Better Days Equal Early Nights!

Better days equal early nights!

That has always been one of my personal rules. In our house, I tried to make Sunday, Monday, and Thursday nights early-bedtime nights.

Life with children is busy. There are sports practices, dance lessons, school activities, homework, and a hundred other things competing for every evening. You may not be able to make every night an early night—but if you plan around the schedule, you can protect a few nights each week.

Plan Supper Around Bedtime

On our early nights, I tried to have supper ready as soon as possible—even right after school and snack time. It may feel unusually early, but an early supper gives everyone time to eat, settle down, take baths, finish what needs to be done, and get into bed without the whole evening becoming a rush.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is to create a rhythm your family can count on.

And Yes—7:30 Is Not Too Early!

Even 7:30 is not too early. Children need rest, and sometimes grown-ups do too! A good early night can make the next morning calmer, the school day easier, and everyone a little more patient.

Sunday night helps the family begin the week rested. Monday night gives everyone a chance to recover from that first busy day. Thursday night puts a little energy back in the tank before Friday and the weekend arrive.

Michele’s Early-Night Plan

• Choose three protected nights: Sunday, Monday, and Thursday.
• Look ahead at sports, dance, and school schedules.
• Prepare supper early—right after school if necessary.
• Move baths, pajamas, and bedtime routines forward.
• Do not feel guilty about a 7:30 bedtime.

Sometimes the kindest thing you can give your family is not one more activity. It is a quiet evening, an early bedtime, and the rest everyone needs for a better tomorrow.

Better days really do begin with early nights.