We stay up until midnight and sleep at 2 a.m.

Embracing the Night Owl Lifestyle with Young Children

A couple from the United States, Emily Boazman and her husband Jake, have chosen to raise their three children as night owls, allowing them to stay up late and follow a flexible schedule that suits their family’s needs. This approach includes no strict bedtimes, late-night routines, and meals that often occur after 9 p.m. For Emily, who has always felt most productive in the evenings, this lifestyle is not just about convenience—it's a way of life that aligns with how her family functions.

Emily, a 35-year-old mother of three, shares that she never had an early morning routine before having her children. However, after becoming a parent, she adjusted her habits to accommodate her family's unique needs. Her children—Crew, 9; Knox, 7; and Keen, 3—have grown up in an environment where bedtime is not dictated by a clock but by their natural rhythms. The family often stays up until around 2 a.m., which has led to mixed reactions from online users, many of whom criticize their approach as being overly indulgent or even abusive.

Despite the backlash, Emily remains steadfast in her belief that this lifestyle works for her family. She explains that while they don’t go to bed at a traditional hour, the children still get between 9 and 11 hours of sleep each night. “They get the rest they need, just at a later time than most,” she says. “We also emphasize discipline, and they understand when it’s time to go to bed.”

A Typical Evening for the Boazman Family

The Boazmans’ day typically starts with a relaxed morning, with the family waking up between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. This allows them to avoid the stress of early mornings, which Emily finds unnecessary. Their homeschooling schedule supports this flexibility, with the only early commitments being a weekly homeschool co-op group at 9 a.m. and church on Sundays at 10 a.m.

By 9 p.m., Jake begins cooking dinner, and the family usually sits down to eat by 9:30 p.m. Around 11 p.m., Emily can be found giving herself a pedicure while the children continue playing with toys. Most of her housework is done between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., making the late-night hours her most productive time of the day.

The youngest child, Keen, goes to sleep at 11:30 p.m., followed shortly after by Crew and Knox, who fall asleep around midnight. After the children are asleep, Emily and Jake spend some quality time together before finally going to bed at 2 a.m. The entire family often shares a bed, reinforcing their sense of closeness and connection.

Family Background and Shared Rhythms

Emily grew up in a family of night owls, and Jake has always been a night person as well. This shared trait has created a strong bond between them and their extended family, who also thrive during the late hours. “It’s all we know,” Emily says. “We have a little community of people who function best when the sun goes down.”

While the children are free to go to bed earlier if they choose, they generally stick to the family’s rhythm. Their son, Keen, often asks to go to bed earlier and takes afternoon naps, which helps him manage his energy levels throughout the day. Emily admits that Jake, who works as a district attorney and must be at work by 8 a.m., has always been able to manage his schedule despite the late nights. “I don’t know how he does it,” she says. “But he’s always been this way, surviving on little sleep.”

Public Reactions and Support

Despite the family’s contentment with their lifestyle, some social media users have expressed concern over the late hours. One person called it “chaotic” and questioned whether the timeline was accurate. Others warned that the children might struggle to adapt to the demands of the working world. Emily responded by sharing her own experience, noting that she and her family have always been night owls and have successfully navigated school, college, and full-time jobs without difficulty.

On the other hand, many people have praised the Boazmans for their approach. One parent said, “This makes me feel normal! We are the same exact way in our house with 4 kiddos!” Another commented, “All families operate differently—you guys look extremely happy and organized. I love it for you!”

For Emily and Jake, their night owl lifestyle is more than just a choice—it’s a reflection of who they are as a family. They believe that every household has its own rhythm, and what works for them is perfectly valid. “We don’t love mornings and never have,” Emily says. “But we adjust to our schedule and haven’t really struggled.”