https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 02 May 2026 05:34:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2405212 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 22:31:25 +0000 Andrea 2405212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whoever does it, does it all. I do it during the week since DH isn't home and he does it on the weekends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2405118 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 21:24:33 +0000 Bao 2405118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! Talked to DH and we agreed to split the days, I will do at least the 2 days that he works at night (obviously) and possibly another and he will do the rest. We will see how it goes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2405071 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 20:42:59 +0000 Boogs 2405071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When it's just me, I do it all. On the days DH is home, he does bath while I clean up from dinner. Then we both put the kids down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404945 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 19:27:29 +0000 sandy 2404945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>if DH is home I will go up and start running her bath while he plays with her downstairs, tidies the playroom and gets her vitamins. While the bath is running I'll put away laundry or just catch up on emails/texts/IG/HB. Then I usually do bath, brushing teeth and pjs. Then DH takes over and does bedtime stories while I usually take a break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404934 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 19:20:31 +0000 JenGirl 2404934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We take turns. So last night my husband did bedtime and tonight I'll do bedtime. We don't always exactly alternate and I probably do a bit more, but that's okay. Bedtime routine is turn off lights, change diaper while singing songs, into sleep sac, white noise, feeding (I breastfeed, hubby does a bottle), burp, into crib. Can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 45. Up to 2 hours on a bad night and in that case we may call in the other when we reach our whit's end. Meanwhile, the other cleans up or relaxes. I often shower or pump if hubs is doing bedtime. I like it because we both get one-on-one time and cuddles but both also get some free time. And we don't do baths with bedtime because we do baths together and not every night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404923 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 19:12:44 +0000 cam 2404923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If we're both home, DW puts him to bed and I do some other job, usually walking the dog or cleaning up the kitchen. There are a few times I just sit down if it's been a hard day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404912 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 19:05:22 +0000 SleepyMonkey 2404912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dh gives dd2 a bath and gets her into her pjs and then I nurse and put her down while he hangs out with dd1. Then he gives dd1 a bath or I take a shower with her, he gets her ready for bed and reads to her and we both say goodnight. Sometimes I help with dd1's routine but usually I clean up in the kitchen so we can both relax after the kids are in bed. It works well for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404896 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 18:51:13 +0000 travelgirl1 2404896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do everything for the baby (diaper change,bath if needed, pjs and putting to sleep) while DH baths DD and gives her a snack. Often he does story too. Teeth and toilet either of us could do, depending on the night, and then I help her go to sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404877 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 18:37:28 +0000 lemondrop 2404877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends on the night, we only do baths when we are both home. We alternate nights most of the time and I usually work 2 or so nights a week, so he does bedtimes then. When we can, we'll gang up on them, brush their teeth and get pj's on and herded into the bedroom for reading then the bedtime parent takes over. </p> <p>Usually I cook and he does the dishes as our main evening chores. I'll do laundry here and there during the week, but my oldest has a fit when I'm home and skip bedtime, so usually I'll fold and put away his laundry so I'm present during reading time. Whoever is not reading does a toy sweep during the bedtime festivities unless I'm working that night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404858 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 18:06:45 +0000 catomd00 2404858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We trade off night or tag team different duties It really depends on what else we have going on, Whose not feeling it that night, etc. if he's doing bedtime I'm usually doing dishes and prepping for the next day, now that I'm pregnant I also guilt free take a shower and rest! If I'm doing bedtime, DH is usually relaxing. Our routine isn't that long though. It's basically Jammie's, books or an episode of Mickey, teeth, dump her in her crib and shut the door. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404824 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 17:28:09 +0000 Ree723 2404824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do solo bedtime duty every single week night as DH doesn't get home until after their bedtime. On bath nights (we don't do bath every night), the girls get their bath together and then I take DD2 out and get her ready for bed whilst DD1 plays a while longer. Once DD2 is ready for bed, I get DD1 out of the bath and repeat the process.</p> <p>Once both girls are ready for bed, DD1 goes into her room to play quietly whilst I read DD2 stories, snuggle and rock her for a little bit before putting her down (about a 20 minute process). Once she's down, I repeat the process with DD1 - reading stories and snuggling with her in bed for 10 or 15 minutes. </p> <p>On bath nights, the whole process takes about an hour and a half, on non-bath nights, it's about an hour. And then I go downstairs, clean the kitchen from the girls' dinner, clean the playroom, and then get started on our dinner....and then DH arrives home! Not going to lie, it sucks a lot of the time....</p> <p>ETA: the girls are 3.5 yrs and almost 2 yrs old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404822 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 17:26:32 +0000 SweetCaroline 2404822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH picks DD up from daycare, so usually gets at least an extra hour with her so I almost always do bedtime. On the weekends he will often take bedtime if I have done the majority of child card during the day. (This is all just habit and it works)</p> <p>Usually the parent not doing bedtime is relaxing quietly (computer time, phone,TV, etc.). If not that, they are downstairs or outside doing chores. No kitchen chores because our house is small and we rock in the living room chair next to the kitchen. That stinks, since usually dinner is waiting to be cleaned up!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404790 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 16:54:26 +0000 lawbee11 2404790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We take turns. But the person not doing bedtime doesn't really get a break...if DH does bedtime I clean the kitchen and tidy up around the house and if I do bedtime he does the chores. That way we get it done quicker and can both relax once LO is in bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404779 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 16:49:58 +0000 Tanjowen 2404779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I solo parent 4 nights of the week, so the first night DH is home, he does it all solo. The next 2 nights I usually do bath while he cleans up dinner, and then he comes upstairs and puts LO to bed while I grab a glass of wine and change into comfy pants. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404740 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:55:55 +0000 daniellemybelle 2404740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most nights I do the whole routine and DH will come up for part of it or at the very least to hug &amp; kiss LO good night. He'll usually be cleaning up the kitchen or relaxing.