Is your elementary-age child suddenly resisting bedtime, taking longer to fall asleep, waking at night, or starting the day too early? You may be dealing with a very real and very common pattern: the end of school year sleep regression.

In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime?, Allison explains why sleep often starts to unravel in the final stretch of the school year. While longer daylight hours can play a role, the bigger driver is often simple exhaustion. Kids are tired of routines. Parents are tired of enforcing them. Bedtime drifts later, structure loosens, and sleep quality begins to slip.

The good news is that a few small adjustments can help get sleep back on track and make the final weeks of the school year smoother for everyone.

Allison shares practical strategies parents can use right away, including how to reset bedtime routines, protect the hour before bed, handle the "but it's still light outside" argument, and stay consistent even during busy spring schedules.

If your household feels a little more tired, cranky, or chaotic than usual right now, you are not alone. This episode will help you understand what is happening and how to finish the school year strong.

Listen in to learn:

• Why sleep problems often show up at the end of the school year

• How longer days and routine fatigue affect bedtime and sleep quality

• What to do when a child suddenly starts resisting bedtime

• How to reset routines after bedtime has drifted later

• Why protecting the hour before bed is especially important in the spring

• How to handle late activities without derailing the whole schedule

• Why consistency on weekends matters more than parents think

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 235. What Time Should My Child Go to Bed? How to Find Their Ideal Bedtime

Allison's favorite black out shades

Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube

Give your child the gift of better sleep. Allison's free, age-specific guides show you exactly how many hours of rest kids need to grow, learn, and thrive—no matter their age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics.

Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime?

Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents.

• On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review."

• On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review.

Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date!

Connect with Allison:
Instagram | Facebook | Website | YouTube

Missed a nap? Short nap day? Bedtime suddenly a struggle? Your child may need what Allison calls a rescue bedtime.

In this episode, Allison breaks down one of the most powerful and most underused tools in a parent's sleep toolkit: moving bedtime earlier after a rough nap day. This simple shift can prevent overtiredness, protect nighttime sleep, and keep a child's schedule on track.

Many parents worry that an earlier bedtime will cause an earlier wake-up. In reality, the opposite is often true. A well-timed rescue bedtime helps children catch up on missed sleep, fall asleep more easily, and wake up better rested.

Parents who understand how to use a rescue bedtime feel more confident handling off days and stop worrying that one bad nap will ruin the next few nights.

• What a rescue bedtime is and how much earlier bedtime should be

• Why overtired babies and toddlers often sleep worse, not better

• How to prevent night wakings and early morning wakeups after a rough nap day

• When to use an earlier bedtime and when it is not necessary

• Why an early bedtime usually leads to better sleep, not earlier mornings

• How a rescue bedtime protects a child's circadian rhythm and next day schedule

Allison mentions Episode 235: What Time Should My Child Go to Bed? How to Find Their Ideal Bedtime

Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube

Give your child the gift of better sleep. Allison's free, age-specific guides show you exactly how many hours of rest kids need to grow, learn, and thrive—no matter their age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics.

Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime?

Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents.

• On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review."

• On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review.

Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date!

Connect with Allison:
Instagram | Facebook | Website | YouTube