Bedtime with two toddlers, any tips??

[MegBusset]

Seems like only yesterday I was posting for advice on bedtime with a toddler and newborn... got loads of helpful advice then so hoping for the same again!

I now have a 3.6yo and a 16mo who has just learned to walk and has turned overnight into a whirling dervish. Have to do bedtime by myself most nights as DH is at work. They bathe together which is fine but after that all hell breaks loose, they both run round all over the place, I have to try to get them both dressed and also get DS1's eczema creams on, tonight DS2 had a major tantrum over getting his nappy on and teeth brushed.

Once they're both dressed I corral them into DS1's room for a bedtime story but really I might as well not bother because nobody pays me any attention over the wrestling and bed-bouncing and shouting etc etc!

Any tips on how to manage without getting totally shouty and stressed?

No .

Same age gap and I am sure the neighbours hear me hollering at the dc's to stay in one place / put pj's on / don't throw books / don't flood the bathroom / don't throw the toothbrush... etc.

Sometimes it works well if I bath 2yo DD first (then she is ready for bed and plays in her cot) then 3.10yo DS has a shower with me. I tried getting him to watch cbeebies on his own while I got DD ready but that lasted a few days then he wanted to be in on the 'action' upstairs again.

I had this exact problem a few weeks ago! Ds1 2.6 and ds2 15m. We have a tv/dvd player in our bedroom, so I bought a copy of 'In The Night Garden' DVD (recomendation from a friend). After bath etc, I now put the DVD on for them to watch and they get to cuddle in mummy's bed! It's AMAZING, it really winds them down and they're very sleepy when I put them into bed. They're now asleep almost immediately, rather than 1/2 hrs later!

Thanks, I do put a DVD on in our bedroom after bathtime while I attempt to get DS1's eczema cream on, but it only has a limited calming effect, perhaps I need to get a few new ones from the library for novelty factor!