EVERYONE knows that getting children to bed can be an uphill struggle.

They’ll find a million reasons not to go up and can test the patience of the most easygoing parent.

Unfortunately, some adults give in at this point and don’t force the issue.

Now, an expert on child development says that letting them stay up and not have a regular bedtime can actually damage their performance at school.

Dr Yvonne Kelly from University College London told the World Sleep Society that seven year-olds and three year-olds perform less well in tests if they don’t have regular bedtimes.

Three year-olds are also worse at regulating their emotions.

She says that children can suffer “jet lag” from going to bed at different times each night.

It’s common sense that growing bodies and minds need rest and a regular routine in most things. Bedtime can be a warzone that parents have to win.