I have a nearly 7 year old DS1 and a 7 month old baby. I’m very conscious that DS1 had my undivided attention for the best part of 7 years and I’m questioning myself as to whether I’m doing the right thing?
Baby is in bed and settled by about 6.30. I then try and put DS1 to bed, and give him 30 minutes for bedtime. This includes toilet, brush teeth, get pyjamas on, he does some reading practice, I read him a short story/chapter, and we have a few minutes ‘stay time’ - a chat, an alphabet game, listening to something of his choice on Alexa etc. Me reading a story to him and stay time are very special to him, I think…
But there’s a lot of delaying tactics on his side, hence the 30 minutes timescale. Refusing to get ready for bed, in and out the bathroom, finding the right toys for bedtime, little dances etc. So I try and explain he’s using up stay time etc.
Tonight was another example, lots of mucking about. I refused to read him a story or do stay time. He cried. We had a chat about choosing to do the right thing. He says he has a good and bad side, and sometimes he doesn’t know why he does things. I tried to explain will power to him. I told him I love him, gave him a hug, but left him crying himself to sleep. I feel awful, but appreciate sometimes parenting is tough.
AIBU to expect DS1(aged nearly 7) to do bedtime in 30 minutes and have I gone about this the wrong way? I’ll be ready to take any criticism 😬
YABU to expect a 7 year old to get ready for bed in 30 minutes (including story time) and should take a different approach.
YANBU to expect a 7 year old to be ready for bed in 30 minutes and just need to hang on in there!