One of the big adjustments that comes with going from one to four children is the change in the bedtime routine. Before we had an hour for mama and daughter time, to bathe, play board games, read, and cuddle in bed together.
Even with the occasional nightly meltdowns, our routine was a time of peace and connecting with each other.
Add three more lively kids and bedtime has become baths, running, pajamas, running, reading (with lots of interruptions), tucking into bed, some protests, and lots of bouncing back and forth to check on all the kids. And right now, it's impossible to do alone so hubby and I split up duties each taking two kids, and still there's more of a party vibe than a serene bedtime routine.
I know we'll get there, and it takes time. It won't be the same routine as with one child, but I hope we settle into a new nighttime ritual that is less exciting and more soothing.
I won't have an hour to devote to each child, but we'll try to carve out some time at the end of the night to connect for one on one time.
These posts from last week's Sunday Parenting Party resonated with me since they were about bedtime rituals and show that it's really the simple things that make routines work for families.
A nightly routine chart and candle helps Happy Whimsical Hearts create peace with her kids at the end of the day.
Snuggling with her baby brings relief at the end of a long day for Twodaloo.
Counting to ten is a tool Taming the Goblin uses to transition to bedtime.
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5 comments:
I really loved reading this post Rebekah...thanks so much for sharing. I have struggled going from an only child to the addition of twins with the nightly routine and i felt so connected to your own experiences!
Thank you so much for featuring my bedtime post! Having twins often makes me feel like I am just a robot changing one dirty diaper after another, with less time to connect with my children than I imagine you get with one baby at a time. Bedtime has always been special for that reason...I cherish every little baby hug ;)
I definitely love night time rituals with my daughter! Great post.
It was so nice to read this. I have two and am trying to combine the bedtime ritual without it being "a party"... somewhat unsuccessfully. I thought maybe I was missing something.
@Alisha Oh and I replied to your comment at Your Kid's Table. Sorry, just saw your question today!
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