Oh, we working parents are so mean and selfish. It turns out that many folks who get home from work late are pushing back their children's bedtimes so they can spend time with them. While this story is tied to New York, it's a phenomenon I've seen here on the other coast as well. There's mention of a couple parents who don't get home till 8 p.m. and keep the kids up till 9 or even 10. And of course, we've documented that lack of sleep in kids has been linked to behavioral problems, obesity, hyperactivity, cognitive issues, and we'll probably find out soon it's responsible for global warming and lead in toys as well. Sigh.
The advice from the expert is to keep an early bedtime for the kids, but to come home early from work a day or two, or make breakfast the family meal if necessary. Hmmm. Okay, could we working parents also start lobbying for more reasonable hours at jobs, and even a later school start time if necessary? Both those would benefit everybody, and I think it's time we looked at some of this crap as a social problem born out of a workaholic society rather than the issue of a few parents who are trying to balance career and family.
