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Should young children stay up for the New Year's countdown?
Results so far:
| Yes | 73% | 248 votes | Total: 340 votes | |
| No | 27% | 92 votes |
Yes
by Anita Carter
Created on: December 28, 2009 Last Updated: December 30, 2009
New Year's Eve Countdown and Young Children
"New Year's Eve", the night that for centuries has been the new beginning or the new hope for so many people. It is full of excitement, laughter, crowded streets, parties, and surprises. But for many people, this night is old and out dated with no life to it. As the year ends and begins with the countdown of a silvery ball in Time Square. Even for young children, this celebration can be one of great memories for years to come and to take that away is a crime.
Looking back, I can remember having to take a nap in the afternoon for a party, thrown by my parents that night, that would usually begin around seven o'clock. My mother would make a feast that would be fit for a king and queen to eat of every food imaginable including desserts. My parents loved how people felt that they could relax and enjoyed themselves while being there. While we, the children, went into the basement to talk, or played games, or picked on each other. Then before we knew it, the time came for the countdown. Everyone would have a glass in their hands while counting along with the announcer (usually it was Dick Clark). And when the ball hit, screams, laughter, hugs, and well wishes were all around and in the air. It was a time, when nothing of the past seemed to matter. Then we would get out our sleeping bags and fall asleep, though the majority of the people left who didn't have children there. But the memories, the stories, and the pictures of those nights will live forever inside of me.
Now, parents don't want to keep their children up because of activities, time schedules, their jobs, their child's mood, whatever the reason may be. And unlike today, we made our own fun. We didn't have the hand held computers, the internet, cell phones, or some of the toys that a child feels they need in order to be happy or to live. We didn't stay up playing, or talking, or getting into all kinds of trouble like some of these kids do. We knew how to have fun without luxuries like these.
So, should a parent keep their child up for New Year's Eve? It depends on the parent's decision whether it would be right or wrong. But in the end, look at the joy that child may be missing that is if they are still awake.
Happy New Year's!
Learn more about this author, Anita Carter.
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No
by Joanne Smith
Created on: December 30, 2009
Having your children staying up for the New Year’s Eve count down depends more on your child than it does on the evening at hand.
New Year’s Eve is a night to reflect on the past years memories and engage in celebrations of what will be to come. It is a night of the midnight count down, one which millions of people will celebrate and millions more will sleep through. The celebration of bringing in the New Year is a personal tradition, one which families form through out the years.
Based on the needs of your own family you will create celebrations that will work towards meeting the needs of your entire family. If you are allowing your children to remain awake to watch a count down celebration make sure it is in their best interest to do so.
Is your child a child who can go the next day on less sleep, and still remain happy and co-operative? Is your child someone who seems to show more behaviors when they are tired and ends up being disciplined because of it? If you know ahead of time that your child is going to be grumpy and argumentative, and this is something that causes the family stress if they stay up late, than consider not allowing your child to be up until midnight. If you consider fatigue to be a leading cause in lowered immune systems and your child is already fighting off a bug, it may not be in their best interest to be up late. However, if you know your child has nothing planned for the New Year’s Day and can sleep as long as they need to the following day, or you know staying up late is worth the behaviours you know your family will face the following day then staying up for the count down may not be as traumatic for your child.
One consideration for your child staying up must be why your child is staying up. If your child is staying up because there is going to be a party happening at your home, consider allowing your child to have a party of their own, earlier in the day. It is the New Year celebration that matters, not the time of night they are up until. If you child wants to stay up because of the company that will be at your home during the count down, invite the company earlier in the evening to allow your child to visit and intermingle with the company before bedtime.
Encourage your child to create New Year’s Eve Day plans. Explain the significance to them about what the year ending means. Ask them some of their plans for the New Year. Acknowledge the hype surrounding this holiday, most of which your child is too young to enjoy.
Your child is going to enjoy a celebration, regardless of what hour it occurs. Tailoring it to your child seems to make the most amount of sense. Setting them up for failure the follow day is unfair. Making sure they are able to tolerate a late night is essential to your child’s well being.
Make sure your child wanting to stay up is not based on unrealistic expectations. Remember this will be many hours past their bedtime which will make them tired and grumpier than normal. They will be inside around adults talking about things that do not concern them, or doing quiet activities that will tire them out. Be sure to explain EXACTLY what will be happening New Year’s Eve. Allow them to decide if it is something that they want to do. Give them an alternative, an early count down, a celebration on New Year’s Day. Depending on the motives of why your child wants to remain up with you New Year’s Eve can help you determine the best ways to help your child enjoy this holiday. Perhaps an afternoon nap or rest, a late dinner followed by bedtime routines can be completed so that right after the count down your child is prepared for bedtime. A sleepover might be helpful if your child will be up so that he or she can be occupied for the party if you have other guests over.
Whatever you decide, keep in mind your limitations. If you are drinking, remember your judgment and ability to manage your child will be impaired. Also consider how your child will feel when the next day if they have been up too late.
Good luck and Happy New Year, regardless on how you brought the New Year in!
Learn more about this author, Joanne Smith.
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