To want my kids to go to bed

[Movingon2]

They are 9,12,13. Well I want the 9 year old to go to bed - I’ve been up since 6, doing packets lunches and then taking 9 year old. to breakfast club - worked 9-5 in a clinical role and then picked up from after school club, made dinner for all kids and I just want to sleep. I think I might BU but I’m so tired as a single working parent

Yanbu. What time do they go up? My 9yo goes at 7.30. We read a chapter of her book, then she is allowed to read for another hour (not that I go check I dont mind if she reads longer).

Any chance you can at least fob the older kids packed lunches onto them?

Hand them iPads/device. Send them up to their rooms and put your feet up.

I used to have DD go for quiet time in her room before bedtime. Gave her time to read and wind down and gave me time to relax.

What is his/her normal bedtime?

Why are you doing their packed lunches? Giving them a cut off time is perfectly reasonable. How much of the burden is the other parent taking?

@StopGo

Why are you doing their packed lunches? Giving them a cut off time is perfectly reasonable. How much of the burden is the other parent taking?

I think I might BU but I’m so tired as a single working parent

I think that answers your question.

Tell your 9 year old that my 9 year old has to be in bed at 730pm. She reads to me, I read to her.
Any chance you could get one of the older ones to listen to reading or read to the 9 year old?

I'd crash out on the sofa, I think it's too early for a 9 year olds bedtime.

@CoRhona

I'd crash out on the sofa, I think it's too early for a 9 year olds bedtime.

For a 9yo at gone 9pm on a school night?

Yikes!

8pm in bed with a book/parent reading aloud at 9yo. Lights off by 8 30

On the packed lunch front (I hate making packed lunches) - mine are similar ages and make their own sandwiches / rolls x 5 on a Sunday and put them in the freezer (where there are already frube yoghurts). Then each morning, they pack their own boxes taking a sandwich and frube from the freezer (which keeps the lunch cool but defrosts by lunchtime) and adding fruit / veg from the fridge and a packet of crisps / breadsticks or whatever from the cupboard. There's a list on the freezer to remind the 9 year old what they need (so it doesn't end up just the snack items) and I don't need to be involved!!

Introduce ‘bedtime’ as quiet time in their rooms

I would just say all ages have to be in bedroom by 9pm. 9-10pm they can choose to sleep, read, something quiet. Lights out by 10pm (prob 9.30pm for youngest).

@penfoldpenny op posted at ten to eight

OP, YANBU! I know how hard it is to be completely knackered and your children are still awake. It’s not helped at all by the clocks changing either.

In terms of packed lunches, could you do some prepping to make it easier in the long run? I still remember the traumatic evening of my mum producing three 24 packs of bread rolls to bulk make for lunches. 24 cheese, 24 ham and 24 tuna rolls in one go. Worst evening but it was then done and we didn’t have to think about it again for a while.

Mine are 11 and 13. I send them to bed at about 9- 9:30 so I can go to bed. They don't have to go to sleep but they need to go to their rooms - they can read or draw quietly or something.

CoRhona - ooops sorry I was looking at the time you posted not the op!

@beingatwatitsabingthing what, you can freeze ham and tuna mayo??

OP I make my kids' lunches too but they wash up lunch boxes and water bottles by hand and they empty the dishwasher. YANBU to be shattered and need a rest. Maybe 9 year old can read to themselves for a bit and you just tuck them in. Something's got to give.

[quote NeedaLittleNap]@beingatwatitsabingthing what, you can freeze ham and tuna mayo??

OP I make my kids' lunches too but they wash up lunch boxes and water bottles by hand and they empty the dishwasher. YANBU to be shattered and need a rest. Maybe 9 year old can read to themselves for a bit and you just tuck them in. Something's got to give.[/quote]
We did. Whether or not you should is a different matter. My dad and sister are still alive to tell the tale and they ate defrosted tuna and ham sandwiches for years. I only ate the cheese as I am veggie.

@BeingATwatItsABingThing 😆