How can I improve bedtime with two children sharing a room?

[Lottiefranks]

I have a 2 and 4 year old who share a bedroom and bedtime is getting to me - my two year old will not fall asleep in his cot, although he sleeps well once transferred. At bedtime he is up and down like a yo-yo. My 4 year old wants me to lay with her whilst she falls asleep and I’m just fed up with the whole thing. I have two months to get it sorted before my 4 year old starts school. They’re both going to bed too late because they won’t settle and I want my evenings back so I can do some chores and maybe sit for an hour before I go to bed. Usual routine goes dinner, bath, bottle/milk in bed with 20 mins of tv (usually a Julia Donaldson) - tv off - two books and maybe a song. What am I doing wrong that they just won’t settle. Before anyone asks - husband works nights so I manage bedtime solo.

Could you split them up at bedtime? Leave 4yo in your bed listening to an audiobook while you settle the 2yo. When 2yo is asleep, 4yo goes quietly into the bedroom and you lie with her for a bit.

Also, personally I'd move TV time to before bath time rather than after.

I'd ditch the tv time. It's too stimulating for bedtime.

Also, they shouldn't have a bottle. It will impact the development of the soft palate and emerging teeth. Its too much to change lots of things at the same time. Id ditch the tv first. I'd work on the bottle after. Swap the bottle for 360 cup and have it before teeth brushing so the sugar isn't sitting on their teeth all night.

When dc were that age we had to stop tv at least an hour before bed otherwise they would never settle.
Mine were the same age when we completely changed how we did bedtime as it was taking hours and ended up with us sat on the landing all night to stop them messing around. Our routine, which they loosely still follow now, but much later (even though they're now 12 and 14)
Was

Dinner 5. 30pm
Tv off 6pm
Chill out time (books, puzzles, colouring)
7pm supper (piece of toast and milk)
7.15pm story
7.30pm sleep

It took a couple of weeks to for it to become habit and it was really hard work but it did. It also really helped getting them outside for an hour before dinner on my days off.

The summer worked well as dc couldn't complain they were thirsty/hungry.

Ditch the tv before bedtime.
My two are 3 and 6 and share a room, we do dinner, bath, story, bed with an audio book on their yoto. I do have to sit with them for a bit until they are settled but they take turns to pick a story on the yoto each every night and look forward to it so I find they settle much quicker.
Once they are settled I leave the room and go do what I need to do and let them know I'll come and check on them when I'm done, usually by the time I've checked on them a couple of times they're fast asleep.

Honestly, I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Two young children sharing a room, plus managing bedtime on your own, is a lot for one person. It might just be a phase rather than a problem you've caused. I'd be tempted to keep the routine as calm and consistent as possible and try not to put too much pressure on yourself. I hope things settle before school starts and you get a bit of your evening back.