Whose needs take precedence - dark or nightlight for sleeping?

[peg2001]

Another question that arose from our Girl Scout sleepover. About half the girls asked to have a light on while sleeping and the other half moaned that they needed to have it DARK to sleep. I finally solved it by putting half of them in a dark room and letting the other half sleep with a soft light.

Assuming we don't have the option to split them up on an overnight trip, whose needs have precedence? I will admit up front to my bias because both of my kids need a nightlight but:

1. Kids that want it dark are just annoyed by the light
2. Kids that need a light would be scared in the dark

To me, fear takes precedence over annoyance. What do you think?

Peggy

 

[crz4mm2]

I think fear would take precedence. When my kids were younger they both slept with night lights. WHen we traveled, we left the bathroom light on and closed the door almost all the way, so only a sliver of light escaped. This was enough for them.

I can relate. I was afraid of the dark when I was a kid too

Cathy

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Maybe the few that need the dark can buy/bring those "over the eye sleep things", if they can't stand the light.

Yes, fear takes precedence.

 

[Blondie]

I agree with fear takes precedence.

My youngest son used to be extremely afraid of sleeping in total darkness so we had a nightlight for him. We even brought the nightlight with us when we would travel.

He finally grew out of it, but I remember how scared he'd get if the bulb happened to burn out in the middle of the night and he woke up!

 

[Rajah]

I agree, those who are afraid of the dark should get precedence, and those who can't sleep except in total dark should bring in those eye-cover thingies.

 

[chager]

I think having a soft light is the best. Maybe you would be able to put the light at one end with the children who prefer it and put the others at the other end. My thoughts weren't of being afraid of the dark, but maybe being unsure of the surroundings on a sleepover. When we stay at hotels we always take a nightlight and put it near the bathroom in case anyone needs to get up in the middle of the night. I also prefer a light if sleeping in a large room with a bunch of kids/parents. I don't want to step on anyone (or be stepped on) if a bathroom trip is needed in the middle of the night. I also keep a nightlight in our bathroom at home for trips in the night. DS9 sleeps with 2 lights in his room, but that started after our home was burglarized in 2002. There are some new lights that give off such just enough to get around that may work for them. My friends have one in their hall that is a soft green and gives off just a little light.

 

[nativetxn]

Fear takes precedence because anyone who cannot sleep with light in the room can block the light by wearing a sleep mask. Someone who is afraid of the dark has no other option but to have a light.

I'm not afraid of the dark but I always have a dim light downstairs at night just in case I have to go down stairs. It's just safer, I hate when I'm half asleep and miss that last stair I also leave the bathroom light on and the door almost closed when I stay in hotels because I'm unfamiliar with my surroundings and I hate running into walls and furniture.

Lay in a supply of sleep masks for the next sleepover

 

[CajunDixie]

I take it Girl Scouts dont tent camp?

I'm one that needs total darkness......I told DH I never ever want an east facing bedroom. I wouldnt say I'm annoyed by the light.....I can not go to sleep when there's too much light in our bedroom.

At cub scout resident camp we solved the light thing by letting the boys bring glow necklaces and glow sticks from home. Then let them choose their tent partners after we split them into those that want light and those who don't want light.

Some kids are scared of the dentist.....does that mean they should never have to go there? Some kids are afraid of shots....does that mean they shouldnt get their immunizations?

 

[SugarBear]

Fear takes precedence, at least in my house... I'm afraid of the dark.

 

[Kimberle]

I think you should leave a nightlight on.

These children will all be sleeping in a strange place. What if one has to get up to use the bathroom or something? You don't want them walking into a wall.

Good time to teach/learn a small lesson abt "compassion" for others.

I'm sure the kiddo's will be so tired & excited , they'll fall asleep pretty quickly anyway....

 

[Serena]

Originally posted by Kimberle
Good time to teach/learn a small lesson about "compassion" for others.

I totally agree. Fear definitely takes precendence and we all could use a little more compassion for each other in our lives, especially for children.

 

[peg2001]

Thank you everyone. For some reason, I don't always think of the obvious. We'll definitely suggest sleep masks for any girls that want them.

Peggy

 

[clh2]

Peggy - what type of place are you & the girls going to be sleeping in? My troop will be doing an overnight at a troop house, which is very well lit with EXIT signs - you know the big ugle red/white ones, so it will be tough to do a "no light" rule.

I also agree that in a strange place, I need a sliver of light - since if I have to get up - I won't bump into things.

 

[Beauty]

LOL! When I read the title I thought you meant with adults. John and I have been married 13 years and before we were married I always slept with the TV on, he on the other hand had to have total darkness.....he won out on that one and now I can't sleep with a TV on either although our son does.

I definatly think that fear should take presidence.

 

[peg2001]

Originally posted by clh2
Peggy - what type of place are you & the girls going to be sleeping in? My troop will be doing an overnight at a troop house, which is very well lit with EXIT signs - you know the big ugle red/white ones, so it will be tough to do a "no light" rule.

Well, we have an overnight planned at the local girl scout camp in a few months. I have not been there but I understand that there are rustic wooden cabins/dorms for the girls. Fortunately, we are going to make a day trip before that to scope things out. We are new to all this!

Peggy

 

[peg2001]

Originally posted by Beauty
LOL! When I read the title I thought you meant with adults. John and I have been married 13 years and before we were married I always slept with the TV on, he on the other hand had to have total darkness.....he won out on that one and now I can't sleep with a TV on either although our son does.

We have a similar situation. DH wants it pitch black to sleep. He even covers up his digital clock display because the can't stand the "glow" at night. My vision is bad and of course, it is usually ME that gets up with the kids at night, if necessary. I much prefer a little light so I don't hurt myself.

Peggy

 

[honeywolf7]

Personally, I can sleep with my overhead light on at night, but I used to need music to fall asleep and now it keeps me awake because I lie there and listen to the lyrics instead of just letting it relax me.
As for your question, I say fear overrides annoyance.