The solar eclipse is set to peak at around 7.10pm tonight, just as many young children would normally be settling down to sleep — but a certified sleep consultant has shared tips to avoid bedtime chaos
Tonight’s solar eclipse could spell bedtime pandemonium for families across the UK, as the rare celestial event is set to peak just as many tots and young children would typically be nodding off. According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the eclipse will kick off shortly after 6pm, reach its zenith at around 7.10pm and wrap up shortly after 8pm, with timings varying slightly across the UK.
However, one sleep expert warns that the biggest blunder parents could make is allowing the spectacle to consume the entire evening.
Ilona Andrews, a certified child sleep consultant and founder of baby and child sleepwear brand Sleeping Stars, said: “Tonight’s eclipse is happening at exactly the time many young children would usually be having dinner, getting ready for bed or beginning to wind down.
“Families will understandably want to drop everything and head outside to watch it. However, staying out for the entire two-hour event could mean baths, pyjamas and stories are all pushed back until after 8pm.
“By then, children could be overtired as well as excited by what they’ve just seen. This means their bodies can release cortisol and adrenaline to keep them going, triggering a ‘second wind’ that leaves them emotional, restless or suddenly bouncing off the walls.
“Add in the excitement of seeing the sky change and children could go from looking knackered to seemingly wide awake just as parents try to put them to bed.
“But families don’t have to miss the eclipse to protect their child’s sleep. A bit of planning can prevent it from taking over the entire evening and make the transition back to bedtime much smoother.”
To help parents savour the eclipse without bedtime descending into mayhem, Ilona has shared three handy tips for before, during and after the event.
Sort out bedtime before 7pm.
“It might seem like common sense, but try to get as much of the practical bedtime routine done as possible. Aim to have dinner finished and baths, teeth and pyjamas sorted before heading outside.
“This means children can enjoy the eclipse without parents having to start the entire evening routine from scratch once it’s already past their normal bedtime.
“They might still go to sleep a bit later than usual, but getting those tasks done early prevents the event from pushing bedtime back by several hours.”
Watch the peak, not the entire eclipse.
“Parents don’t need to keep children outside from the moment the eclipse starts until it completely ends. Choose a brief viewing window around the peak in your area and set an alarm for when it’s time to head back indoors.
“Explain the plan before you go outside, so children know they’ll watch the most dramatic part and then continue with bedtime when the alarm goes off.
“This allows them to enjoy the main event without the eclipse taking up the whole evening or bedtime turning into an endless celebration.”
Put the eclipse to bed first.
“Once you come back indoors, give the eclipse a clear ending. Encourage younger children to say goodnight to it, then pack away the viewing glasses, phones and cameras.
“Tell them that photographs, videos and questions about space can be saved for tomorrow. Otherwise, a few minutes of eclipse-watching could easily turn into another half-hour of looking through pictures and getting excited all over again.
“Then move straight into the calm final part of their normal routine. Physically putting everything away helps draw a line under the event and signals that the evening is winding down.”
Ilona believes that the eclipse should be a wonderful experience for children and an opportunity for families to create a special memory together, but parents don’t need to throw the entire bedtime routine out the window to enjoy it.
She concluded: “Tonight’s eclipse is an incredibly exciting event, and children should absolutely be able to enjoy it. But the key is not letting a few magical minutes turn into hours of bedtime chaos.
“If children suddenly seem wide awake afterwards, don’t assume they’re no longer tired and restart the evening with television or playtime. That burst of energy may actually be a sign that they’re overtired.
“Enjoy the moment, accept that bedtime may be slightly later than usual, then draw a line under the excitement and carry on with the familiar routine. You can make tonight memorable without letting it derail the whole night.”
Sleeping Stars is a family-run baby clothing brand based in the UK, specialising in sleepwear designed by certified sleep consultant and mother, Ilona Andrews. For more information, visit www.shopsleepingstars.com.