237. End of School Year Sleep Regressions: Why Big Kids Fight Bedtime in the Spring

237. End of School Year Sleep Regressions: Why Big Kids Fight Bedtime in the Spring

From How Long 'Til Bedtime? | Sleep and Parenting Podcast by Allison Egidi | Pediatric Sleep Coach

April 28, 2026 · 15 min · Season 5 · Episode 237

About this episode

Allison Egidi discusses the common issue of sleep regression in elementary-age children at the end of the school year and offers practical strategies for parents to manage it.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Allison Egidi

Topics covered

  • sleep regression
  • bedtime routines
  • parenting strategies
  • spring sleep issues
  • children's sleep

Keywords

  • sleep regression
  • bedtime resistance
  • parenting tips
  • children's sleep
  • spring routines

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