Putting 3 to bed on my own

[TinyTeachr]

Hi All,

It's my first night trying to put all 3 kids to bed alone - one 4 year old and twins that are 7 months old.

Any tips? Usually I put the twins to bed while my DH looks after DD and then I go in and sing her a lullaby and give her a kiss after the twins are asleep. I'm planning on doing bathtime for all 3 at the same time (twins have baby baths, she can go in the proper tub) and she can come in for their bedtime story, but then she'll have to wait in her room while i get them to sleep, which can take twenty minutes.... will she get lonely? What do people do with their older kids while they're settling little ones?

How do the twins fall asleep? What would happen if you just put them down and left them?

My kids have all been very sound sleepers once asleep, so when I had three or all four of mine to put to bed when they were little we all piled in my bed and read stories and fell asleep in a heap. Then I moved them to their beds once they were fast asleep!

They are in side cots attached to my bed. One lies in his cot watching a projector on the ceiling while I settle the other (I pat chest and shush, takes somewhere between 5&15 minutes). However, the only thing that stops them trying to crawl off the bed is me.... so I can't put them down and leave them.

Could your older child stay with you and you lift her to her bed when you want to?

@HappyAsASandboy I might have to do that, but it'll be very boring for her to sit silently while I settle them. I guess I should probably give her the choice.

Rather than sitting silently, I'd read them all a story together and then all lie in the dark to go to sleep, which could include the projection show if you need to be feeding a baby?

I do this with similar ages fairly regularly. You’re right to do the bath-time together.

Let the 4 year old do her own pyjamas etc whilst you get the twins ready to sleep.

Then, either encourage her to play quietly in her room while you do the babies, or sit in silence with you. She may even be able to take on some of the Pat shush.

To be honest I just let my oldest watch tv or have iPad time while I’m doing the younger ones bedtime. Keeps him quiet and still and then I can do his bedtime story after. So that’s our routine.