To just want my children to GO TO BED??????

[Foxesinsockses]

Friday evening and I am done in, been a really hard week at work then switched at 5pm straight into Mummy mode. Busy week for them too, tired but happy. However DH has got them watching a movie which they are just about holding it together for but it'll be carnage when it's finished and we need to get them washed and PJs and stories read and tucked in . . .
I am sure from their point of view it is a lovely Friday night snuggled up with Daddy on the sofa knowing that Mummy's going to swoop in and bath them and read to them and cuddle them when it's finished but it's going to be close to 9pm by the time I get finished and I JUST WANT SOME PEACE AND QUIET.

Phhh. It's just family life, innit, and they are lovely children and I'm immensely fortunate and grateful but sometimes . . . AIBU just to wish I could put my own needs first and say NO to the Friday night movie and get them to bed earlier so I can collapse without anyone needing anything (in stereo)??

Why could one of you not have got them bathed and into PJs earlier?

Why couldn’t somebody have made this point much earlier in the thread?

People have suggested no bath and that sort of thing but I would say, bath them earlier so they are ready for bed as soon as film ends. Of course it wouldn't kill them to miss it altogether for one night.

However the op has put them to bed as they are, now, so drama over.

It’s been suggested repeatedly.

Yes but the op has done what she felt was right and it's over now. Maybe she will take our points on board in the future but I would have thought you just do what you can at the time.

I honestly don't remember worrying about such things when I was in her position. Mind you there was no Mumsnet to moan on then (thankfully).

God it feels better sometimes just to have people tell you you're not awful for enjoying every single second of being Mummy and cutting some corners.

My mummy style is basically circular at this point as there are no corners! DD is almost 8. She has got to the stage of being told she must be in her bed by half past 7 if she wants to read/a story read to her until 8pm. Any time after half past 7 and it's lights out time, no story. Baths are done straight after dinner or in the morning at the weekend, showers are more common in the evening now because its much quicker than waiting for a bath to end.

I realise it's more difficult with 2 kids but stick on a favourite song, tell them they have to be fully pj'ed, teeth brushed and in bed before it finishes, 3 2 1 go.

Wine during film is also helpful to take the edge off of bedtime afterwards (and gets you through the more tedious choices of what is being watched).