DC share a room but have different sleep requirements

[ImFree2doasiwant]

Dc ages 5 and 6 share a bedroom. There us no other option (no other room!) Bedroom is large. Since dc2 went into the room (out of mine) they have gone to bed at the same time. Recently though the younger is very tired and drops off very quickly. The older can be awake anything from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. Obviously separate bedrooms would be helpful but not an option abd I can't move at this stage.

I feel that dc2 will be most unhappy at an earlier bedtime, but it doesn't seem fair that dc1 us going to bed too early.

Dc1 has never needed as much sleep, abd wajes up early full of beans whereas dc2 has always been more of a lay in snoozey kind of child.

Amy suggestions?? I don't kniw what I'm asking really.

I don’t think it’s a problem to let DC1 stay up later? Especially if DC2 nods off quickly, can’t they start the bath/ teeth/ pyjama process as the little one nods off, then the quietly get into bed?

If they want to read they could do it on your room, or with a clip on book light.

One used to "go to bed" in our bed.

In reality stay up and read/quiet play.

Totally agree. Just let older one stay awake a bit longer.

I don't mind older dc staying up, I suppose I feel that younger DC will start objecting (and not going to sleep...) abd the whole process will end up taking ages.

I am a single parent, so can't leave older to other parent.

If the room is large can you divide it with boxed shelving units that can have storage boxes in either side to give the impression of a room each. But not dividing it completely. Then dd1 could read, look at books or play quietly in bed with a lamp on in 'his' room.

Can you say it’s for one-on-one time with each child? Younger gets his first, in his bed, a chat, story with you. Older gets his later. It’s their special time each.

Mine are 5 and 3. Younger could do with going a bit earlier, it's been a bit easier since 5 year old started reception as he is a bit more knackered and both can go earlier.

I tried putting younger to bed earlier and it didn't work she just refused to sleep. Ds goes to bed with a nightlight and books and/or Yoto and as long as he stays in bed and is quiet he isn't expected to sleep straight away.

Mine are 7 and 4 and share. Always went to bed together until a few months ago as I was facing this exact issue. Now 4yo goes to bed at 7pm and 7yo gets 'staying up time' until about 7.45pm. Little one did object but it's tough, big bro is older and that is that. It can't always be fair between them, that's just life. Works well now they are used to the new routine. Can't say I'm a fan of losing some of my evening though but it's only going to get worse!

Mine shared out of choice, 2 years apart. We read a story together and dd2 (lower bunk had lights out and dd1 was allowed a further 30 mins reading

@Paddingtonsmarmlade that's exactly my worry. We have a yoto, DC2 can't stay awake for long with the sleepytales on. Dc1 I think might be staying awake to listen to it sometimes they only have sleepytales or bedtime meditations at night

@LillyBugg I long for a 7pm bedtime dc2 would go for 7 30 /7.45. Dc1 would be 8.30 really.

Get dc1 to feign sleep until younger one asleep? Then get up for half hour?

Story together and then eldest goes to your room for solo reading. Keep picture books going as long as you can, they are great for DC to read idly by themselves sometimes, even when they are capable of chapter books. You don't always want to read something challenging, especially last thing at night.

I think we always had oldest staying up longer once they were past the baby stage. Like with you, it was actually more about the way they were wired than their ages. However we said you need a bit less sleep as you get older, and so your bedtime gets gradually later until you are going to bed as late as Mummy.

Luckily our DC2 dropped off very quickly and it was easy for DC1 to sneak back in soon after. You might find DC1 thrives on an extra quiet reading time. As they've got older it's been valuable to DC1 to have that bit of extra time whether for my time & attention, more grown up TV, homework or reading.