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Bedtime Routines
Hi! I am the mom of a four yr old boy. I am curious as to what your bedtime routine is for your pre-schooler. When do you start "winding down"? Bath everynight? Read books, then lights out & when? I went back to work in Jan after being home for 3.5yrs and I know my bedtime routine could use some improvements! I would love to know what works for you!
Thanks!
rnmomof3 | October 7, 2008 | reply
amazingmomfaith | October 4, 2008 | reply
I have a 10yo and her bedtime is 8:00pm. She showers at 7:30 or before. Shes lays her clothes out for school, we pray, hug and kiss and she's off to bed. There is twice a week where we are out and she don't get to bed until after 9. I do notice a difference the next morning when she goes to bed later. She don't wake up as easy. On Friday and Saturday her bedtime is 9.
SS
swesson22 | September 22, 2008 | reply
StacyD,
I have three kids, ages 7, 3, and 1. As far as the preschooler, it's usually bath every night at 7:30p.m., followed by brushing teeth and potty, books at 7:45 (I let him choose 3), prayer/singing time, and then lights out at about 8:00. My preschooler enjoys turning the light out himself (I ask him every night, which he loves, would you like to turn the light out or would you like mommy to do it). He always answers the same way but the grin on his face when I ask is priceless, I know he looks forward to it. It's the last thing we do together in the evening...it's followed up with an "I love you." I've found with all my kids that routine is key. After a long day at home or school they can at least anticpate what happens at bedtime (really, what kid wouldn't look forward to having mom/dad's undivided attention while snuggling over a book?). I worked full-time as a teacher when my oldest was 4 and youngest was 12 months and bedtime was one of the highlights of the day for all of us. It still is, even being at home full-time. I hope this helps.
threeinatub | September 22, 2008 | reply
Thanks for sharing ladies! I get home from work about 5:45, then do the dinner rush and clean up. By then it is usually around 7 or later. He gets a bath every other night - sometimes he is not out of the bath until 7:45, then its on to a few books and winding down - and the next thing I know its 8:15 - 8:30 when I'm turning off the lights! Later then I want, but its been so hard to get going earlier. Hubby is a contractor, so some nights he is not home from meeting prospective customers until almost 8....which also throws things off since he wants to see his father. We live in a condo, so unless he is down for the count - he hears his dad come in. He wakes up between 6:30-7 on hisown. Some days he'll nap at day care and some days he just hangs out quietly while his buddies nap. The nights he doesn't nap he gets cranky by 7:30.... I'm learning to shave as much time off dinner prep as I can....loving my crock pot lately! Breakfast for dinner is also becoming a staple!
Gennamel - congrats! Two months and only up once a night? Awesome!
StaceyD | September 22, 2008 | reply
I have a 5 year old boy and a 2 1/2 year old boy. I put my kids to bed a little later than most moms because my husband works 2 jobs and doesn't get home till almost 8PM. I put them in bed at 8:30PM. Once their dad gets home, we brush teeth, tell daddy about our day, and baths are before daddy gets home, so he can see them and spend a little time with them. I should also mention that my boys get to see their dad for a couple hours in the afternoon as well, which makes things nice.
At around 8:15PM, we read their books and start nestling down for the night. Both boys wake up at 7AM without a problem.
caris218 | September 22, 2008 | reply
gennamel | September 19, 2008 | reply
