I am 89 and still read or listen to GOOD PEACEFUL MUSIC AFTER I GO TO BED my mother read to my dad and we grew up on Zane Grey. Reading is a great relaxer as long as it is DECENT not violent
It’s a wonderful thing to encourage. My almost 7 year old daughter reads or doodles on one of those magnetic drawing tablet things at bedtime. She struggles to settle and I can’t imagine anything worse than just lying there waiting for sleep to come.
That’s a great idea!
As long as they are getting the right amount of sleep they need.
I love when it’s their choice and they choose what I would for them!
My 2yo choose to go to bed last night instead of throwing a fit because she understood she was tired 
You’re doing an awesome job!!
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Whoop Dee fuckin do . at least they are in bed being quiet. Husband is controlling down to the very things they do while being quiet laying in bed
My kiddos are in bed at 7 (we are early risers) and they are allowed to pick something to watch until 745ish. Then they are allowed to read however long they want. I remember reading under the covers with a flashlight and being so terrified I’d get caught. If reading is the worst thing my kids are doing at 10 o’clock then so be it. Lol It helps stimulate their mind and I believe it helps them sleep better. I’ll probably set a midnight cap once they are older but right now they don’t make it past 9 lol
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My daughter is 6 and takes a flashlight and books with her to bed, she always turns the flashlight off on her own and quietly goes to sleep. as long as they’re not grumpy in the morning i dont see an issue
I think its a wonderful idea. It helps them calm down and destress and that will help them sleep better. If he has a big problem with it maybe send them to bed earlier so they have time for both reading and writing and for getting enough sleep every night. Personally as long as the kids arent up too late that they arent sleeping enough at night then I don’t see a problem with it.
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I have 3 kids and they all have different bedtimes and routines for just them. My son is allowed to read and play (with 1-2 toys) in bed quietly. But he also goes to bed an hour earlier than his sisters did.
I wish my kids would want to read and write at any time of the day tbh. I think its fine
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Do they actually have sleeping issues or are you assuming they do just because you did? Not trying to be mean. But you only said you had issues sleeping, not that they have problems. Reading/writing can go either way. Sometimes it can help calm a person for sleep and other times it can keep them up because they don’t want to stop. If they don’t have issues with going to sleep, maybe having reading/writing time BEFORE going to bed.
I’ve always read or written at night, reading helps me relax and writing allows me to get anything off my mind from that day. I’d say if you’re kids want to do it before bed then totally let them !!
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Do what works best for the kids!!
Much better then tv or computers .
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What does it hurt to allow them to wind down and relax at bedtime? Maybe your husband should try it.
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No that’s good if anything just set a time limit if they r staying up too late but it’s good to do both
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As long as they are in bed and quiet… I see no issues! Better than tv!
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My oldest is 9 and she reads for 30 minutes before bed. She loves it! Even if I don’t tell her to she does it. Once my 6 year old gets to the point where she’s reading on her own she’ll do the same. I think it’s a great habit to get into.
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At that age my dad was still reading to me almost every night. I was reading above my grade level so it was a great time to work on that.
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Reading and writing at bedtime is wonderful! It’s an excellent way for them to wind down. So much better than tv and video games. Great job mama!
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I read to my 6 and 10yrs. They really enjoy it and look forward to bedtime. My 6y literally nods off after 10 mins.
The only thing I guess you could do is ask what time he want them asleep , if he say 830 the. Maybe get the kids ready in bed by 730 that gives them a hour to write and read and unwind 
everyone wins
What’s your hubby’s objection to it. If it’s working then I see no issue
My older 2 read for an hour before bed I do to , we all have to let out brain and body relax before we can sleep
Not lenient. Reading is so good for their brains.
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I would let my kids. It’s not hurting anyone. And reading/ writing is better than the tv.
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I still read to my 9 year old in the evenings
he settles down then xx
Reading books and writing in a journal is fabulous! Skip the screens though. Might want to make sure the reading material is lighter and not scary though. My problem is I have to know what happens next and I stay up all night reading which isn’t good! But as long as they fall asleep within the hour, it’s a great habit for everyone.
SMH! Wow, what kind of husband doyou have to think like this! Reading & writting is important, kids now a days don’t do much of it! Let the kids read & write they’re not doing anything wrong!
