Last night, from the time we began the bedtime routine to the time of lights out, it was an hour, and that was with no bath!
We did:
wash hands and face at the sink
brush teeth
put on jammies and night diaper
drink bedtime milk
cuddle/read with dad
An hour! It's way too long and he's tired, which results in a burst of energy. Tips, ideas, what can we do ?
squash / 13208 posts
What's taking so long? The milk/book part?
We put on pjs about 30 mins before bed (if its not a bath night). At 7pm they brush teeth and wash hands and use the potty and we head upstairs. I take DS and DH takes DD - we read a few books and lights are out NLT 7:30pm - depending on the book its 7:20!
We use to have DD eat her snack and drink while DH read books and it added way too much time to the bedtime routine - so now they get their last drink/snack at 645pm.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
I feel you! We do a lot of the routine part and then have quiet time but from the time we are reading books, turning out the light, saying prayers and a story, and actually falling asleep its still almost 45 minutes.
papaya / 10560 posts
On a no bath night, we just do Pjs and I give him a rubdown with a washcloth, brush teeth. Two books, 3 if they're short and off to bed. 30 mins tops.
honeydew / 7488 posts
Is it possible to cut out the bedtime milk? Since he's already brushed his teeth anyway? We also get into pj's immediately after dinner (if no bath), even if they play for a while afterward..
nectarine / 2964 posts
I want to know what is taking that long too... without bath! hahaha!
I can totally relate. Everyone's life would be so much easier if LO just corporate. After dinner (6:30), everything is a "no no no" until bedtime at 7:30.
Our routine from 6:30-7:30:
- a bit of play time
- set bath (he won't let me go set bath)
- potty time where we read books (he won't want to do potty)
- bath (he won't want to get up from potty to bath, then he doesn't want to get out from bath)
- jammies and diapers (he runs around naked)
- milk and read stories ("no")
- teeth brushing / 2-minute "elmo video" time (he wants to watch cookie monster and ernie too. grr)
- read more books (he wants to read an infinite # of books)
bedtime
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
Everything takes forever, and all of the transitions just add more time. Hand/face washing takes at least 10 minutes, teeth another 10...he HAS to do it himself, he will not accept me doing it for him.
Maybe I should cut out the bedtime milk.
blogger / pomegranate / 3044 posts
@looch: we're right there with you, except we also sing songs before bed, and he was asking for like 10 different songs every night! now he gets three tops. We cut out the bedtime milk also, and on bath nights brush teeth before leaving the bathroom, because like you guys, transitions (especially to a different room) take for-freaking-ever.
nectarine / 2115 posts
How old is your kiddo? I would remove bedtime milk. If he is a little older you might consider having a set time limit to get the bedtime prep done, and then have reading time dependent on that. For every minute you go over the time limit that is one less minute spent on reading time.
One of the children I nannied for insisted on doing everything herself. One thing that worked for me was to share the task: she got to brush her teeth while I counted to 10 and then I got to brush her teeth. Also, if picking out books is a time-drainer, have him choose his book(s) before you start the routine.
pineapple / 12566 posts
Our routine is maybe 20-30min. After dinner DS goes directly to the bathroom for a shower/bath. Showers can be done in less than 5min and we let baths linger up to 10. We brush his teeth and he's ok with it. Then pajamas and 2 books then into bed. Sometimes I have to yell to get things moving faster, but it's usually pretty quick and painless.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@mrsrain: he's 3. My husband is doing bedtime tonight, lets see what he clocks.
I think part of the problem is he doesn't get the concept of time yet, maybe an hourglass would help?
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
@looch: my son has responded really well to timers as a way of easing transitions and such!
pear / 1955 posts
I have no ideas to help. 
HOWEVER, I did see this article today, which totally reminds me of your post - at least you're not the only one?
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
We are having the same issue even though T is much younger. Lots of delaying putting on Jammie's and brushing teeth and I hate discipline before bed.
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