How to get your children to sleep at night?

[Staceylouise22]

Hello, im in desperate need of getting my children to sleep at night. Ive tried pillow sprays, night lights, body sprays with lavender, books, long baths with bedtime bath in it. Nothing works! Ive been told about melatonin however my gp won't prescribe it and i cannot buy it from the pharmacy. Is there anything else i can do?
My eldest is 5yrs and my youngest is 14 months

Do you stay in the room with them? Mine both like someone to stroke their backs to sleep or at least sit in the room with them.
5yo and 3yo.
I can sit across the room from them which I don't mind cos they're usually asleep within 15mins max.
Always had teeth/wash/Pyjamas/story/bed.
3yo did go through a phase of trying to get into 5yo bunk bed but I sat with him and settled him.

I always get him out of her cot , tell him it's not safe , but I eventually have to walk away as when I've tried to sit in the room with them they stay awake laughing or talking , but when I've gone up to bed myself occasionally I will find my son asleep in my daughters cot . I've tried , lavender sprays, mists , bath wash , lotions , nightlights and music . Nothing works!

Moshi twilight sleep stories! Theres an app or a couple of videos on youtube. My DD is nearly 5 and honestly the sleepypaws song was an absolute game changer. Its 15 mins long but she has never reached the end.

I just pop it on then dim the backlight and turn device upside down on the other side of the room so she doesn't watch it or mess with it.

I'd tell him he'll have to go to bed BEFORE his sister if he gets into her cot. He'll likely cut it out then, there's nothing quite like percieved injustice as a motivator.

I also like a PP's plan of putting her down in your own room and then transferring her later when you go to bed. And bribe him with a star chart, enough stars and he gets a set treat that hopefully he'll want to earn. He gets a star for going to sleep quietly without disturbing his sister.