2.5 yr old DS sleep timeis a nightmare. wants to share room with 7yr old brother

[Scruffyhound]

I put both DS in the same room over 4 weeks ago. after they both asked. They both still want.to share. so heres the thing. evening routine is bath timr around 7 (as we both work full time and this is 20 mins after tea) after bath time its chill in bef with a choice of dvd. Normally about 7.30 - 8. Then tv off story (sometimes read by 7 yr old as he needs to read 5 times a week). Then time for hugs and sleep time around 8.30. I dont expect sleep straight away. but my 2.5 yr old kicks off every night. Time for bed now I will say he will say NO. Spin around in his bed mess about. I tried pitting him.on the naughty spot. but I this ends up.beong repeated over for an hour. Its then 9.30. By then he is tired. I have tried leaving him. sitting in the room putting him back inside his bed. They still want to share. Has anyone got any suggestions hes driving me up the wall. The attitude is awful. I would be greatful of any help.

We found putting our DS to bed together a nightmare so we split the routine. So first ds3 (3yrs) goes to bed with a story cuddle and lights out by 7pm. He makes a fuss but we are firm and take away toys for short periods if he is noisy. Whilst he settles ds2 and 1 (5 and 7) do homework and reading and have a story in a different room. Once ds3 is asleep then ds2 goes to bed (he shares with ds3) he is great at going to bed. Then I focus on ds1 doing any work he has not finished. Lights out for him at 8pm.

I personally would drop the DVD and split the bedtime. We stopped naps in the day when they made bedtime too late and I find my DS are a nightmare if they go to bed too late.

Hi Lorisparkle thanks very much for the information. I talked about it with a friend who has 3 children. She said the same thing as you. Will try this over the next few days. It sounds good. I can leave my older son down stairs doing home work and reading. Then my younger son up to bath story and bed. Then return back down stairs and continue with my eldest. Thanks every so much for the advice. Xxxx :)