Sweet Sleep

We are doing well with getting the girls to sleep at night now.  For as long as I can remember, its been a struggle.  Scott would take one, I would take the other, and for different periods of time, this was because one of us needed a break every other night away from putting one of them to bed.  They would take turns being difficult, and it could take up to 2 hours before they would be asleep from the time we brushed their teeth.  We did some research, and started a new routine, and as long as it is followed, they go to bed easy-breezy (unless they really are hungry, then they go to bed with some goldfish!... which is rare, because they usually get a bedtime snack if supper was more than an hour earlier.).

We usually start around 7:30 with brushing teeth, potty, and pajamas, then we all meet in Bella's bed for reading time.  (We've read through the Wizard of Oz and are currently working on Ramona Quimby, Age 8)  We try to do one chapter a night, though sometimes its cut short, and sometimes we do a few extra pages.  Then Bianca goes straight to her bed.  She doesn't want cuddles, songs, or anything!  Just turn on her music, pray, and leave her alone.  She listens to the kids' songs randomly shuffled on my Zune, and watches the pictures change with each song.  Bella still wants a little time to chat, cuddle, pray, and sing, but it is SO much shorter than it used to be, usually around 10 minutes or less.  In general, we are done with bedtime around 8:30-9, depending on the night and starting time, and we have an hour or so to relax before we head to bed.  We used to be on pins and needles waiting for one to sneak out of their room, but they are usually asleep within 10 minutes.  It has been rather wonderful!

What is working for you?  I know that bedtime is different for everyone.  When my girls were babies, they could sleep anywhere.  Now I'm trying to keep them from sleeping anywhere except in their beds!  As soon as they moved into toddler beds (or not long after), it became a struggle for us.  I'm so glad that we've found something that is working!