Bedtime Battles and Other Questions

[DisneyRockStarMommy]

I have a 13 dd. She is the sweetest thing. But like all other young teens/tweens she is very moody, and forgettful.

I have a few questions..

1. What is a good bedtime for a 13 year old-(they still need one)

2. What can you find an appropriate bathing suit?

Others can raise questions concerning their kids.
By the way I am not a strict babying parent at all..but kids do need rules.

Thanks

 

[Suzanna1973]

My DS is 12 and has to be in bed (teeth brushed, jammies on, hugs, kisses, etc ALL DONE) by 9pm. No exceptions, not even on non school nights. He's a growing boy and he needs a good night sleep to help with the moodiness of tween/teen years.

When my DD was becoming a teenager, I took her to Limited Too to buy a bathing suit. They had very adorable tankinis. Gives them the thrill of the two piece, but gives mom piece of mind

To help with that forgetfullness...try a dry erase board in the bedroom.

 

[Aliceacc]

My kids are younger, so I won't hazard an answer.

But what time does she get up in the morning for school??

And try Lands End for suits.

 

[DisneyRockStarMommy]

She gets up in the mornings at 6:30...she goes to bed at 10-10:30
I think 9:30 or 9:45 would be better

 

[CampbellScot]

I agree that Land's End is a good place to find modest suits that are very durable. Most of them are two piece tankinis that look like one pieces. I get one for my 8yr old step daughter every summer. You can get bikinis as well, but they still manage to be modest! They also have swim shorts and swim skirts with attached bottoms.

As for a bed time...If she is usually in bed by 10-10:30 and you would rather 9:45...I'd probably compromise and make it 10. Start getting ready for bed by 9:30 and lights out at 10. That way she has some time to fiddle around, brush teeth, check homework one last time etc.

If she is having trouble getting up in the mornings or being very grouchy or what have you, then you can revisit her bed time and making it earlier if she can't behave in a respectful manner in the mornings. Put the responsibility on her shoulders. She is old enough to understand that if she wants a later bed time she needs to be able to get up in the mornings without a fight.

It's really hard for kids this age to accept a parent suddenly saying "I know you've been getting into bed around x time, but now I want it an hour earlier..." It helps to approach in a spirit of compromise. Acknowledge that she's older and that you have faith that she can get herself into bed with lights out by 10. I think that minimizing power struggles at this age will make for a much more pleasant living environment!!

Moodiness is just a part of the age...

good luck!!!

 

[daisyduck123]

My DD13 is a freshman in high school.

She goes to bed at 10:30pm & has to be at the bus stop at 6:35am.

I know she does not get as much sleep as she should...but she makes up for it on the weekends. If her grades start to drop (has over a 4.0 right now), we'll make her go to bed earlier.

**She's on a year-round swim team, so she wears one-pieces that we order from www.thefinals.com .

 

[DisneyRockStarMommy]

I agree with all of you...she is in 7th grade (12 and 13 year olds) and she doesn't argue about going to bed its just she doesn't like me telling her a certian time. I think 9:30 getting ready 10:00 lights out is perfect

 

[PrincessKsMom]

My DD12 goes to bed around 10 p.m., sometimes later. She gets up at 7 a.m. and we have to be out by 7:45. As long as she gets ready in the morning without the nonsense, she can continue to go to bed at 10 p.m. or so. The first morning she gives me a hard time, she goes to bed 1/2 hour earlier that night. Usually doesn't take more than 1 night for her to realize I'm serious. My problem with my daughter is Sunday nights. Doesn't matter how early she gets up Sunday morning, she can't go to sleep on a Sunday night. We call it the "Sunday Night Blues". She loves school, but says she'll miss me during the week (because we're not together all day). It's almost like she gets those "first day of school" jitters. By Monday night she's fine though.

Bathing suits are a problem for me. I LOVE Ltd2, but she doesn't fit in them anymore. The bottoms of the 18s are a little too snug. I wish they'd make the next biggest size. I've looked at LandsEnd, but they just seem too "old" looking. I guess it's just going to take a trip to the mall until we find the right suits. Good luck and if you find anything, let me know!

 

[bethbuchall]

My dd(14) needs to be in bed by 9:00 pm, but she is allowed to read up until 10:00 pm. She doesn't need to be to the bus stop until 7:40 am. One night a week, swim practice runs late, so she doesn't get to bed until 10:00 pm, and I do give her some reading time to "wind down".

I'm not much help with the swim suits, I guess, because she is allowed to wear two piece suits for "fun" swimming.