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Monday, January 21, 2019

Our Preschool Aged Bedtime Routine

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Last week, Lynn (from Disposition Motion, I love her, go check her out.) wrote out her child's bedtime routine. I read it and nodded my head to a lot of the things that she does just like I do with my girls. But it also made me think that I should share my girls bedtime routine. I know a lot of mama's out there who struggle with bedtime routines and getting their kids to go to sleep. So maybe sharing our way will help someone out. Isn't that what blogging is all about?

So this is a glimpse into two little four year olds evening and bedtime routine.

Dinner/After School

We usually get home from work and pre-school around 5:15 pm. After changing into more comfortable clothes (or princess dresses for the girls), I will start dinner. We usually eat between 5:30 and 6:30 depending on the day and the dish that I make. The girls usually play, read, or help their dad build a fire.

After Dinner

After dinner, I will clean up the kitchen and the girls will start a puzzle if it isn't bath night or they will get ready for their baths if it is. If is bath night (every other night), then we start baths around 6:30 or 7 pm. We try to let the girls bellies settle a bit before bath.

The girls will go to the bathroom before they get into the bath. And then I give the girls their bath which now consists of toys, body wash, shampoo and conditioner (conditioner every other time). They usually are in the bath for around 15 to 20 minutes. Then I get them out and Rory gets them dried off, dressed and their hair brushed. I clean up the bathroom and then get their tooth brushes ready. Once they are dressed, they brush their teeth, grab their blankets and then we go snuggle on the couch for a bit.

Bedtime

At 7:30 pm, we head into their room. They each pick out a book or two and then climb into their beds. They just sit on their beds and I sit on the floor and read to them. Once reading is done, we plug in their night light that projects the sun, ocean or solar system onto the ceiling and then turn on their time to wake clock. Lastly, we turn on the color portion of their diffuser (I use the diffuser portion when they are sick with essential oils). While turning everything on, we turn off the lights. We tuck the girls into bed with their babies and a chosen stuffed animal and sometimes one of their books we just read. Then we give each girl kisses and hugs and they tell us what they are going to dream about. Then we will sometimes cover their faces with their "tiny blankets". Finally, Rory leaves and I tell them goodnight, I love you, sweet dreams and see you when you wake up. The girls respond to each thing I say and then I leave the room closing their door so there is a 4 inch gap.

Now I should note that this works pretty much every night, but occasionally, the girls will get fussy, want their eyes covered again, say they are too hot, want their noses wiped or another excuse. Last week, we had one of those nights where we went into their rooms 8 times between 7:50 and 8:30. But that happens very rarely. Usually they are asleep within 10 minutes. They sometimes talk to each other, read their books or just sit there looking at their night light projection.

What is your bedtime routine for your kids?


20 comments :

  1. Their routine is pretty similar to Serena's right now, except I get her right into the bath as soon as we get home. Because daycare germs - ha! Most nights I regret the bath first routine because she makes such a mess at dinner! LOVE that the girls help their dad build the fire. So sweet!
    Green Fashionista

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    1. We have the girls change every evening when we get home because of daycare germs. Ha. We are soo alike. It is sooo sweet and I love these moments...most of the time.

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  2. I don't have kids, but I had to laugh thinking...OMG, my bedtime routine is the same as theirs, lol! This winter all I've wanted to do is take a bath right before bedtime. Just soak in a hot tub and "not think." Hope you had a great weekend!

    Laura
    Black Coffee Beautiful

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    1. That is too funny. I love that you have the same routine as them. No shame in that. Ha. I want to soak in the tub and not think as well!

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  3. Sounds like you have a good routine going on!

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  4. Awe, so sweet to document this. I think you will love looking back on this post someday.

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    1. I sure do hope so. Plus if I can help anyone out, even better.

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  5. Without fail every night we have to leave the room saying, "Good night - I'll see you in the morning!" I don't know why, and its something I did with my parents too!

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  6. Ours is pretty much the reverse.. mine are 5 and 8 and we eat around 7 -7:15 depending on when M gets home. By 7:30 - 7:45 they are done and on their way upstairs to brush their teeth and change. I read to the 5 year old while the 8 year old reads to himself. And thankfully, finally they put themselves to sleep. And on bath days they have a bath around 6 and dinner afterwards.

    http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

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    1. I wish mine put themselves to sleep. We sometimes give a bath first depending on what I am making.

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  7. Bedtime thankfully is easy in our house. We have dinner between 4:30-5pm (sometimes later if we wait for Kyle to get home), then it's bath time, playtime, and bedtime at 6pm. If she naps that day we usually push bedtime to 6:30-7pm.

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    1. Oh I loved when my girls went to sleep at 6 ish. But we had to push it back since they are older. I do love the evenings with them though.

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  8. Ours is pretty similar as far as the time the kids go to bed, and we always go through the same routines each night (bath time, books, etc.). Hadley has been climbing out of her crib for a couple of months and she's only 2.5, so that's been our latest challenge. ;)

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    1. Oh wow. Is it almost time for a big girl bed? I remember that is about the time we changed our girls into toddler beds.

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  9. This sounds very similar to what we do... except for the Ok to Wake clock... both of our kids straight ignored that when we tried it. Lol.

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    1. Haha. That is funny. My girls sometimes ignore it, but are good about it. We went out of town this weekend and they kept asking where it was.

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