February 22, 2019

Toddler Bedtime Routine

Bedtime routines, I feel like they are something that so many people have or want for their kids, wonder if they are doing things right, or so many other things. Bedtime is hard, especially with toddlers. I mean, Lettie girl is way easier to put to bed than King but we also have started a very similar routine for bedtime for her too. Putting the routine into place was something that we knew we needed help with so we had The Cradle Coach help us and get King on a sleep schedule. When we moved into our home a year and a half ago things were really rough with bedtime. We would put him to bed around 8 and he would stay away yelling, screaming, coming out of his room, etc. until 11:30 or midnight. Once we started having help from The Cradle Coach we now put him down for bed at 7:30 and he usually maybe, maybe comes out once or yells at us once. It has been amazing. We have had to change a few things from The Cradle Coach’s plan as he has grown and some things have changed but it is still pretty close and works like a charm!

Here is our routine for our kids (Lettie’s is pretty close to the same just a little bit earlier):

5:45 – Dinner time with Daddy & all screens turned off & put away
6:00 – Lettie pajama’s on & I nurse her or she baths
6:20-6:30 – Lettie down for bed – crazy right!? 
6:15 – Daddy & King Playtime
6:30 – Pickup toys, room & and the area he is in charge of
6:45 – Bathtime – every other night most the time, if he doesn’t bath he gets to play longer.
7:00 – Read Books – King gets to read as many books as he is old so he reads 4 books with Zach
7:10 – Lights out and night meditation
7:20 – Bedtime 

This has been the best thing ever, we are those crazy people that generally leave places early to get our kids to bed now though. We try to stick to the routine at least 5-6 nights a week and then if we are out and about one night and they fall asleep in the car or somewhere else it isn’t as big of a deal. Sticking strongly to the routine is what has helped our kids know it is time for bed and fall asleep a lot quicker. 

I hope this helps you to maybe get ideas for bedtime, validate the things that you are doing, etc. Remember that no matter what you are doing, if it works for your family then that is all that matters!