Initiating family bedtime reading- suggestions and routines/timings

[Frokni]

We are looking to start family bedtime reading. Both DDs (nearly 5 and 2) like reading with me and DH, on their own and together as Sisters - or as best they can of course.

Due to me and DH being in a rut with the routine we want to focus on doing it together. Usually one of us takes DD4 and the other DD2. I am going back to the gym, studying again, having time off to be SAHP after stint with depression due to work and non-DH/DD home-life issues so we want to move away from previous routine. We made a routine that worked but can easily fall apart. We want to tighten it up with concentrated reading time and less TV. Any suggestions on schedules, easing the routine in etc and recommended books would be fab!

FYI- we do baths 2/3 times a week so isn't a main component of bedtime anyway. Both girls are off by 8pm and sleep a solid 12 hours each.

The main reason for the change is their lack of ability to resettle at night, this is due in course to my husband and I waiting for both of them to fall asleep before we leave them for the night (i know, i know, not good!)- self settling has gone out the window.

Thanks and sorry for ramble x

Sorry, I'm a bit confused.

Are you saying you want to work your bedtime routine so one of you can do it, rather than two of you ?
or
Are you saying you all want to sit down and do a sort of "everyone in the family sitting and reading at the same time" session
or
Just generally asking about bedtime routines ?

don't overthink it.

No tv/screen time before bed

Choose book. Read book

Realised my post is super rambly!

Sitting down as a family and reading is what we want to achieve.

You're right @harrysmummy i an overthinking it. Just been so long since we have done a family routine. Defo overthink! Sorry x

Awww lovely, bedtime stories are still loved by my 12 and 10 year old. 4 year old has only just managed in the last few months to settle and listen rather than mess about. They get a bit silly at bedtime.
We all love the Julia Donaldson books. They are the right length for bedtime I think. At 2 and 4 dds adored Lynley Dodd books like Slinky Malinki. Dd1 could recite the whole book by age 5 and got housepoints at school for reciting it to the class. A love of books and reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. I love books and am very passionate about reading.
I agree with not over thinking. Maybe take them to the library and choose their own books for bedtime. Ds's my current favourite is Be Brave Little Penguin which we got from the library. Stickman is great as is Room on the Broom.

Thanks @Dtpeabody library books would diversify things a bit as my 4 year old has a few favs and tends to take over the book reading if she, like your DD, can recite them as they have been read soooo many times.

Thank you for your suggestions, and, we do have a few Lynley Dodd books so we should break them out again! Their fav at the mo is There's an Alien in Your Book! It's way too interactive for bed time and it's a library book so it's due to be returned. The Bear and the Piano remains a staple too.

Thanks x