Babysitter - New Bedtime Routine Help

ArtTeacher23

Hi there! I'm just visiting from the Knot (getting married in 2014!) as I don't have kids yet, but thought this would be a great place to get some advice/ideas....

I'm a sitter for twin 8 year old girls.  I've been with them since they were 4 when bedtime was all about stories & songs.  Now that they are older and reading on their own before bed, their parents just kiss em & say goodnight, so they still milk it with me and expect a song when I'm there to put them to bed.  With my limited bedtime song repertoire I'm starting to think it's time for a new bedtime routine (especially as I feel stupid singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to 3rd graders!). 

Any ideas as to a little something special to do when tucking kids in??

Littlejen22

My advice is stick with what you are doing, if you are pacing yourself to get them in bed on time then they are not milking it but just enjoy it and might not like that their parents have stopped. If they are not complaining then assume it is comforting.

neverblushed

We also do nightly family reading.  My kids are 8 and 12.  We read chapter books that make good read-alouds, but which might be too challenging for the kids to read on their own (at least the 8 y/o; the 12 y/o will read anything she can get her hands on!)

But there are a number of more sophisticated short reads that make good bedtime reading for bigger kids.  My kids still both LOVE Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.  Also, chapters from the Little House... books make good short reads.