3 year old. strict bedtime routine. anyone else?

[breeze]

My ds has the same routine every night. He has to get up turn the TV off, we both have to follow him upstairs, me first them my dh, he brushes his teeth, I have to put the toothpaste on and DH has to put the water on. When he is in bed I have to pull the covers up and kiss and cuddle him, then its DH turn, once that is done I have to turn the light out and DH has to close the door. If we try and do it slightly different he will go into a screaming fit. I know kids like their routine, but this seems a bit much to me. Anyone else anything similar.

not quite so rigid, because we often take it in turns to 'do' bedtime and I'm often at work till 7pm. but dd needs her milk while you're reading to her, her dummy & comforter in her hand, and then a certain pattern of (requested) songs (usually Mary, Mary; Ba Ba Black Sheep; Jack & Jill) before she'll settle properly!

Is this his only routine breeze or does he have others? also how old is he?

My dd2, almost 3, likes her routines too. But for bedtimes (did this with dd1 too) when I've had it. I put my coat on say Goodbye, go out the door. Then creep around the back, come in a settle down to a beer while dh does the rest. It's the only way she'll accept dh doing the bedtime thing, or vice versa, and dd1 was the same until about 3 1/2 to 4'ish when their language/understanding seems to take another leap.HTH.

No this is the only routine that he is rigid with. He's 3.25. He often sleeps round my mums, and anything goes then.

Probably just makes him feel secure then breeze. It's good to have a rigid routine if it gets him to stay in bed

Just re-read the title- of course he's three- I'm so stupid!

My dh can remember a time as a child when he was completely obsessive about his morning routine, and used to get very upset if he wasn't doing a certain thing at a certain time. He actually relates it to a time in his life when things were not great within the family, so maybe this helped him retain some control/security. I'm not an expert, but isn't this kind of behaviour fairly common among children? I can certainly remember types of ritualised/routine based behaviour - like not stepping on the lines in the pavement, and fiddling with my comfort blanket in a certain way. I wouldn't have thought it was anything to worry about, and wouldn't deliberately try and discourage it.

When myself or my Dh is not here at bedtime, he will quite happily go to bed. I do not see this as a problem, I just think that is quite funny and qwerky (sp). He has always been a good sleeper, so if it keeps him happy and content, then thats fine.

Our dd has the same bedtime routine every night. Since it has been established, it has really been easy putting her to bed (until she was one getting her to bed and to sleep was exhausting and almost impossible!). Provided whoever takes her to bed sticks to the routine she's fine...