Strict bedtime rules for the kids? We don’t do it’

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You can get stressed every day trying to get your offspring in line, or you can think: whatever. These parents choose the latter.

Miranda (42): “One sweet every day and only if you ask: I don’t really believe in that. So my daughters (6 and 8) each have their own candy jar. On their desks. It is generously filled once a month and they can decide for themselves how much they take.

Do they eat everything at once? Fine, but then there is nothing left for the rest of the month. And those who eat sweets sparingly will have a supply after a month. The eldest always runs out of her stock within five days, my youngest now has a second jar because she has so much left. Both are fine, that way they learn to deal with food – and save money – in their own way.”

Read also – No rules for a while: ‘Sometimes my sons can sit on Fortnite for five hours straight’ >

On time to bed

Mary (36): “Those strict rules about going to bed on time and tidying up in your own room; we don’t do it. With three kids – now 4, 3 and 2 – in close succession, it drove me crazy; there was always one that didn’t want to sleep, or in bed with us, or snuggle, or something else that prevented me from getting to my evening after a exhausting day.

“Our life – or at least the evening – has become a lot quieter”

When my husband and I let it go a year ago, something beautiful emerged. We still brought them upstairs at seven o’clock, but if we just let them mess around afterwards, they turned out to crawl into our bed themselves, or together in one of the children’s rooms. Our life – or at least the evening – has become a lot quieter. As long as they sleep.”

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