My kids are notorious early-risers and have been from the very beginning (must be genetic). After enduring far too many years (like 2) of dragging myself through the five and six o’clock hours, we found a solution.
Seriously one of my favorite things. Now I don’t have to wait until my kids can tell time or even recognize numbers on a digital clock — they just have to wait until “the light is green” and then they can get out of bed.
Not only does this allow me either sleep longer or have some quiet time in the morning, it helps my kids actually sleep longer. I’ve instructed them to close their eyes if it’s not time to get up which gives them the opportunity to get more sleep. It also helps with the mid-night Mama visits — if the light is red, they know it’s not time to come and get me. Obviously, if they are scared or throw up all over the place, they have permission to get me.
And please don’t hear this as “put this in your kids’ room and THE FIRST NIGHT they won’t get out of bed”. As with anything, it takes some adjustment and some (mostly) gentle reminders. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s far better than no system at all.
I’m serious, this thing could almost be considered a necessity for all sleep-deprived parents. It was such a game changer in our household. Expecting our little ones to be able to understand the concept of time is just a massive frustration waiting to happen for everyone.
You can also set nap timers! Use for nap or quiet time in the afternoon. Even more sanity coming your way!
OK to Wake! Children’s Alarm Clock & Nightlight
Not battling your little ones for sleep? Priceless.
There are lots of different options for kids’ wake up clocks on Amazon, the above clock is just the one we have experience with.
Looking for more ideas for kids?
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Great ideas people! We just stuck a basic Ikea clock in their room and said you can’t get out of bed until this hand is here and this hand is here…..but they have no idea. Your ideas are so much better!
We just got a cute, small lamp and put it on a timer and set it for 7am. “It’s not time to get up until your turtle light comes on.” Priceless!!!
Cool idea! We didn’t know things like this existed, so we took an old clock radio, put it in our 2-year-old’s room and had a little talk. Now we hear “Mama come, there’s a 7!” in the morning and “There’s a 3! There’s a 3!” after nap.
We have the OK to Wake clock and LOVE it! It even has a nap feature and I have it set to go off an hour and 20 minutes after I put my daughter down so if she doesn’t fall asleep, she just lays in bed quietly until it turns green!