Bedtimes, I can't bear it anymore!!! Any top tips?

[cathcat]

I put Ds1 and DS2 to bed on my own at least 5 nights, if not 6. (DH works evenings). We are all tired and it turns into a huge battle of wills. Ds2 is quite demanding at the best of times but bedtime he goes to a whole different level. he starts screeching at the slightest thing. my blardy nerves can't take it!
What can I do? Would seperate bedtimes help?

meant to say they are 3 and 5.

Father Christmas!
Are they over tired? Have you tried starting the routine earlier?
Do they have a routine?

second the idea of a routine...
tea
play
bath..
story... (quiet time)..
bed...

My routine is similar to the one above.
We also have a little routine of goodnight words so ds is occupied saying the 'lines' as I leave the room.

looking back... these are lovely ages... I miss storys.. tiger that came for tea was always a favourite.. warm milk in a tippy cup... dim lights and snuggly kids.. mine are 12 and 10 now and definately harder to get to bed!

'the baby who wouldn't go to bed' by helen cooper

We have a routine, but Ds2 is happy to cause havoc. Don't dim the lights, could try that. I can't bear it when you turn your back and one of them finds a long forgotten toy, starts playing with it and the other starts screaming for it....arrgghh.
Takes me an hour from getting upstairs, bath, teeth, story, lights out. Too long or about average?

About average I think esp as your doing 2 - maybe do the little one first after bath. Let the older dc have quite 'big boy' play with a book and low lights?

I think you may be doing the same thing as me. I have a 3 year old and 18 month old. The 3 year old and I clash EVERY DAY about leaving the house.

It has become a habit. I know that most of it is how I deal with it. I get annoyed, he gets more annoying (and on and on)

Maybe we should do this (if I write it maybe tomorrow I will sort it out!)

1. talk to them about how we have a problem.

1. say we both need to make it a nice time

1. agree to have no shouting/bickering/tantrums about shoes going on (or not going on from his perspective)

1. agree a treat for us both if we do it well (a sticker or whatever for both of us)

1. if do well for a week a prize

1. then if starts up again IGNORE it but remember to praise it when it goes well.

right you can now ignore my waffles, but I am going to do it as of tomorrow

(did similar for his hitting/biting phase and really worked)

wish me luck! and sorry for using your thread as self-therapy

self therapy is good, lol.
Hope this works, I will try it. DS2 is like this about leaving the house too now I think about it!