Get child to sleep early

Thomas_Holding

Like millions of others I will be leaving London in my car and to avoid traffic I want to leave early.  I want to get my teenage son to go to bed early.
Any ideas on how to get them to go to sleep when they are the in the bed so we can get up early and avoid a lot of the traffic?

Bigphil1474

You could try alcohol (depending on their age), but I suspect they'll do whatever they want. Why not leave early and let them sleep in the car? 

AdrianC

Let him go to bed whenever he wants to, but be VERY clear to him that he WILL be leaving the house at crack of sparrow-fart.

Even if you have to empty cold water over him to get out of bed.

Even if you have to drag him to the car un-breakfasted and stark naked with whatever clothes can be quickly grabbed under his arm, for him to dress in the car.

If he then sleeps in the car... hey-ho. He's not driving.

Grumpy_chap

Teenage son will be grumpy whatever.
Let them do what they want.  Just they must be ready to leave at X o'clock.

BOWFER

What's happened in London that millions are leaving at the same time?

Thomas_Holding

Bigphil1474 said:

You could try alcohol (depending on their age), but I suspect they'll do whatever they want. Why not leave early and let them sleep in the car? 

Well I also need to go sleep early and I don't want them to keep me awake as driving and sleeping are not a good combination

Thomas_Holding

BOWFER said:

What's happened in London that millions are leaving at the same time?

Maybe not millions - although I worry it might seem like it but it is the school holidays.

NBLondon

BOWFER said:

What's happened in London that millions are leaving at the same time?

And why haven't I heard about it....

(I think it might be school holidays)

AdrianC

Thomas_Holding said:

Bigphil1474 said:

You could try alcohol (depending on their age), but I suspect they'll do whatever they want. Why not leave early and let them sleep in the car? 

Well I also need to go sleep early and I don't want them to keep me awake as driving and sleeping are not a good combination

Tell them to keep quiet, then.

This is heading rapidly out of our scope and into https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/marriage-relationships-families

BOWFER

Thomas_Holding said:

Bigphil1474 said:

You could try alcohol (depending on their age), but I suspect they'll do whatever they want. Why not leave early and let them sleep in the car? 

Well I also need to go sleep early and I don't want them to keep me awake as driving and sleeping are not a good combination

It's a rule I have in the car for long distances, family or friends.
Someone else has to stay awake.
Nothing more selfish than everyone else in the car sleeping as you drive.
They get where you're going all fresh and having experienced 'time travel'
Not on my watch.

warby68

You won't make teenagers sleep when they don't want to but you can tell them how to behave and the ground rules for the holiday getaway.

Surely this child hasn't just materialised in your home in teenage state.