7 and 4 yo sharing room and bedtimes

[mayaknew]

do you put them to bed together or stagger their bedtimes?

We are having a crisis of bedtime routine atm

We put them to bed together and they both have a bit of time to read or play on a device, then they have half an hour or so of audiobook - 4yo falls asleep quite quickly, 7yo is awake longer and sometimes reads a book or puts more audiobook time on if she's not ready to sleep yet. It was easier than staggering it as DD2 was unhappy about being alone in the room and then would disturb as we put DD1 to bed.

It was easier than staggering it as DD2 was unhappy about being alone in the room and then would disturb as we put DD1 to bed.

Isn’t it rather tough on the older one, or doesn’t she mind? At that age I think I’d have been furious at the idea of having to go to bed at the same time as my little sister.

Mine are older now but used to share a room when they were similar ages (4, 6 and 8). Staggered bedtimes.

Mine are 7 and 4 and go to be at roughly the same time. Never had any protest although we are more relaxed with DS1. He’s a lark though and DS2 is a night owl so that has more of an effect than age.

Isn’t it rather tough on the older one, or doesn’t she mind?

She really doesn't seem to mind, she knows we're quite relaxed about her turning off the light once her sister is asleep, and they have a huge amount of fun fucking about giggling together and chatting when they go to bed. I think if they didn't get on so well it would be much more problematic and of course if she starts making noises about it we'll review but as it stands it works OK.

Sounds like they have a lovely relationship

Mine are 4 and 7 and go to bed at the same time. They have a chat, youngest falls asleep first and then the eldest will draw or read until she falls asleep.