hand over responsibility while continuing to make healthy sleep a family priority.
