Why you should (and shouldn't) let a child stay up late.

Tonight, that terrific new television show, Women’s Murder Club, airs for the first time – ABC, 9:00 Eastern. My sister and her writing partner happen to be Executive Producers.

The Big Man’s parents are coming over to our apartment to watch, and I’m irresponsibly allowing the Big Girl to stay up late to watch, too. It seems like one of those things she just shouldn’t miss, even if it makes her cranky the next day – like visiting a bookstore at midnight to pick up the last Harry Potter book. It’s an adventure.

When I think back on happy childhood memories, they often involve violations of some usual rule. My maternal grandparents bought us Pop-Tarts. My paternal grandmother let us stay up late watching TV. On Christmas and Easter, my parents let us eat candy before breakfast.

I must say, however, that after reading Po Bronson’s article in New York Magazine about the importance of sleep for children, Snooze or Lose, I’m not going to permit too many of these late nights.

Nevertheless my happiness-project resolutions include “Spread family cheer,” “Take time for fun,” and “Cultivate family rituals and traditions.” Breaking the parental rules once in a while, and building an event into a celebration, seem in this spirit.

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Comments

[Mrs. Micah]

Those were indeed good times. And because of the hedonic treadmill, it's best for the kid if staying up late only happens a few times each year. Otherwise it looses its specialness.

I remember being 6 or 7 and betting with my sister (2 years younger) that I could make it till midnight on New Year's Eve and she couldn't. I don't know if we made it, trying was the fun part. I bet Big Girl will really enjoy it. :-)

[ashpags]

Please tell your sis that WMC was awesome! I very much enjoyed it. =)

[Gretchen Rubin]

Great!!! I thought it was terrific, too.

Yes, good point, the hedonic treadmill (alas) applies practically all treats. Staying up late is only thrilling when it's rare. Plus, in the specific case of sleep, it's enormously important to keep children AND adults on a consistent schedule of ample sleep. Remember, in one study insuffiicient sleep was one of the TOP TWO reasons for people to be in a bad mood! Turn off the light.

[PNWGal]

I am sure you noticed this in the snooze/lose article; but I thought it was interesting in regards to your thoughts on remembering your positive/happy moments.

Perhaps most fascinating, the emotional context of a memory affects where it gets processed. Negative stimuli get processed by the amygdala; positive or neutral memories get processed by the hippocampus. Sleep deprivation hits the hippocampus harder than the amygdala. The result is that sleep-deprived people fail to recall pleasant memories yet recall gloomy memories just fine.