https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 09:30:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872801 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 08:19:05 +0000 brownepiano 2872801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My two aren't twins (2.75 and 5) but they definitely fuel each other and distract each other since they are both getting ready in the same bathroom. If one or the other is being really slow or not sitting we will put one to bed first with no singing or story and continue with the other one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872740 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 19:18:41 +0000 meadow 2872740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: so neat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872739 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 19:18:21 +0000 meadow 2872739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Starfish: not that I'm glad to hear others in a similar boat it makes me feel better that I didn't do something entirely wrong to get here...hah.</p> <p>My two definitely fuel each other!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872646 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 08:24:21 +0000 Mrs. Starfish 2872646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've read all of these responses with interest because I'm also struggling with bedtime for two 2.75 year olds. I don't have any great advice but I just wanted to chime in and let you know that you're definitely not alone! Sometimes I also feel like twins just makes the process even more frustrating - there are many nights when one of my girls will be cooperating and the other isn't and then we fall into chaos as the other one inevitably gets frustrated that her sister is interrupting the flow of bedtime. Argh! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872634 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 06:19:55 +0000 Adira 2872634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely threaten and follow through with losing parts of the routine (specifically reading books or singing songs). A couple nights of losing out on part of the routine (and lots of crying and my holding stern) seems to help whip them back into shape (at least for a few days!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872616 Sun, 17 Feb 2019 21:25:40 +0000 DesertDreams88 2872616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>[attach=5393/19/pn3o2s.600x291.15504567686402281603267494906096.jpg]</p> <p> The 1st one is supposed to be " clean up toys" but that got ripped before we put it in the frame. We play the clean up song on our phones for about 5 minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872590 Sun, 17 Feb 2019 19:37:12 +0000 meadow 2872590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: thanks! Yeah when we are both home we do bedtime routine together. He misses bedtime once a week or once every two weeks so I only implement routines I can do solo for those nights he is late at work or hits roo much traffic.</p> <p>By song/chant book.. does a boyton book count? That's what we use.... so its relatively short in the scheme of books.</p> <p>@DesertDreams88: wow! I like the visual idea.</p> <p>@Iced Tea: that's intense!!! Impressive :high5: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872578 Sun, 17 Feb 2019 18:31:09 +0000 DesertDreams88 2872578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't have time to read the other responses but just saying this was our exact experience now and we finally have been turning a corner at each 3. We typed out a visual schedule for him with pictures and we use that to go through the 7 steps to bedtime. After each stop we congratulate him and give high fives, any as a pretty good attitude about it. We also dropped his nap at exactly age 3 and while that is hard sometimes during the day time, it made bedtime so much smoother and 2 hours earlier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872531 Sun, 17 Feb 2019 13:53:15 +0000 Iced Tea 2872531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At our house book time is at a specific time and place. If she’s running behind on the evening routine, I let her know that it’s cutting into book time. If she fools around and misses it, then she has to go to bed without it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872515 Sun, 17 Feb 2019 13:00:36 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2872515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: yeah I think bath can go any which way.. Bedtime can be chaos around here too. But mostly it's in the range of normal so I don't think it's something I need to try to change. My one year old mostly wanders around during story time, maaaaybe will read a board book with me, and my three and six year olds have outgrown that problem but my three year old can be a bit of a challenge to get him on task with getting dressed and all that. </p> <p>Something you might try at this age is doing a song/chant type of book instead, just keep it at a slower pace. Or just shorten the books you're using to where they don't get much of a chance to run around. Or if your husband and yourself are both home you could even maybe separate bedtime although I wouldn't want them getting used to that personally. Or read them a book while they're in the bath (but warn them of the change first.) </p> <p>Or just simply say sit down nicely/however you describe it to them if you want a bedtime story. If you don't sit down we'll just sing and go to sleep, and then follow through. Bet it doesn't take too many times doing that before they get it.</p> <p>If nothing else and at all possible you may want to rotate responsibilities so you at least get a break from it! </p> <p>Hope it improves. I'm sure we all go through this as moms but you have it x 2...BUT they will outgrow it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872511 Sun, 17 Feb 2019 12:37:43 +0000 meadow 2872511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: we do bath every other night after dinner and before diapers/pjs. Makes no difference on those night :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872499 Sun, 17 Feb 2019 10:42:31 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2872499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: we do bath/shower befor e so that maybe is what helps calm the kids but 1) yes we have taken away bedtime story, reluctantly, when one or two kids just wasn't listening at all, and yes it worked, and 2) any kind of activity encouraging running jumping dancing etc would totally just rile my kids up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872437 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 19:44:03 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2872437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll be the dissenter here. When O went through this phase, that kind of activity TOTALLY backfired. In fact, it was even worse when we tried to do it when we had two toddlers at once. I'm sure different joa respond differently, but it doesn't work for her. She's much better now and I'm not really sure why except just the passage of time. What helped during that phase was minimal stimulation and even minimal talking. So bath, quick stories, quiet voices and right to bed. And literally we didn't take our hands off of her the whole time. When she's tired/crazy she doesn't respond to verbal instruction much, so we just kind of guide her around gently without saying much. Granted, she has trauma and sensory interaction issues, so is not super typical. But that's what works for us. Good luck! It's so frustrating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872431 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 19:18:38 +0000 meadow 2872431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all.......I always thought a get thid wiggles out activity would rile them up.....but I guess that's what they do at school before a sitting activity basically.......worth a try!