I grew up in a small suburban town in Ohio during the late 90s & for us, bedtime wasn’t just another part of the day; it was like a sacred ritual for my mom & dad. When I was a child, I hated it. There were many nights when I’d just love to stay up all night watching TV or playing games but nope, there was no getting around those rules.
But looking back, I can see how those routines became the way I think about rest and self-care today. In this list, I will share with you 12 bedtime rules that you probably learned as a kid (so did I) and how they could have influenced your sleeping style.
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No Screens an Hour Before Bed
All screens: television, computer games, gameboys, needed to be switched off an hour before bed. It annoyed me then, but I now realize that it put my brain into autopilot mode for sleep.
The Pre-Bedtime Reading Ritual
We had to read 20 minutes a night before bed. It was supposed to “sooth our minds.” It also inspired me to develop a passion for reading and a time-out for winding down.
No Drinks Before Bed
Pre-bed drinking anything was a no-go in our home. It was supposed to save you from getting up during the night to go to the bathroom, ensuring good sleep.
Early Bedtimes, Even on Weekends
Weekends didn’t involve staying up late at our home. Each night had the same bedtime; this gave us a sense of regimen & prevented us from feeling numb on Monday mornings.
Strict Pajama Rules
We didn’t wear anything else to bed; we had to wear pajamas. Pajamas, according to my mother, cut the day & night apart, telling our brains that it was time to fall asleep.
The Bedroom Had to Stay Dark
They didn’t permit nightlights or glowing alarms. The room had to be absolutely dark, so we could get a good sleep. And I cannot sleep now unless the room is dark.
No Midnight Snacks
We couldn’t eat after dinner. My parents insisted it interfered with sleep, advising us not to snack too late into the night, which I still do as an adult.
The “Stay in Bed” Rule
After getting into bed, there was no hopping out unless it was an emergency. This norm made me learn to soothe myself & remain silent, even when I could not sleep.
The “No Talking” Policy
Talking was prohibited after light-out. It was important to my parents that we shut our brains down but my sisters & I would occasionally yelp at each other.
Bedtime Gratitude Journaling
As we got older, every night before going to bed, we were asked to write three things for which we were grateful. Back then I rolled my eyes, but it taught me to see the good in everything & sleep peacefully at night.
No Pet Rule in Bed
We couldn’t keep pets in our beds, no matter how much we pleaded. My parents believed that sharing a bed with animals disrupted sleep & hygiene. Although I was heartbroken at the time, it taught me the importance of having a clean & comfortable bed for a good night’s rest.
No Sleeping In
Even on weekends or summer vacations, we had to get up at the same time every morning. That habit remained steady & improved our night-time cycles.
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