hi guys, two things I would like some advice on

[trinityrhino]

firstly, what do you think would be a goo bedtime routine for a 14 month old, so far there is none, I am open to all suggestions, would like to find some inspiration.

I don't feel that she is getting enough sleep and would like to try snd help her to get more, she has no bedtime routine at the mo and I don't think that is a good thing

also what household jobs could my 6 year old do, so that I could make her feel important and let her join in with me, she watches too much telly and is exhibiting attention seeking behaviour which is damaging our reltionship.

any help greatly appreciated

xxx

Not really sure I can help although do try and get your 14 month into a routine that means they go to bed earlier than your 6 year old before they can put their case for not doing so! My 6 year old still goes to bed at the same time as my 10 year old and it drivs us nuts as she won't get up in the morning! Obviously needs more sleep but even when we try to get her to bed earlier she invariably just lies there til she know her sister has to go to sleep too!

About the jobs I will watch the thread with interest as my 6 year old DD is exactly the same.

I'll be "paying" DSs (7 & 5) to wash my car this summer. Sweeping up? Emptying the dishwasher? Sorting laundry into whites/colours?

Bedtime routine - a simple bath, drink, teeth, bed, story, sleep routine is what worked for us. They didn't always have the bath and now no longer ave the drink either.

A simple tea, bath, and to bed with a story routine should do it with your 14mth old - the same with your 6yo, only later to bed for her. Privilege of being eldest child.

My kids lay the table and clear their plates etc away after. They also both help with their rooms. Ds is now capable of tidying his room by himself to a reasonable standard.

They also tidy away toys when asked. My older two are 8 and almost 6.

I'm sure your older dd could help in general with the baby, passing things to you when changing nappies etc. I would just involve her as much as you can with her sister, but also when dd2 goes to bed, perhaps make some special time for dd1. Perhaps play a game or do something arty at the table for half an hour or so. HTH

for the 6 year old how about setting the table for dinner? helps them learn left from right too and about table manners (well thats the theory anyway). can you get her involved in 14 mnth olds bedtime routine eg helping with bath or telling/reading a story? Its amazing what little ones will pay attention too when its an older child doing the telling rather than an adult. Some simple books like Hug by Jez someone or other are great for bigger kids to read to babies.

Hi I have a 2.6 girl and 8mth boy (new not sure about DS thingy). They both have a bed routine and have had one since 6 wks old. Obviously at a young age they would still wake for feeds but after feeding went back to bed. They both have a 2hr nap during the day (although my older child is starting to grow out of this). 6.45 is bath time, 7pm baby out dressed and bottle and asleep by 7.20ish My little girl is out shortly after my little boy (who I dress on bathroom floor whilst she is in the bath). She plays with bedtime toys and books whilst I feed my baby then I do stories for her in mummies bed which she adhores and then shes asleep in her own bed by 7.45 (they share a room at the mo). 8pm a glass of wine for mum before ironing etc commences!!! they both sleep through until boy:6am girl:6.30-7am. As with all routines I find if you persevere after 3 or 4 days of hell you start to win and life becomes easier. (book recommendation Secrets of Baby whisperer and same but for Toddlers both by Tracy Hogg and should be in your Library)

As for jobs well my little girl does washing up(only plastics etc and never knives etc), cooking-chops mushrooms with plastic knife, mixes things etc, lays the table (in her way!!), tidies up, hoovers when I hoover, cleans bathroom sink when I do bath(her own cloth and no detergents), loves mopping kithen floor- I put a little clear water on floor which she uses to polish the floor after mummy has cleaned it!!!, puts shopping away or on worktops, puts clothes away etc....

hope thats helpful.

I agree with the posts about bath, book etc at bedtime. We also adopted the cbeebies bedtime song, Oh the time has come to say goodnight etc

Its one of the best things we've done for ds2 now 2.4. As soon as we start singing it he gets his Spot and chooses his book and waits at the bottom of the stairs.

Its also meant that he can stay at grandparents and impress them with his willingness to go to bed as soon as they sing it!

My six year old lays the table,brings dirty washing down to the machine and is in charge of toilet roll restocking That's on top of keeping his bedroom tidy-ish.
The 12 year old hoovers if he doesn't have homework,walks and feeds the dog,makes sure he has clean water.Puts the rubbish out on bin day and gets everyones water at meal times.Thats on top of keeping his bedroom tidy(in theory).
The two year old helps pick up toys and helps me sort the washing.

Bedtime routine for all three always has been and still is bath,milk and story(or read now for the big ones) then bed.I am a stickler for bedtime routines and have never had a sleep problem with any of them.
In bed by 7pm,7.30pm and 8 pm.(half hour later on Fridays and Saturdays)
My sister says my house at bedtime is like a
barracks,but the rest of the time is like the Osbornes.

Ds is 3 and folds towels, helps make beds, passes me pegs as I hang out washing, takes his own plate back to the kitchen, helps make meals and bake, tidies his toys away the day the cleaner comes, restocks the toilet rolls and puts his own washing in the basket. In short he does a little bit of every job I do during the day.

I think that's the key to start with - the job should be with you, rather than for you.