Please share your bedtime routine - esp. if you have two kids.

sistrkate · October 2010

Ours has completely careened out of control.

Reading mrs.george's post below, I do chalk a lot of this up to DS's age but my lord I do not know how to regain control. Now that he is mostly potty-trained, his last stunt of every night is telling us "pee is coming, I need to go potty." The first couple of times we believed him, and at least once he did go.

But now, he wants a million books, a million songs, a million drinks of water, and has to go potty.

Seriously. How do you get two kids in bed before 10 PM? I'm ready to hang myself.

cat81305 · October 2010

We start read a book or two to both kids then lay DD down. DS then watches one show (20mins). We then tell him what is allowed (how many books, etc...). We usually bring him a small snack (cubed cheese or a few grapes), juice/water cup, read 2-3 books depending on time, brush teeth, potty, then lay down kisses/hugs/etc...then I sit with him for a few minutes without talking with him and then we head out. He is not potty trained so he is still in diapers but he likes to pee on the potty before bed and he likes to procrastinate too but we just stick to it. A few times he has gone to bed screaming but 90% of the time this all works for him. We put DD in bed about 30-45mins before we have him in bed and lights out. Good luck!

kel716 · October 2010

Seriously, I just shut the door one night. He had a cup of water on the floor, was insisting on me laying with him and would. not. settle. down. My patience was already fried from the day at school + an overtired toddler, so I just walked out. He fell asleep on the floor. It's working. Maybe we got lucky, but I've found limiting him to 2 books, bringing the water in, and keeping the routine short has greatly helped us. GL... I can't imagine it with 2 kids...

warriormomerin · October 2010

Finding a routine and sticking to it is the only thing that has worked for us. I had to have them in bed by 8:00 when I was in school so we've stuck with that routine.

At 7 we do bath (every other night), books, homework, etc. At 7:30 each kid gets to watch their nightly show. For DS it's Diego and DD it's iCarly.They always eat their daily apple (they love apples and it somehow became part of the routine) during this time too.

They're pretty much trained to know that once their show is over they brush their teeth, give everyone hugs and kisses and hit the bed.They share a room and usually spend about 10-15 minutes talking or snuggling before they fall asleep.

I've been through all the stall tactics with both of mine and the only thing that has worked is removing their nightlight or music from the room until they stay in bed quietly for 5 minutes. Then the light comes back on.

curlypie1 · October 2010

I'm not one to talk about bedtimes for 2 since I haven't quite got that figured out yet, but I wanted to chime in on the potty thing. I force Nora to go to the potty before bed. She doesn't get books if she doesn't. She ALWAYS goes even if she says she doesn't have to. This has eliminated the whole wanting to get up thing. Right after she got the hang of the potty, she did what Justin did and it added another hour on to her falling asleep most nights. I think the joy of getting up wore away and she doesn't do that anymore. It can wear on you!

MelissaMc22 · October 2010

Our routine is about 7:30-8ish I take Sawyer upstairs, PJ's, teeth, nurse bed. so easy.

8:00-8:30 DH takes Jack upstairs- PJ's, teeth, pee, drink, one book, 2 songs, prayers, (I usually go in and sing)

Sometiems he gets up for something silly, like a long lost animal he never plays with, or because he "forgot " something, but we are pretty strict about the routine and he doesn't, surprisingly, stray too much from it. It usually takes about 20 minutes. (also remember he doesn't nap anymore, so he is probably pretty tired)

This sounds silly, but what about making a bedtime chart? Make a list of what has to happen in he exact order and if he does it he gets a prize? (which may be just a smiley face on the chart) or a sticker, or positive feedback or whatever.

Then just talk it up through the day, explaining that this is the new plan?

Jackson is really into Calendars, grocery lists, dys f the week, stuff like that right now so I think it would work well for him.

good luck.

Want a personalized experience?

Please share your bedtime routine - esp. if you have two kids.

Re: Please share your bedtime routine - esp. if you have two kids.

Choose Another Board

Search Boards