Help - lost control of bedtime!

[shinywhiteteeth]

So I have DD age 4 and DD age 6 and bedtime has turned into a nightmare. We do the usual brush teeth, drink of water, last wee, read book and lights off. They listen to music or story cd and go to sleep. At least that is the plan!! What usually happens is that they run around like crazy, wind each other up, get up a million more times, change beds, come downstairs etc etc. They share a room ( plan to change that when we extend house), have done for about 3 years. We are both getting really fed up with bedtime lasting hours on end and leaving us no time for ourselves. Has anyone got any ideas on regaining control of bedtime without shouting? Thank you!

Do the first part of routine together. Then let 6 year old read books in your bed for 30 mins. Meanwhile take 4 year old to bed, read story and let her fall asleep first. You an then read to eldest in your room after her 30 mins alone, and send her to bed after once 4 year old asleep.

You bribe eldest with the fact that they get to stay up later as so grown up and elder on condition they go straight to sleep and don't wake younger one

When is bedtime currently also? Could it be too early and they aren't actually tired enough

Everything art said.

Bedtime starts at 7 to be in bed for 7.30. We did try separate bedtime which they both liked but found that while 4 year old was happy to go to bed and stay in bed, 6 year old was still up at 8.30, 9pm. It was a lot calmer though! Just dont get anytime with husband just to sit and chat and watch tv. Good suggestion though, might try it again with the reading in our room so 6 year old isnt coming downstairs again and i love a bit of bribery!

NEVER let them back downstairs once you've started the bedtime routine

Complete over reaction, but you get the gist

I have broken the first rule of parenting havent I?! Along with number 2,3,4 etc. Can you tell its reached breaking point!

I woUld move bedtime back 30 mins. So start 7.30pm. 7.45pm both in own or your bed. 8.15/8.30pm move eldest from your bed into there's once you get asleep.

In the end it's still an hour or so, but hopefully an hour of relaxing reading, settled bed rather than manic.

Never let them down after bed has began.

Also stop all screens 2 hours before bed. So in your case no tv/ iPad/ etc after 5.30pm.

My 3 and 5 year olds get told that if they come out of their rooms the landing light gets switched off which they hate and the same for too much noise. It seems to work so far....

How are you getting on now Shiny?