How do you juggle multiple bedtimes?
I answered this question during the original run of this series and much of what I said remains the same, but as my kids have gotten older we've made slight changes. (Click here to read what I said then.)
Since my 3-year-old and 5-year-old no longer nap, they are ready for bed by 7:00-7:30 pm. They brush their teeth, get a drink of water, and sit on their beds while I make the rounds. I usually take a few minutes to read Alaine a story, talk to her about her day, or discuss what is coming up tomorrow She also likes me to lay out her clothes for the next day. (She has a touch of OCD like her Mama.) Then I move on to Ben's room. He reads aloud to me for about 5 minutes before I turn out the lights. Both kids listen to music as they fall asleep.
My older kids (ages 7, 9, and 11) aren't ready to sleep at 7 pm, but we need quiet in the house so as not to disturb the younger two. Since Alaine occupies the girls' room and Ben occupies the boys' room, the older kids are allowed to hang out in the master bedroom after 7. They each read for 20 minutes and then they rotate nights choosing an audio book. While listening, they are allowed to look at books, draw, or color, but no playing or loud talking is allowed. When they finish a disc of their audio book, they have to straighten the room and head to their own bedrooms-- usually around 9 pm.
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My How Do You...? series is back for a limited time. I'm in need of some fun ideas for topics. What do you want to know? Leave a comment here or on my Facebook page.
In the meantime, you can browse the archived index of past topics.
In the meantime, you can browse the archived index of past topics.
