what is your bedtime routine for your toddler and how long does it take?

[drivingmisscrazy]

we seem to be very hit or miss with DD (20mo); sometimes she goes off no problem at all, other times (all too often) it involves over an hour of wailing, resettling, crying etc. I can't really see any pattern to it - bedtime routine almost always the same: bath, milk, stories, bed. She usually has a nap of about 45 minutes after lunch. The endless nights of crying and not settling are starting to get us down a bit.

what do you do?

I am a nanny with my 2 year old it's

6.30 bath time - including hair wash etc
6.45 story time - gets 2 stories and a hug
7ish Sleep time - after stories he's laid down, given a kiss and then I turn off the light and go downstairs.

After 7ish I don't hear a peep out of him unless he's ill until 7am.

For his mum/grandparents it's a whole different kettle of fish

that sounds very similar apart from the not hearing a peep out of him until 7am part! why do you think it's different with his parents, then?

I have a two year old and its:

Cup of warm milk
Upstairs
Tidy up bedroom
Brush teeth
(every other day) bath
Stories
Bed

Takes about 30/40mins

Oh and a nap every other day in daytime after lunch.

I think I meant, how long does it take for yours to go to sleep once they're actually in bed? the pre-bed routine is not the problem (at least I don't think so) but the hours of messing and resultant parental stress are...

With his mum it can take between 20 mins - 1hour! I think because he gets a reaction! Ie his mum goes up, talks to him etc, deals with whatever drama - ie needs his blanket put on properly, needs a hug/kiss/toilet/toy etc.

DD is 21 months, we watch ITNG, then chase her around the house while she gets her jammies on and brushes teeth. Then into her bedroom for milk and one story, tuck her in and say goodnight. Don't hear a peep until morning generally.

hmm. the issue here is the inconsistency - she's been wailing on and off tonight for an hour and a half, despite nothing significant being different in her day...it's just so unpredictable