I was bought up the exact same and hated it… when my son goes to bed I let him watch tele either in bed or on a chair he has until a certain time… after that he gets in bed lamp on light off if he wants to fiddle with toys and burn his imagination I let him and he chooses when to fall to sleep… usually at a good time… let them be kids xx
I let my oldest do the same (8 years old). The only thing you can possibly do to compromise with your husband is send the kids to bed a few minutes earlier so that they have more time for their night routine without affecting the set bedtime. I personally always had trouble sleeping as a kid and was forced to lay in bed with my eyes closed. Sometimes I would be there for hours. I chose to be more lenient with bedtime when it comes to my kids. As long as they are getting a decent amount of sleep, I don’t see why they can’t go to sleep a little later than what’s expected. It’s whatever works for you and your kids. I don’t see the problem with those activities before bed.
Keep letting them. You’re doing great!
Writing is a great way to get out the days good and bad feelings, get them journal’s and reading always makes my eyes sleepy when I’m having trouble sleeping besides a little extra reading never hurt anyone.
My 8 year old has anxiety. I will read to her at bedtime as usual, and if she’s not settled, I let her read on her own. I usually give her a limitation of how many pages depending on what time it is (if it’s 8:30 or later, she usually gets 3-4 pages, otherwise it’s until her eyes are tired). Gives her time to calm down her little mind and teaches self-regulation. As long as your kids aren’t exhausted in the morning I don’t see the big deal.
I think that’s great! Kids staying up to work on their writing skills is great!!
It’s wonderful. However, I would stay up waaayyyy too late reading. Like elementary age staying up till 2 reading.
So if have a book closed time too.
THAT’S TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE. My parents would have us IN BED by 8, watch some TV, and be asleep BY 9. So the fact that they’re reading or writing, is even better.
Bed time is bed time there’s no play no nothing. It good that your doing it but me personally I won’t allow it at bed time.
I let mine read or watch a movie.
Your kid your choice
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I always let my kids stay up for about an hour or so at bed time just to settle down and relax before sleep
My son falls asleep as soon as his head hits his pillow. But my daughter on the other hand has trouble falling asleep. I have always let her read while in bed. I have also taught her a few calming yoga poses that she can do right in bed. Honestly she’s 9 now and both options have made bedtime so much more pleasant for her.
I dont see a problem helps their minds and relieves stress.
Not at all mama. I have the same sleep anxiety and had to stare at walls too… If it helps them and it’s not causing any issues, let them keep doing it.
Great idea!!! 30 min before bed and then lights out!
Absolutely support the reading and journaling at bedtime. As long as you also teach them limits and to not get too caught up as they will lose valuable sleep. Balance is very important and they will sleep better for it.
If your kids aren’t staying up too late and wake rested, keep it up. If not, set clearer boundaries: 1 hour reading/writing Max then lights out!
I agree with most of these comments, just set a limit. Even if they wake up scared and want to do it to take their minds off of things, teach them to set a timer and limit themselves. It’s a good habit for later in life. I have horrible anxiety and nightmares and I had to teach myself to limit nighttime distractions because I’d get up and start cleaning or something and next thing you know I hadn’t slept more that 3 hours in a week so I had to teach myself to read for 20 minutes and then close the book and go back to sleep. Also if they leave their lights on, consider getting softer lights that don’t keep them awake so they can fade to sleep easier even when reading or writing.
Are you kidding??? I read to all four of my kids EVERY bedtime until they fell asleep from the age of 1 until they could read themselves to sleep around age 8 or 9!!! ALL four of them are well- adjusted, successful adults now, who have carried on the tradition with their kids!!! Why should bedtime ( or mealtime) ever be a power struggle!!! Everyone needs to sleep and eat and so they should be PLEASANT childhood experiences, to avoid problems later in life!!!
You’re doing the right thing. I use to make up fairy tales and would get them involved in the story and eventually they were telling the story! Keep up the good work. Be blessed!
My kids are 12 and 13 I have them read before bed bc it tires them out and does help them fall asleep and stay asleep. My youngest has ADHD so him reading at night really really helps him calm down and fall asleep by 9pm.
I don’t see how this is a bad idea in anyway. Great idea.
They are reading and writing sounds like a win to me as long as they sleep enough
I let mine do the same.
I would let them read and write but give them a time limit
When I was younger, I would read or wite before I went to bed. It helped me relax and digest the day. Even little people need help unwinding sometimes. It relieved a lot of stress for me, personally. I was more creative and ended up reeeeally loving to read and write as an adult. If your husband is worried they are up too late, put them to bed a half hour earlier and let them read, write, draw etc for that half hour and then lights out. Find a good compromise with him. #PickYourBattles
I think youre doing a grat job and what a great alternative. Stand your ground. I too, grew up with tons of anxiety.
Julie Braga Varley see what I mean 