Bedtimes

[TerrariaMum]

So I have 3 under 5. The eldest is 3, will be 4 in December and no matter how hard we try, we can't get her to bed before 10 PM. Her sister is 19 months old and is usually asleep by 8 or so and her brother is only 6 months old so he sort of sleeps whenever.

The routine I have or try to have with the girls is supper, bath, bed. I am finding this difficult as DS really hates being left out but I can't really put him in the bath with them as he can't sit up yet (he was born at 8 months so really he is only 5 months). Also, DD1 loves her bath and it is a struggle to get her out. In some ways, I've used this as an opportunity to get DD2 to sleep, but it means DD1 has started to get used to being in the bath as long as she wants. I'm trying to change this by using counting down and timers and alarms, but I'm not doing well.

When DD1 gets out of the bath and into her bedroom, standard procedure is to put her nightie on and she has a quiet play, then 2 stories and into bed. But she won't stay in bed, she protests that she is not tired or that she is hungry or thirsty. Now, I suspect some of this has to do with DH working long hours atm which means he often doesn't get home until 8, but I think she genuinely needs more sleep especially if she is going to start at full time nursery next term as I hope she will do. She is only there in the afternoon atm.

I guess I'm wondering if you all have any suggestions on what else I could do. Oh, I usually start the supper, bath, bedtime routine at 5 or 5:30.

Thank you

Hmm. This sounds difficult but then I have always been strict and consistent with bedtimes. I love my DC, but NEED me time when they're all in bed! They're 6, 3 and 22 months.

We usually have tea at about 5:40, clean up after that, then if it's a bath night slowly go upstairs. Bath them all together (or occasionally let my eldest - the only DS - a shower on his own), then out together, teeth brushed, bedtime wee and into bedrooms.

The youngest has her own room atm while the older two share. They get their jammies on while I get youngest ready for bed. She has milk in her cot, and I say good night. Sometimes a story, depending on how tired I am! This will be around 7pm.

Then I say good night to the other two, sometimes read them a story, or sometimes DS reads to his sister. If they're still quite awake, I'll let them have the light in for a bit. But they know under no circumstances must they wake the youngest up, so they stay in their room and are quiet.

You can put the baby into the bath with the older two! I did it from around 12ish weeks when the baby was awake in the evening. You need a bath support like www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Ergonomic-Bath-Support/265758,default,pd.html They are awesome and completely hands free. I had my 4 dc quite close together - in five years - and this really did help.

Personally, I think that as soon as your eldest starts nursery, this may be less of an issue. She will probably be knackered! My oldest are now almost 8 and 6. They go to bed at the same time as their 4 and 2 yo sisters, but they are allowed to stay up reading or drawing in bed. Perhaps an audio book? Something to divert her attention from trying to stay awake?

Also, getting her out of the bath, I've had that trouble too, I let the water out of the bath. Perhaps when you get baby out of the bath, you could get her to 'help' you? Make a big deal about baby coming into the bath, how you'll need her help and she is nearly 4?

Would it be a problem to let her stay quietly in her bed until daddy comes home and says goodnight, then he can come in and kiss her and turn out the light?

Tricky stuff, you really need to be able to walk out of the room. This is coming from a women who still sits in the room til her almost 3 yo falls asleep