</p> <p>Also glad to hear that people have taken away story and send quick results. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872407 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 16:35:45 +0000 ALV91711 2872407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Around that age during pjs we’d do a silly game or dance to get his wiggles out and that made the rest of bed time easier. Although not always easy or perfect. I’ve taken away story time before and usually only have to for one night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872394 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:38:20 +0000 Mrs. Pajamas 2872394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cam: love all of these ideas. Get your wiggles out can be super fun part of the routine with music, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872393 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:37:26 +0000 cam 2872393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have two things I would try. One would be when you geg into their room you could have 1 minute (timed) for them to get their wiggles out, jump and shake around. Then I would have a designated spot to sit, like a cushion for each or a blanket for all of you or whatever. If their bums aren't in the right spot then no book/song. I often have to threaten no books for our 4 yo, it usually works to get him moving but I do follow through if not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872392 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:37:26 +0000 Mrs. Pajamas 2872392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We often take away storytime for bad behavior--it is one of the few "privelages" a kid that age has! It generally works. We recently had major bedtime battles and did a sticker chart for my 4yo DD. I was incredibly dubious and always thought they were stupid but omg it worked immediately. I can definitely sympathize with how frustrating it is especially since bedtime can be so sweet for everyone. It's a phase, remember that! You're doing a great job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872390 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:27:41 +0000 crazydoglady 2872390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just a thought...could you do the bedtime and song while they are already in their cribs? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872388 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:18:05 +0000 catgirl 2872388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will take away parts of the routine if she isn't listening. We don't do empty threats so she learned pretty quickly that we will actually follow through if we say we are taking away a story or a song. Our normal routine is two books and two songs, so we start by taking away one book. If she doesn't start listening then we move on to one song. These things can only be taken away during the bedtime process - we don't take them away during the day or for reasons unrelated to bedtime. </p> <p>I felt really guilty taking books away because I think reading is so important BUT we read a ton during the day so I decided it was okay. I think we started at 2.5 or so, and now at 4 she doesn't have them taken away very often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872385 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:11:09 +0000 bhbee 2872385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oof I hope it’s temporary but could be the lead up to 3 ... often a trying year ...</p> <p>Yes we threaten (and follow through) on nixing bedtime routine. I don’t know that it will fix the problem but if it makes you less crazy that is a win to me. Maybe you can just say “we’ll read stories when you’re calm” and if that’s after wakeup, or another time of day, ok. Or not sure your setup but you could try reading while they are in the cribs? My middle kid just gets insane when he’s tired and if it gets to that point it just needs to shut down for the night and redo. Another thing I sometimes do is turn the lights off and tell him a story. He loves that and it can be calming. Sorry for the rambling just some ideas! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872383 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:05:48 +0000 wrkbrk 2872383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: Sounds like my house but I only have one toddler! I’d do exactly what you suggest - tell them only babies who sit nicely and quietly get the story and song privileges. You will have to follow through - but I bet 2 nights of no story or song and they’ll get it!! Option 2 - sticker chart. That solves 99% of our problems (though I fully recognize it is bribery)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hate-bedtime-1#post-2872377 Sat, 16 Feb 2019 13:02:56 +0000 meadow 2872377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bedtime used to be super sweet. At 2.75 yo I am hating it most days. Our routine: finish dinner, go to the bathroom where the twins potty, put on night diapers, pjs, teeth. Then we go to their room, read one story, sing twinkle twinkle and into their cribs - good night, turn on 15 min soft song thst comes from their monitor and walk out. This routine began at 15/16 mo so nothing new.</p> <p>At some point the logistics changed from reading the story sitting together on the floor and holding the kids on our shoulders while we sang to absolute chaos. Gigglefest full of running around the room, not sitting still, changing the spot the want to sit 8 billion times, refusing to be held and lying on the floor pestering eachother. It is a huge frustration to me and I want to say &amp; follow through with " no more story or twinkle" if you dont sit nicely. I dont do do empty threats so I'm careful with my words.</p> <p>Anyone been here? Advice on how to get them to calm the eff down? Anyone "take away" the routine for 1 or more says and have kids respond?</p> <p>Ice tried having a chat before leaving the bathroom about my expectations but that hasn't been terribly successful :sad: </p> <p>Pulling my hair out! :( </p>