</p> <p>About once a week I will ask him to do bedtime so I can relax. I will usually sit and play on my phone. I will go up to say goodnight though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404734 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:48:31 +0000 AprilFool 2404734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I SAHM so DH does bedtime. He does bath, books and then I come up and we both say goodnight. This is the only time they get together during the day so I don't feel guilty about sitting out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404717 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:38:39 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2404717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH does bath time. I'll tidy or get ds's milk ready. I usually get him from the bath and put his pjs on. He sits between us while he has his milk and we both put him in his crib together (literally just say good night and zip up his sleep sack). </p> <p>Putting pjs on is the worst part. He squirms all over and runs away sometimes. Or sometimes fake cries. Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime/page/2#post-2404679 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:10:39 +0000 PawPrints 2404679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These days I'm usually doing the bedtime routine since nursing is part of the routine. It's a fairly short process, so DH just feeds the dogs and maybe does the beginning of dinner prep. I don't think it ever takes me more than 15 minutes to nurse her, change her, read a story, sing a lullaby, and put her down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404629 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 14:32:17 +0000 sera_87 2404629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>SO does pretty much all of it. He finishes up dinner with them while I get the jammies out and run the bath water, then he bathes them together while I prep bottles and get started on dishes; he dresses lo2 and puts him down while I brush lo1's teeth and give him a quick snuggle.</p> <p>Then depending on the night - one of us tackles the dining room and living room floors and the other the dishes, and then we collapse in a heap on the couch. ;)</p> <p>Most nights I run a load of laundry after dinner as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404607 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 14:19:00 +0000 Finfan 2404607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So far (our baby is only 8 weeks) we have each taken a child separately. I usually have the baby and then clean up when she is asleep. DH usually takes our 3.5 year old. She has been having trouble with the transition so I try to join them when the dishwasher is running. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404580 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 14:04:29 +0000 nana87 2404580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>if we're both home we split it, but we both aren't usually doing it at the same time. so like, I'll do bath, then dh dries her and puts on her jammies and brsuhes hair, then i nurse her, and if she doesn't fall asleep nursing then he rocks her/puts her in the crib and pats her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404574 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 14:00:14 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2404574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do it by myself because I never know when DH will be home and don't want to depend on him to get it done when he can't always be there. I have it down to a science. </p> <p>Turn on bath water, bring DD2 to bathroom and set up with a toy on the floor, plug tub. Grab DD1, get her naked and in tub. Get DD2 naked and in tub. Bathe DD2/let her play a bit. Dry off, diaper and dress/brush teeth and hair for DD2. Bathe DD1, dry her off and diaper her. Bring DD2 to her room to nurse, read books, sing songs and lay her down. DD1 with either watch TV, play with DH or fiddle around in DD2's room (or a combo of all 3). After DD2 IS in bed we brush DD1's teeth and hair. Then she tells DH goodnight if he's home. Then we go to her room, put on pjs, read a few books, sing a few songs and put her to bed. That's been our routine for about 6 months now. If DH is home he usually picks up the toys in the livingroom while I do all this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404555 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:43:31 +0000 tinyperson 2404555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We split routine duties - the one not doing the particular part of bedtime is usually folding laundry or something - i usually grab a quick shower while they're reading stories so I can just dry once lights are out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404501 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:08:39 +0000 Kemma 2404501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both my LO's nurse before bed so I've always done the actual bedtime but we split the bedtime prep such as bathing and teeth brushing etc. DH usually does the evening tidy up while I'm occupied with the kids but he also cleans up because I've done the cooking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404487 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 12:57:22 +0000 Grace 2404487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only do bath every second day, and we alternate who does it. Then I get her PJ's on, DH brushes her teeth and does stories/bed. I make next days lunch/clean up toys/fold laundry while he's doing that. We've never done bedtime together. I think that would rile her up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404479 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 12:50:38 +0000 Ginabean3 2404479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH does bath/bedtime for DD1 and I do it for DD2! It seems to work out well that way! (DD2 isn't big enough to take a bath in the big tub with DD1 but when she is, DH will do both). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404468 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 12:40:34 +0000 BKCaribBaby 2404468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO prefer me to do bedtime, and I do it most nights during the week because DH works long hours. If he is home, he does things like run the bath and get the bathroom ready for her bath, pick out pajamas and socks, make sure that her shades are drawns, turns on her fan, humidifier and white noise machine, etc., and brings things to me that I might need to get her ready. Even though I do bedtime, she still wants him to help her brush her teeth. Go figure... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404466 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 12:36:56 +0000 Astro Bee 2404466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we were nursing to sleep (which wpuld sometimes take forever) I would usually have DH do the diaper change and put his pyjamas on, and ask him to read a book or two. Then I'd take over. DH would usually watch tv or surf the net during that time. You can probably tell I resented this, since there was plenty of cleaning up to do. We've just switched things up, and we now share putting him down to sleep. Hopefully, when we are home again things will still be on equal footing. After being home with him all day, I really need some down time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404463 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 12:32:35 +0000 ShootingStar 2404463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH does bath time every night. We used to switch off for who did stories and stuff, but lately he mostly does it. DS gets really upset when I try to leave him, so sometimes it's just easier for DH. Plus, I do mornings solo so I don't think it's too unfair for him to take the bulk of the evening stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-only-one-parent-does-bedtime#post-2404446 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 12:24:54 +0000 kodybear 2404446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We both do bath time and get them ready together but dh puts the younger one to sleep first while I read to the older one and brush her teeth and take her potty after. Since he's done first he takes the dogs on a walk while I'm finishing up. So it's nice not to worry about that </p>