Kid's Bed Time Routines?

Bed time at our house is usually pleasant…usually.

Occasionally there will be those quick “I’m hungry”, I’ve got to pee”, or “I need to tell you something” excuses to stay up longer.

While most of the time we don’t necessarily go by a set routine the kids know what is expected of them and what is going to happen next.

Sometimes though things happen where we get home late or people have been over and bed time is just completely thrown off. This is when we have major meltdowns and tantrums. Our older kids are ages 7, 6(almost 7), and 5. They are definitely old enough to know right from wrong in the majority of situations. They are old enough that we shouldn’t be having these night time fights.

But then I wonder if we have these meltdowns because we don’t have set bed time routine. Something in place that takes care of all those last minute excuses. Maybe knowing exactly when bedtime preparations are starting and exactly what is going to happen will make things smoother!

I know you are probably shaking your head and thinking to yourself that I’m an idiot for not thinking of this sooner! You already know all of this right?? Well…I do too…we just don’t do it! Who is smart now? Yes you are right…it’s you!

So anyways Drew and I have decided that next week when the kids come back home that we are going to implement a bed time routine and see if it works any better for us. Hopefully it will!

Here’s what we are going to do:

7:30 – Kids take baths
8:00 – Little girl goes to bed (this already happens)
           Boys have a snack and drink
8:15 – Boys pick up bathroom and bedroom
8:30 – We read a story or a chapter of a book
8:45 – Say prayers and talk to each other
9:00 – Turn on the radio and lights out


Obviously sometimes this is not going to work because of sports schedules and us living so far from the Recreation Center where we play at. For the most part though this time frame should work. During the summer bedtime is not that big of a deal because they don’t have to get up early so we won’t stick to this exactly once they aren’t in school.

Well this is what we are going to try and hopefully it works for us!

What works for you? Do your kids have set bedtime routines?

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