https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 21 Jun 2026 22:45:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-bedtime-routine#post-2317875 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 13:35:34 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2317875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD1: Read a book in bed, then turn out lights and lay down with her. Then, tell her a story, sing her a song, and say prayers while tickling her back. Then we leave. She whines a bit, but lately has been putting herself down without too much fuss. (We used to have to lay with her for an hour!)</p> <p>DD2: Book, lights out in room, rock in glider while listening to lullabies on Pandora. Put in bed once she's drowsy. Keep Pandora playing in her room until she's out cold.</p> <p>DD3: Change diaper, nurse, swaddle, put in bed. Though, it doesn't really matter much now since she's still up every 2 hours! Bedtime never really "feels" like bedtime for her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-bedtime-routine#post-2317820 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 13:07:28 +0000 LilSprinkles 2317820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We start around 7, for a 7:30 bedtime (unless it is bath night, then we start around 6:30). Put on pajamas, brush teeth, read at least two stories, use the restroom, hugs and kisses to other parent, lights off and lay in bed while we say our prayers and then I sing a few songs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-bedtime-routine#post-2317808 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 13:03:23 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 2317808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do what @mrbee: does. Consistency is key. Chloe struggles with change and transition, so making sure she knows exactly what is happening and when is key! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-bedtime-routine#post-2317792 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:58:20 +0000 ShootingStar 2317792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we're done reading stories I tell DS it's time to get in bed. He usually cooperates, but if he doesn't I threaten to leave the room. Then we turn off the lights and I lay in bed with him and sing him a couple songs and then I leave. Sometimes he cries, sometimes I just get a sad, "Mommy..." and sometimes he's fine with it. </p> <p>I've come to realize that it doesn't help anything if I try to do more than a couple books and a couple songs. The more I try to get him to sleep, the longer the whole process takes. He doesn't fall asleep with me any more, he doesn't really get more tired if I do more for him. So lately I try to do the minimum and then leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-bedtime-routine#post-2317776 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:50:23 +0000 lovehoneybee 2317776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just tell him from the start "Two books" (always the same two, unless it's the weekend, then he gets three). If he argues or whines I tell him "If you keep whining we're not reading any books" (and stick to it). If he throws a fit about that, I tell him that he wasn't acting like a big boy and only big boys get to read stories to mommy, and maybe tomorrow he'll get to read. </p> <p>As for any additional whining/crying, I just stay firm about it being bedtime. I give him lots of love before I leave, but I've left his room with him crying more than once. It never lasts more than a few minutes after I close the door (although I do check if he's screaming after 10 minutes, because usually he's gotten his foot stuck in the slats or something...) but when I go in I'm very no-nonsense (unless his foot is actually stuck, then I kiss it). No extra attention, just "It's bedtime now. Goodnight." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-bedtime-routine#post-2317762 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:45:36 +0000 Alba4 2317762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are extremely consistent. Bath, brush teeth, pajamas, read 2 books. He closes the door, kisses daddy, then mommy, and then we sing his 2 favorite songs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-bedtime-routine#post-2317673 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:03:58 +0000 mrbee 2317673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I try and state how many books are left before and after each book we read. "Ok this is our first book, and then we will read two more." "Ok this is our second book, we'll read this one and then we'll read one more." "Ok this is our third book, this is the last one, ok?" I wait until she agrees before I start reading!</p> <p>Usually that helps with the book begging, but lately she's been asking for four books! I'm really careful to never do that though, because then I'd never hear the end of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-bedtime-routine#post-2317608 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 mediagirl 2317608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bedtime has become a struggle since we got back from vacation. Our lo has been very needy at bedtime and while we have a 7:30 bedtime for her (she is in her bed at 7:30) we're not getting out of there until 8:15 without screams and tears and meltdowns. </p> <p>What's your bedtime routine and any tips for how to get back to a normal bedtime routine? It's always "read me one more book daddy." "I need you, mommy" "Tell me a story from your head, mommy". I'd love to, kid but I also have things to do before work tomorrow!! </p>