Benjamin Franklin famously stated, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” While charming, this adage doesn’t resonate with parents of children who rise at the crack of dawn. For us, the more fitting descriptors are fatigued, drained, and perpetually sleep-deprived.
My children are early risers—up before 6 a.m. every morning without fail. Thankfully, both wake up in good spirits. The youngest can be heard babbling “da da, ba ba,” while the older one serenades her dolls with impromptu songs. It’s a heartwarming way to start the day, but before I even open my eyes to check the time, I find myself hoping for a miracle: perhaps they’ve slept in just a bit. Alas, it’s usually 5:45 a.m., prompting me to shut my eyes again and silently express my frustration.
Caring for early risers comes with unique difficulties that only those in similar situations can understand. Here are a few notable challenges:
- Limited Morning Activities: While my kids may not be the only ones awake at that hour, most attractions like stores, museums, or zoos don’t open until 10 or 11 a.m. If children ran these places, they would certainly operate at the break of dawn. In fact, my kids and I often find ourselves doing grocery shopping by 7 a.m., the only option available. It’s a chance to be productive while waiting for more engaging activities to commence. Plus, fewer shoppers means I can avoid the judgmental glances directed at my cart filled with high-fructose snacks.
- Boredom Before 8 A.M.: Our mornings tend to be packed; breakfast, playtime, reading sessions, and even a full Disney movie can all occur before 8 a.m. I often envy Sleeping Beauty, as we’re unable to venture outside for play due to the darkness. Don’t even get me started on the chaos of Daylight Savings Time.
- Nap Time Discrepancies: With a 6 a.m. wake-up, my baby is ready for her first nap while most other children are just starting their day. I find myself playing a delicate balancing act, trying to keep her awake until 8:30 a.m. You know it’s an exceptionally early day when she has already had her nap and is awake before the morning talk shows begin. This misalignment makes scheduling playdates a logistical nightmare.
- Early Meal Times: When breakfast is at 6:30 a.m., lunch inevitably shifts to 10 a.m., and dinner can be as early as 4 p.m. As the day progresses, I often find myself prepping dinner by 3:30 p.m., and by 5:30 p.m., we’ve usually concluded our meal. Why so early? Because…
- Bedtime Before Dusk: While neighborhood kids enjoy evening play, my children are beginning their bedtime routines by 7 p.m. due to sheer exhaustion. Consequently, we frequently miss out on evening gatherings. I’ve often been advised to push their bedtime later, with the hope that they might sleep in. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way for early risers; they are hardwired to wake at the same early hour regardless of when they sleep.
- Amusement at Others’ Complaints: Listening to friends lament about their kids waking up at 8 a.m. elicits a chuckle from me—if I didn’t laugh, I might be tempted to roll my eyes. I can’t remember the last time I experienced a “sleep-in” past 7 a.m. The irony is that on those rare mornings when my children do sleep in, I find myself wide awake and unable to return to sleep, simply from the shock of it.
So how can one navigate the challenges posed by early-rising children? It helps to remember that many teenagers need to be coaxed out of bed. The good news is that this exhausting routine is only temporary—there are about 10 years of this ahead. Until then, make sure to stock up on caffeine the next time you find yourself at the grocery store in the early hours.
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Summary
Parenting early risers presents unique challenges, from limited morning activities to early meal times and bedtime routines. While the journey can be exhausting, it’s a phase that many parents navigate, and there are resources available for those exploring various paths to parenthood.
Keyphrase: Early-Rising Kids
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