The Sleepier They Get… the MORE Energy They Seem to Have!

If you’re a parent, you’ve seen it. The bedtime battle. The sleepy-eyed, yawning, pajama-wearing child who suddenly turns into a caffeinated squirrel the moment you whisper, “Time for bed.”

They could barely keep their eyes open five minutes ago, but now? Now they’re doing parkour off the couch, asking life’s deepest questions (“Where do stars go in the day?”), or performing interpretive dance routines that would make Broadway jealous.

Welcome to the mysterious paradox of parenthood: the sleepier they get, the more energy they seem to have. Let’s unpack this bedtime enigma with a little humor, some science, and a whole lot of real talk.

1. The Classic Scene (AKA: The Bedtime Olympics)

Picture this:
It’s 8:30 p.m. The lights are dim. The soft lullaby playlist is on. You’ve already read Goodnight Moon twice and done your best “calming parent” voice. You think you’re finally winning the bedtime war…

And then—BOOM.

Your child springs up like a wind-up toy that just got a fresh set of batteries. They’re suddenly:

• Practicing gymnastics on the bed.
  
  

• Negotiating like a lawyer (“Just ONE more story, pleeeease!”).
  
  

• Thirstier than they’ve ever been in their life (“I need water. No, different water.”).
  
  

At this point, you’re silently questioning your life choices while wondering if you’re the one who needs the bedtime routine.

You’re not alone. Every parent has faced this exact twilight showdown—and somehow survived to tell the tale.

2. What’s Really Happening (Hint: It’s Not Witchcraft)

So, why do kids go turbo mode right when it’s time to sleep? Turns out, there’s actual science behind this madness.

When children start getting tired, their bodies release cortisol (the stress hormone) and adrenaline (the “let’s go wild” hormone) to keep them going. It’s basically their system saying, “Nope! Not shutting down yet!”

In other words:
Their bodies are overtired, but their brains are hitting the gas.

💡 Fun (and slightly tragic) fact:
When you miss that “sleep window” — the moment they’re calm but drowsy — the body shifts gears into overdrive. That’s when you get the giggles, the tantrums, and the wild energy that defies all logic.

It’s like watching a phone at 1% battery suddenly decide to open 10 apps, start streaming videos, and call grandma—all at once.

3. What You Can Do (Besides Cry into Your Coffee)

The good news: you can outsmart this bedtime burst. The bad news: it requires timing, patience, and maybe a sense of humor.

Here’s how to keep bedtime from becoming a full-contact sport:

A. Catch the Sleep Window

Pay attention to early cues: rubbing eyes, yawning, zoning out, or becoming unusually quiet (yes, that last one is rare, but it happens). That’s your golden moment.

Wait too long, and the Overtired Monster awakens.

B. Create a Calm Routine (and Stick to It)

Consistency is your secret weapon. A predictable routine signals to their brains: “It’s time to chill.”
Try something like this:

• Bath (bonus points for lavender bubbles)
  
  

• Pajamas
  
  

• Storytime
  
  

• Lights dimmed
  
  

• Hugs and goodnight phrases (keep them short—no TED Talks tonight)
  
  

Even 20 minutes of winding down can prevent the hyperdrive chaos.

C. Ditch the Screens (Sorry, Tablets)

Screens mess with melatonin (the sleep hormone). If your little one is watching Bluey right before bed, don’t be surprised if they’re still reenacting episodes at 9:30 p.m.

D. Meet the Resistance with Calm (Fake It if You Must)

When your child starts doing cartwheels at bedtime, it’s tempting to lose your cool. But matching their chaos usually backfires. Try whispering instead of yelling—it often piques curiosity and slows them down.

And if all else fails? Pretend to fall asleep yourself. Half the time, they’ll quiet down to check if you’re really asleep… and next thing you know, you both are.

4. The Real Talk (Because Parenting Isn’t a Perfect Science)

Here’s the truth: Some nights, even the best routines will crash and burn.
Your child might insist on wearing superhero costumes to bed, demand a snack at 10 p.m., or decide tonight’s the night to discuss quantum physics.

That’s okay. Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about survival with a smile.

Because here’s the thing: those bedtime shenanigans that drive you up the wall? They’re also a weird kind of magic. They remind us that kids live fully in the moment. That even when they’re tired, they’re bursting with curiosity, joy, and (sometimes too much) energy.

One day, they’ll be teens who sleep till noon and you’ll find yourself missing those 8 p.m. wrestling matches in pajamas.

So tonight, when your child bounces off the bed and yells, “I’m not tired!”, take a deep breath.
Smile.
Maybe even laugh a little.
Because the sleepier they get, the wilder the memories become—and that’s the good stuff.

Final Thoughts: From Chaos to Cozy

Parenting through bedtime meltdowns isn’t easy. It’s a rollercoaster of yawns, giggles, negotiations, and one more story pleases. But if you can find the humor in it—and maybe learn to laugh at the chaos—you’ll realize you’re not alone.

Every parent has watched their child transform into a mini marathon runner at 9 p.m. It’s practically a universal experience, like stepping on Legos or discovering mystery slime in the living room.

So tonight, take a deep breath. Remember: they’ll sleep eventually. (Promise.)