Sometimes you have to stay up late to finish your homework, but other times you just want to do it for fun. Either way, this is something your parents probably won't approve of. To stay up late without anyone noticing, you'll need to stock up on food and be careful not to make any noise at night.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Planning and Gathering Provisions
Step 1. Draw a map of your home
If you are planning to leave your room, you need to keep track of where the creaking floorboards are (you can also think of ways to walk quietly). You can memorize these points or outline the perimeter of the stairs or corridor on a piece of paper. So mark the loudest spots on it when you find them during the day.
Step 2. Sneak snacks and drinks to your room
You'll likely get hungry or thirsty from staying up late, so sneak a few bottles of water and snacks into your room during the day. Hide them under the bed if there is a chance that your parents will open your closet before the end of the day.
- Choose energy or caffeinated drinks if you are worried about dozing off.
- Choose "silent" snacks such as bread or fresh fruit instead of crisps or breakfast cereals, which are contained in noisy bags.
Step 3. Gather books and electronic devices
If you stay up late to do your homework, collect all the books, notebooks, and pencils in your room so you don't have to search for them later. If, on the other hand, you stay awake for fun, hide something under your pillow that you can play with: a book, a phone, or a handheld game console.
Make sure all electronic devices are fully charged so that they last through the night
Step 4. Find light sources
You'll probably have to turn off your bedroom light at some point to pretend you've gone to sleep. If you are going to read a book, write or draw, get a reading lamp or flashlight and keep it by the bed so that you will be able to read under the covers.
Step 5. Take a late nap
If you have some time in the late afternoon, take a nap. An hour of sleep will help you get through the night.
Part 2 of 3: Pretend to sleep
Step 1. Go to bed at the usual time
Avoid going to bed early or insisting on going to sleep later than usual. both of these behaviors may make your parents suspicious. Instead, stick to your daily schedule to avoid eliciting unwanted attention.
Step 2. Turn off the light
If you leave the light on, your parents will see it through the crack under the door. Keep it off until they've gone to bed. Once everyone has fallen asleep, you can turn it back on. You just have to press a blanket on the bottom of the door to block out the light in case someone gets up to go to the bathroom.
Step 3. Listen for signs of activity around the house
Keep an eye out when everyone goes to bed. If you hear footsteps outside the door, put your things under the covers in case your parents come to check on you. If someone enters, immediately lie down and remain still, breathing steadily to appear asleep.
Step 4. Keep awake
If you're afraid of falling asleep, find things to do on your phone or tablet. Try texting a friend or playing a fun game. Sip some water and try to save the energy drink for later, as drinking it so early won't help you stay up all night.
If you share a room with a sibling, you will have to do all this under the covers or wait for him to fall asleep
Step 5. Eliminate the sounds of electronic devices
Make sure that each ringtone is completely off and don't forget to turn off the vibration, as it also makes noise. You could also use headphones, but you risk not hearing your parents' footsteps outside the door.
Also, lower the screen brightness as much as possible. If you have to quickly hide the device under the covers, it will be less noticeable. Even if you don't usually do this, keep the blanket under your legs; if the screen brightness is very low and the device is close to your legs, the light will be more difficult to see. Try this method if you don't have a hiding place to quickly store your electronic device
Step 6. Wait until everyone has fallen asleep
After your parents have gone to bed you may have to wait up to an hour to be completely sure they are asleep. If you share a room with a sibling or your parents, try to recognize the typical deep, even breathing of someone who is sleeping.
Part 3 of 3: Strolling Around the House
Step 1. Think of a good excuse to tell your parents if they catch you awake
If you get caught, say you're just going to the bathroom or getting a glass of water. Another plausible excuse is "I couldn't sleep".
- Say you had a bad dream and you need to get distracted for a few minutes.
- You could also say that you thought you heard a noise downstairs (or somewhere else in the house) and wanted to make sure everything was okay.
Step 2. Invite a friend or brother you trust
If you have a sibling or friend who spends the night with you, ask them to stay awake together to make the evening more fun. Just make sure your brother doesn't snitch the next day. Make it clear that if he keeps the secret, sooner or later you can do it again.
- Keep your voice low as you move around the house and try not to laugh.
- Let the dog or cat join you too, if you know he will shut up. If your dog barks, you may have to stay in your room all night.
Step 3. Move slowly
Take slow, soft footsteps on your toes if you have to leave your room. Avoid areas that you have discovered may have creaky floors. Turn the handles very slowly to avoid annoying “clicks”.
Step 4. Turn down the volume on your TV
If you want to watch TV while awake, turn it on and then immediately press and hold the volume down button (you can't know how loud it was when it was turned off). Keep it as low as possible so your parents may not hear it even if they get up to go to the bathroom.
If you have a TV in your room, be sure to place a blanket or towel at the base of the door. This will prevent the screen light from being visible from the hallway
Step 5. Limit your trips to the bathroom
Try to go to the bathroom as infrequently as possible to reduce the noise. Limiting the consumption of drinks will help you in this. You may also want to avoid flushing the toilet until the morning, just before going back to bed.
Step 6. Keep an eye on the clock
Once it's time to wake up, reset your room to normal mode. Hide the snacks in the closet and go to bed. Pretend to sleep when the alarm goes off or when your parents come to wake you up.
Advice
- If you have a little sister or brother with a baby monitor, stay as quiet as possible. It can pick up sounds and alert your parents.
- Try to catch up on some sleep the next day by taking a nap or going to bed early.
- Try getting some sleep before trying to spend a night awake - you'll be less likely to fall asleep.
- Try to be as quiet as possible.
- Don't vacuum at night if you plan on cleaning.
