The summer holidays have come to a close and children across Merseyside are heading back to school.
Like most parents you may have been frantically preparing new school uniforms and getting lunch boxes ready to help make the mornings a little easier.
But what about bedtime? When should your little one be getting to sleep in order for them to wake up fresh and ready to take on the day?
A easy to use chart has been shared on Facebook and by popular parenting website Netmums to help people find the best time for children to get their pajamas on.
Posted on the Facebook page for Wilson Elementary School in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the chart has risen to parents' attention again - and divided them.
While many mums and dads were despondent and disbelieving, there were plenty who agreed with what the guidelines were trying to achieve, and argued that routine was crucial for kids.
Katie Phillips praised it saying, "This is a pretty good chart," but did agree things got trickier during the summer months.
Kirsten Scherer did not agree, however, adding, "I'm sorry, but this chart is absurd. Who puts their kid to bed at 6:45?"
Others argued that it was too rigid, or that it shouldn't apply if a child still naps during the day, or that it simply wasn't possible with work and / or domestic commitments.
As a further guide to help parents, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children have guidelines for the amount of sleep children need.
They said: "Children of different ages require different amounts of sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) produced a ’Consensus Statement‘ in 2016 regarding recommended amount of sleep for paediatric populations.
"The figures below gives an indication of the amount of sleep your child requires on a regular basis to promote optimal health."
- Infants 4 to 12 months - 12-16 hours of sleep, including naps
- Children 1 to 2 years - 11-14 hours of sleep, including naps
- Children 3 to 5 years - 10-13 hours of sleep, including naps
- Children 6 to 12 years - 9-12 hours of sleep
- Teenagers 13 to 18 years - 8-10 hours of sleep
They also advise that drinks with caffeine in should be limited after lunchtime, making sure there is significant time between a large meal and bedtime (it can prevent sleep), and making sure they have had plenty of activities during the day to "burn off energy".
It is also recommended a glass of warm milk can aid sleep in children, especially as part of a good bedtime routine, preferably with electronic devices switched off at least an hour before bed.
