Bedtimes - anyone have advice on making them run smoothly with several?

[ginbob]

bedtimes are a bit of a mare lately - DD(6) and twins DS(2) have v different needs. The boys like stories with mummy and my 'big girl' likes stories with daddy - but DD number 4 is coming in exactly 1 week and I'm worried - how do other parents manage with all these different bedtimes? At the moment we all go up around 8pm and stay reading stories until they are all asleep. Should i stagger them, should i be more strict about the big one reading independently for a couple of stories until we can spare the time between nappies and milk and crying? V challenging times ahead I'm sure, esp when DH is away - can anyone offer advice in this area? thanks :)

I have 3 DD's, 5, 2 and 1. Bedtimes are just getting easier now, it's easier now to put them down on my own but there was some hairy evenings. Here's what I would do, get everyone ready for bed, put the twins up and read a story and put to bed then go back down and have DD read you a story while you give baby her evening feed and put both of them down to bed. Sound easy??? It won't be and it will take time to get them used to not having you there till they fall asleep but it will be more practical in the long run. Good luck, exciting times ahead!

thanks niamh29 sounds like a plan and i think there will be much screaming (that's just me lol). twins will get up and run about and DD will be crying because she wants me to read the story and I haven't got any hands free. I will try it!!!

i agree with niamh get everyone ready in pjs etc, then take them up for stories a couple at a time. i have 3 dc age 3, 2 and a baby so i treat the 3 & 2 the same and do their stories together but i put the baby in bed separately - normally put something on for them to watch and give them milk to drink while i run up and feed baby til he falls asleep and put him in cot then go back for the other 2, clean teeth and take them up for their stories.
i think with newborn just keep her up with you for a bit and dont bother doing any bedtime for a couple of months when she is a bit more settled otherwise will be too much work?

Yes Firawla, the PJ and teeth routine needs to be exaggerated and not woolly as it is now. Perhaps I should do older DD's story first as ironically she is more tired having had no nap during the day. Then the boys whilst she reads one to herself; shove the baby in her cot or playpen for the duration, go down to check every so often. And then leave the boys to it once they're sleepy enough to stay in bed, and go back to older DD for a final story and night-night. Then do the night feed. Oh dear what a nightmare that just sounded; well watch this space and thanks for your input. I'm not a natural 'routine person' and appreciate the benefit of your experience!