one-on-one time

[hatterselfamerrymerrychristmas]

DDs are four and a half and two and a half. they share a room and go to bed at the same time - it only takes one adult - they each chose a story, have it read, tucked up in bed. The other night we came home at about their bedtime and dd2 had fallen asleep in the car so was quickly plonked in bed. DD1 had her story on mine and Dh's bed - and it was SOOOOOO nice. She listened well, didn't muck about, was calm and lovely, - she really enjoyed it and I really enjoyed it - whereas normally it's all a bit of a chore. I know she loves any time she gets one-to-one, she's just relaxed and any perceived need to compete for attention disappears - she's a real chatty angel. But it's really hard to give her that time. DD2 responds well to it as well, but I don't think she quite yet needs it like dd1 does. Do you make space for this in your routines? I have wondered whether to have different bed times?

You could have different bedtimes and perhaps you and DH could take it in turns as well ... sounds like a great idea to me

God hatter, know exactly what you mean. When D(HA)H takes one of them off eg swimming, when the other dd doesn't want to go, it's SOOOO nice having a one to one with the other. Not much help, but I just wanted to say I know what you mean.

i think different bed times is a must,DD1 would benifit from it a lot and so would you and Dh as you get to spend special time with her,it would make her feel more "grown up" too,which helps when you need her to help you teach DD2 things by showing her the way grown up girls do things!

I posted something very similar. My children are 4 1/2 & 16 months & i also find it a real struggle to give my ds1 the attention he requires. dd2 gets lots when he is at nursery & will get loads more when he starts school in jan but it makes me sad to think he is often left 'to get on with it' as dd2 takes up most of my time. Different bedtimes sounds great!!