Various embodiments set forth a method comprising identifying, by a first node of a mesh network, a plurality of potential parent nodes; receiving, by the first node, reboot time metrics for respective access points associated with the plurality of potential parent nodes; selecting, by the first node, a first parent node from the plurality of potential parent nodes based on the reboot time metrics; and transmitting, by the first node, a message for a destination outside of the mesh network via the first parent node.