Two children, sharing bedroom. Hell. On. EARTH.

[MrsMikeDelfino]

Seriously, come bedtime they're winding each other up. It's getting ridiculous. I've even staggered bedtimes so the 6 year old goes 7.30pm, the 10 year old approx 8.00 pm when it's a school night. (He's a nightmare if he goes any later.)
What would you do if the 6 year old was still wide awake though so the minute the oldest one comes to bed they're pratting about, annoying each other and generally crying within 5 minutes flat of being in the same room?!
Starting to really grind.

Move to a bigger place/convert the loft/put up a tent in the garden?

Partition wall? Or removal of privileges for arseing about?

Would love to move to a bigger place. Sadly can't afford to upgrade to a 3 bedroom house at moment!
We have no garden.Although a shed. Now THERE'S an idea {grin]
All serious though, I've just about had enough of it lately, any ideas on how to sort them out greatly appreciated

Good idea with the partition wall, we were thinking about that as an option. I have visions of them knocking on the wall and STILL winding each other up though

"Threaten to put one in your bed/room? " - In our house that would be a treat rather than a punishment.

What are you doing with your kids at, and just before, bedtime? Are you spending much time interacting with them in the evening? It sounds like bed time might have become an 'unofficial' playtime. If you are not already doing it, how about reading them a bedtime story? You could also try wearing them out more - take them to the playground for a while before/after dinner at this time of year. Use the above as the carrot side of carrot/stick (stick being lost 'privileges' for things they like doing the next day)

I let one of them get in my bed (whichever is the victim of the other that night) and then turf them out when I come up.

They're normally pretty good though. It only happens a few times a month.

What are the consequences for winding each other up?

Is DC2 genuinely not tired, or are they staying up to see older DC? Would you consider bumping both bedtimes back 15-30 min? What about a active activities during the day to try and wear them out a bit more, i.e. bike to/from school, trip to the park after school...

What did you do previously in terms of rooms etc. Have you moved recently, or has this only just become a problem?

Sorry for the multitude of questions! Just trying to figure out the situation!

If your six year old isn't tired, I'd let him have the later bed time.

We have three in one room, and the rules are light out and silent reading (by booklight) after the first has gone to bed.

We don't organise bed times by age, but everyone is usually in bed by 9pm.

Do they put themselves to bed? Or do you stay with them for a bit to calm them down?

We do have a bedtime routine. Telly goes off around 6.30/7pm, and it's baths, supper, and a bedtime story too. (10 year old occasionally still likes a bedtime story, but mainly likes to read books by himself now. )