Table of Contents
When Emily Boazman hit “record” on her phone one night, she didn’t expect to light up the internet. In a now-viral Instagram with 8.7 million views, viewers watch her youngest child melt down on the kitchen floor while the older two scramble eggs for dinner at 9:30 p.m. By 11 p.m., Emily is curling her daughters’ hair with heatless rollers. Finally, at midnight, all three kids pile into her bed to sleep.
The clip has been watched hundreds of thousands of times and has parents buzzing about one question: Is this “night owl” Routine harmless flexibility—or chaos in disguise?
View this post on Instagram
Why this routine shocked parents
Most of the families commenting on the video say their kids are in bed long before 9 p.m. Emily’s late-night schedule—complete with cooking, hair styling, and a shared midnight bedtime—looked unimaginable to them.
But Emily points out something key: her children are homeschooled. They sleep in later in the mornings, so they still get the recommended 9–12 hours of sleep each night.
Related: Eye-opening viral video shows difference between effective and ineffective ways to handle bedtime
What experts say about irregular sleep schedules
Pediatric sleep specialists agree that children need adequate, high-quality rest—but consistency matters too. Research in Infant Behavior and Development found that kids with inconsistent bedtimes showed more behavioral difficulties than those with regular schedules.
Timing plays a role as well. Children’s circadian rhythms naturally shift as they grow: melatonin onset typically happens around 7:30 p.m. in toddlers and closer to 8:40 p.m. by ages 9–10. Regular cues—dimmed lights, quiet activities, brushing teeth—help their bodies recognize it’s time for sleep.
A large study published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine found that homeschool students averaged about 49 minutes more sleep per night on school days than their public and private school peers—mainly because their day started later. The researchers concluded that later start times can help kids get more rest, but noted that children still benefit from a consistent bedtime routine to anchor their sleep, even when the clock runs later.
Related: I don’t have the ‘perfect’ bedtime for my kid
Instagram weighs in: Chaos or culture?
The comments on Emily’s video show just how divided parents are. Many expressed concern about the late-night routine:
- The.holistic.mumma: “You’re the night owl, not your kids.”
- Edona_roddy: “….this is YOUR schedule. Not your children’s. Children need appropriate feedings and bed times, to rest and develop. Let alone digest food at 9pm willingly and then go lay down.”
- _everlizaaa: “This is so chaotic. Immediately no.”
- _alyssa_nicole_w: “As a night owl myself I can’t imagine normalizing this for my children. I want them to have a normal sleep schedule and healthy circadian rhythm.”
But others applauded Emily’s flexibility and cultural perspective:
- Briannaleighrn: “I saw in the comments that you homeschool so they sleep in. Most of the commenters are thinking they wake up early like most kids do to get to school on time. Many cultures around the world stay up late. If your kids are healthy, happy, and growing and getting enough sleep at night, you’re good.”
- Thejennaricciardi: “Me ! Kids have been night owls since babies but I love it”
This mix of concern and empathy underscores a bigger truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all bedtime, but there are best practices every family can adapt.
Related: Mom checks on toddler at bedtime—and is stunned to see what’s snuggled up next to her
How to balance flexibility with consistency
Experts say you don’t have to be rigid to support healthy sleep. A few small tweaks can help any schedule work better for kids:
- Keep a predictable wind-down sequence. Whether it’s 8 p.m. or 11 p.m., a familiar pattern—brush teeth, read a story, dim lights—tells children’s brains it’s time to sleep.
- Watch total sleep hours, not just the clock. Homeschoolers or shift-working parents may naturally push bedtimes later. The priority is that kids still get enough rest.
- Model calm, not chaos. Late-night hair styling might be fun, but overstimulation can delay melatonin release and make it harder for kids to settle.
The takeaway: Tailor routines, protect rest
Emily’s video struck a chord because it made parents reflect on their own evenings. Some saw a relatable slice of life; others saw red flags. Both reactions reveal how much bedtime routines matter—not just as a logistical challenge, but as a daily ritual shaping kids’ health and family connection.
Flexibility can be healthy when it works for your family’s lifestyle. But whatever time you tuck your children in, consistency, calm, and adequate sleep are the anchors that help kids thrive.