Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Bedtime Routine

With the start of the new school year and with Dylan now having to go to school all day, I thought we needed a new bedtime routine. Dave and I are both pretty relaxed about bed times and during the summer it would sometimes be close to 10 before the kiddos were out. Of course we also didn't have to get up the next morning and I love sleeping in so this really worked well! However, I do know that considering my kids have to get up around 5:45 for school that staying up till 10 is no longer an option, that and also that fact that when I'm in school I rarely stay up past 9 myself!! So our plan is to begin bedtime stuff around 7:45 such as pj's, brushing teeth, and bathroom. I then get in Zoe's little toddler bed with her and read one or two books. Meanwhile Dylan hops in our bed with Dave where they review any papers from school (usually there is a little paper book that Dylan reads) and then Dave reads a chapter from Harry Potter. When I'm finished with Zoe I come join them to listen to the read aloud and will sometimes walk on the treadmill (yes, it is in our bedroom). Dylan is then usually in bed by 8:30. So far it seems to be working really well. No matter what time Dylan goes to bed he is always a cheery riser and ready for the day to begin. Zoe and I on the other hand would prefer you not talk or look at us for at least the first hour and that is pushing it. Still she seems to be adjusting okay and I feel good knowing she is getting at least 10 hours of sleep.


So as I was trying to set up this routine I started wondering what other families do for their bedtimes routine...so spill the beans. What does your bedtime routine look like??

2 comments:

  1. We are similar - we are pretty lazy in the summer and stay up later, but once school starts - a routine is needed. We both work full-time so - once we are all home, Dominic does his homework while hubby cooks dinner. I feed Delphine and help Dominic with homework. We eat, then the kids take a bath and then we have bedtime stories and Dominic is in bed by 8:00. Otherwise, he is a mess the next day.

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  2. Not so lazy in the summer but that is prob. cause Abe is so young still. But we try to eat dinner between 6-6:30. Abe and Michael play while I clean up. then I join in for a while. sometimes we do bath time around 7:30 or so. Ususally a bottle comes between 8 - 8:15 and then in bed by 8:30. He doesn't get up until 7:20 or so in the mornings. I leave the house around 7:30 - day care feeds him breakfast. he takes a good 2 + hour nap to make up for the lack at night. The kid LOVES to sleep!

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Go ahead...tell me like it is!

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