It can be the bane of a parent's existence and getting your child or children into bed isn't always straightforward.
Even once they're in bed, getting them to stay tucked up asleep is just as much of a struggle.
So if we were to tell you that 8pm is the optimum time for your kids to go to bed, would you scoff and say "wishful thinking" - or are managing to do this (in which case, well done you)?
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Scientists have discovered that if you want your little one to wake up refreshed and reap long-term health benefits, parents should be aiming for this bedtime, the Mirror reports.
Sarah Anderson, an associate professor of epidemiology at Ohio State University, US, and author of the study, told TODAY:
"Preschool-age children whose bedtimes are at 8 or before were half as likely to be obese 10 years later."
977 children were analysed as part of the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, which examines child care and development.
Researchers looked at the time parents put children to bed at age four-and-a-half, and then compared it to their BMI at age 15.
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What soon emerged was a link between earlier bedtimes for children and a healthier weight for teens.
Only 10% of the children who went to bed at 8pm or earlier were obese. While 16% of those who went to bed between 8pm and 9pm were obese, and 23% of children who went to bed at 9pm and later were obese.
The results came up the same for both boys and girls.
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