Blue Jays Fever Disrupts Bedtimes for Toronto Families

UPDATE: Families across Toronto are grappling with disrupted bedtimes as excitement for the Toronto Blue Jays’ playoff run surges. Many parents are making tough choices between cheering for the Jays and ensuring their children are well-rested for school.

Toronto resident Suzanne Jangda arrived late to school with her two children Thursday morning after staying up late to watch the Blue Jays dominate the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. “I am a big Blue Jays fan, and turning my kids into them, too, is my mission,” Jangda shared, anticipating another late night for Thursday’s Game 4, which starts at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Parents are increasingly weighing the excitement of the Jays playoff games against the potential exhaustion for their children. Jangda recounted how her kids were already “TIRED” by Thursday evening, prompting her to plan an earlier bedtime while she catches the game at a bar with friends. “Without me at home watching, they won’t be as sucked in,” she noted.

The phenomenon isn’t unique to Jangda. Lisa Fujimoto, a Toronto elementary school teacher and fellow Blue Jays fan, noted her own kids are also adjusting their schedules to catch the games. With her 12- and 9-year-old sons staying up late, she emphasized the importance of managing their routine. “We all have Jays fever big-time right now,” she said, explaining that the adrenaline from the games seems to help keep them alert at school.

For many, the thrill of the playoffs means new bedtime rules. Fujimoto has set guidelines for her children to complete homework and prepare for school before the games, ensuring they’re ready to hit the hay right after the final pitch. “It’s really motivating for them,” she explained, as they hustle through chores during game lulls.

While some parents are okay with the late nights, others are more stringent. Elisha Muskat described her nine-year-old son as “obsessed” with the series but enforced a firm bedtime of 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday due to a cross-country meet the next day. “He’ll reluctantly fall asleep, waiting for updates from the next room,” Muskat said with a laugh.

With Game 4 kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET, many parents face the same dilemma: Should they allow their children to stay up for the excitement? Muskat plans to let her son follow the game through MLB.com, ready to impose a bedtime if the score allows. “If it’s a close game, I think it’ll be a late night,” she said.

As the series continues, parents like Jangda are eager to create lasting memories for their children, reminiscent of their own childhood experiences watching the Jays clinch the World Series title in 1992. “To be able to see that is huge. It’s amazing,” she said. “I wouldn’t want him to miss that.”

As the Blue Jays strive for victory, parents are finding creative ways to balance fandom with family responsibilities. With the series heating up, the question remains: How will Toronto families manage their schedules as the excitement unfolds? Fans and families continue to share the passion, making the playoffs a thrilling yet challenging time for parents and children alike.

Stay tuned for updates as the Blue Jays face off against the Mariners in Game 4 tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET.