Bloody bunk bed training.

[BusyCee]

Ds1 (4.9) and DS2 (2) are on night 2 in bunk beds. They've been sharing a room for about 8wks already with ds2 in a cot. It's all in prep for dc3, due in sept.

It's a bloody nightmare. Ds2 keeps wandering about and ds1 is encouraging him and laughing hysterically. I'm trying to do silent return but it's hard with the two of him playing slightly different games with me.

Any hints. Or is it suck it up/ leave home?

[Artandco]

Take 2 year old to bed first, eldest goes to bed once 2 year old is asleep. No winding each other up then

[BusyCee]

I suppose so. I'm just so knackered at 33wks preggo that I need some brain space by 7pm.

But you're probably right. My own fault for getting knocked up again.

[Asleeponasunbeam]

Mine were about those ages when they started sharing bunk beds last year - 2 and just 5. As PP says, it worked best for us if we put DS to bed first for a while. Later, they've been able to go to bed at the same time sometimes, or DS is still awake when DD goes in, but they fall asleep anyway. He did get up a few times in the first weeks, but a strong combination of bribery and threats for DD to stay in bed and not encourage did the trick.

Now I do DS's stories first in his bed, then DD's in our bed before she goes in. He is nearly always asleep by then (about 7.30).

The mornings are a different story!

[LibrariesGaveUsPower]

Yes, earlier bed time for the two year old for a bit.

Do one bedtime routine then sit reading with the elder for 30 mins.

[DeathMetalMum]

We're starting this tomorrow night. Eldest has been in the top bunk for a couple of nights now and I want to get rid of the cot as I know dd2 can get out if she wants to, but doesn't. Were 4.5 and 2.5 I'm not really looking forward to it although dd1's transition was not a problem.

Those who say read do you mean in the same room or different? I can imagine my two year old running riots rather than stay on bed. (We currently sit in until both are asleep).

[LibrariesGaveUsPower]

I think the sitting in until asleep may be your issue when they are together. You might have to sit through some serious shenanigans!

I would put younger to bed. Go to our room and read on our bed then elder to bed after a bit.

[LibrariesGaveUsPower]

But now they all (including baby) sit with me for a story. Then they go to bed while I settle baby. Depending on time they are allowed to read (older) or look at books (younger) for a bit.

[BusyCee]

Aha! Good thinking all, thanks. We currently don't have a bed and haven't for months, don't ask.. but should be remedied this weekend. I'll adopt the 1;2 approach and see how we go.

Thanks for the solidarity too. I was starting to think the 2yo was going feral as I don't remember this ball ache with DS1. Different kettle of fish, though...