When did kids' bedtime become the late show?

DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR A FIRST TIME DAD OF TWINS

- RICHARD IRVINE

It's 9.30 on a Tuesday night and I'm lying in bed after a tumultuous day of hard labour.

Back in my wilder days, I wouldn't even think about brushing my teeth until at least 10pm, sometimes 10.15pm, but those reckless nights of abandon are behind me.

What's different about my bedtime now is the children can be heard playing in the house, while I'm trying to get to sleep.

As I contemplate where we've gone wrong, It goes quiet outside, and I hope they've called it quits and decided on sleep.

Suddenly, Emma bursts in the room, very much awake, and far more energetic than I am after a full night's rest.

She sits on the bed, starts to make small talk about the next day, jumps up, pulls a few dance moves and leaves the room, while I'm left with a few questions flying through my head.