Welcome to our new forum! All existing NW Cryobank forum users will need to reset their passwords. Click forgot password and enter your email address to receive the link. Email us at info@nwcryobank.com with any questions.
NW Cryobank community boards and sibling connect groups will no longer be available after December 20th, 2023.
Options
What does your bedtime routine look like with more than one child?
Kari
Posts: 1,765
I'm curious how you put the kids to bed when you're a single parent (or putting them to bed solo) and you have more than one child. I've tried putting both to bed at the same, putting one to bed while trying to quietly occupy the other one, and putting one to bed while the other one is willingly or unwillingly in another room. What works for you?
What I've been trying is to bathe both kids but take Juliet out first and get her into her PJs. Then I get Justin out of the tub and dressed. Justin gets his milk and a tv show while I nurse Juliet right next to him. She falls asleep, and I try to transition her to the crib (often unsuccessfully). Then Justin and I have some time to cuddle and read books (with Juliet if she didn't stay asleep) for about 30 minutes, and then brush teeth and get a nighttime diaper and tucked into bed. Often Juliet is up during this time, so then I have to nurse her to sleep again while Justin hangs over the edge of the bed because he feels left out and keeps talking, keeping Juliet awake. She has to fall asleep first, then me, and then Justin will sleep . . . which leaves me no time to myself in the evening.
In a perfect world, I'd like to have Juliet asleep at 6:30, Justin at 7:00, and go to bed at 8:00 myself; but I haven't quite figured out a routine that works to do this and could use some advice. Tonight Juliet was almost asleep at 6:15 when Justin screamed near her face, "I think she's waking up, Mom!" (only the 5th time he's done that today) so she woke up. If I could put them to bed separately, I don't think we'd have this problem, but Justin gets jealous if I ask him to play in a different room and cries and carries on so she can't sleep through his tantrums. And if he stays in the room, he wakes her up.
What I've been trying is to bathe both kids but take Juliet out first and get her into her PJs. Then I get Justin out of the tub and dressed. Justin gets his milk and a tv show while I nurse Juliet right next to him. She falls asleep, and I try to transition her to the crib (often unsuccessfully). Then Justin and I have some time to cuddle and read books (with Juliet if she didn't stay asleep) for about 30 minutes, and then brush teeth and get a nighttime diaper and tucked into bed. Often Juliet is up during this time, so then I have to nurse her to sleep again while Justin hangs over the edge of the bed because he feels left out and keeps talking, keeping Juliet awake. She has to fall asleep first, then me, and then Justin will sleep . . . which leaves me no time to myself in the evening.
In a perfect world, I'd like to have Juliet asleep at 6:30, Justin at 7:00, and go to bed at 8:00 myself; but I haven't quite figured out a routine that works to do this and could use some advice. Tonight Juliet was almost asleep at 6:15 when Justin screamed near her face, "I think she's waking up, Mom!" (only the 5th time he's done that today) so she woke up. If I could put them to bed separately, I don't think we'd have this problem, but Justin gets jealous if I ask him to play in a different room and cries and carries on so she can't sleep through his tantrums. And if he stays in the room, he wakes her up.
0
Comments
The baby temporarily goes in his crib whether awake or asleep.
I help Lilianna potty, brush her teeth, and put her diaper/pajamas on. Then she goes to bed with a simple hug and kiss. I turn off the light, put up the baby gate in her doorway, and she's done for the night. Sometimes she's asleep in 5 minutes, sometimes it takes her an hour. As long as she stays in her room, I try not to micromanage the situation.
Once she's down, I get the baby and take him back to my room, and he chills on my bed while I get ready for bed. Once I'm in bed I either interact with him if he's awake, or I nurse him to sleep. And, unless The Bachelor is on, my light is usually off by 8:30pm.
Oh, and regarding baths .... the baby only get's bathed twice per week, and L and I typically shower together right after dinner. So, bathing really isn't even a part of our bedtime routine.
lol.this is exactly how it is at my home it goes a little smoother if i can get adri into a movie in another room or very quietly playing her inno tab (with headphones) in her toddler bed next to my bed.