I moved Mila's bedtime back when school started. She has always and forever gone to bed at 9:00, and it's consistently been perfectly fine, but she was so excited about returning to an actual physical school that I thought I should take advantage of the situation. So, 8:30.
Mila was 1000000% down with the decision. Are you as confused about that fact as I am? Because I was very confused by it. While the kid has never put up too much of a fight over going to bed, I figured that would be the line where she would battle. She didn't.
But okay. We can not fight about an earlier bedtime. I'm cool with that.
Annnnd then I found the problem.
Alexis has dance class A LOT. She's all in on the whole thing, which is fine, but it turns into there being nights when she isn't done until 9:00 or 9:30. Mila has to go with me to pick Alexis up from dance. 8:30 + 9:30 - 9:00 and carry the 6 + 4 - 2.6923 = CRAP.
It's not possible for Mila to go to bed on time two nights per week. But, hey! I'm in charge! I can declare that it's fine! Mila can go to bed at 8:30 most days, but stay up a little later two days and it will all be fine ... it's not fine.
Mila is not fine with it.
I have officially found myself arguing with a 7-year old because she was in the car when it was past her bedtime BY THREE MINUTES and she was completely not happy with the situation. She was straight-up pissed and yelling, "IT'S PAST MY BEDTIME!" and WTH? What child yells at their mom because they're up late?
I gave her ice cream to get her to stop yelling about it.
So if you're wondering if I'm winning at this parenting thing after 18 months of trying to navigate a global pandemic, I think you have your answer. I am not, in fact, winning. At all. But at least I get ice cream while I'm losing?
