Bedtime for small ones

[littleraysofsunshine]

I have a just three year old, and 19month old. Obviously different development levels.

And we do try to lead with a relaxed approach with some kind of routine/structure when we know it benefits them. The issue lately (Christmas causes a muck up in routine too) but as they're with me all day, and dp works 6-5, when he gets home it's usually dinner, play, bath, snuggles then bed. But they sometimes find it very difficult to wind down as they're so excited to see him home.

We had a wonderful day at home today (dd2 has a nap still but dd1 doesn't) so they're both tired by now but still fight their tiredness where so excited to see dp.

We don't like to leave them alone to go to sleep as the past three years have varied a lot and they've had a lot to deal with. So instead we focus on giving them lots of affection before bed plus stories. Dd1 sleeps through but dd2 still wakes once around 4am then the other issue is where they're staying up later, it equals laying in longer in the morning. Which is no good when dd1 starts every morning nursery in a week or so. And baby #3 is due in 3.5 weeks!

[littleraysofsunshine]

?

[beckslovestimmy]

What's your question? Just given us a lot of info so far

[littleraysofsunshine]

I'm just not sure what to try or what I can alter really

[Bakerof3pudsxx]

You say you don't like to leave them alone to go to sleep

Will you feel the same in 5 years time

[notadoctor]

My DD is just over 2yrs and doesn't go to sleep on her own - she did as a younger baby but doesn't now - I work part-time and on the days I get back I'm not home until 6pm so I think that may be why.

I don't know if it's useful but our routine looks something like this:

6ish Tea
6.30ish Bath-time. Quite often I get in the big bath with her for play and cuddles. Brush teeth/ hair etc.
7ish Stories and milk in bedroom (usually 4 stories which we take turns to choose)
Then into bed. I snuggle in next to her and describe the nicest things about that day, focussing on things she did which I liked - she made me laugh, she put her socks on herself, she was fast at running.
Then I sit just outside her door - where she can hear me rustling and read my book until she dozed off.
She's usually asleep between 7:45 -8:15pm.

[Bakerof3pudsxx]

Gosh

That seems a lot of fuss to me!

But what works for one doesn't for another!

My dc are 9months, 4&5 years old

Baby has bath at 5.45
Older two get in about 6.10
Baby has milk while older ones are in bath
Older ones out at 630
Into pjs with teeth brushed for 645
All sit together on sofa where older ones each read their school reading book out loud or they take it in turns to choose one story per night
Off to bed at 7

Older two get in bed
I put dd in cot, turn on music n light thingy, give her a kiss and leave the room
Go and give older dc a kiss and leave the room

Dd is usually asleep within 10 mins max
Older two between 5&30 mins

[Artandco]

Small gap here.

We do roughly:
8pm milk in cup
8.15pm bath
8.30pm pjs, in ds1 bed
8.45pm x2 books between them, then we put ds2 in his bed and say goodnight. Leave door adjar

They are asleep just gone 9pm usually. I know this is later than most but they will sleep in in morning and this works for our family schedule ( rarely home before 7pm)