Tips needed: my kids can't go to bed at the same time anymore!

[AllisonR]

I have a 5 yo DS who always required a lot of sleep, and a 3 yo DD who required less. This worked well, because they went to bed at the same time. Since they sleep together, one parent could have the "night off" (really making lunches for the next day), while the other parent would tuck in, read books, and get them to sleep.

But now DD is over tired at bedtime, and DS is still awake. Instead of both of them in bed at 7:30, it would be better for DD go to bed at 7 and DS go to bed at 8.

Not sure how we will do this. DH and I thought maybe the plan would be we could still all go up for bath, pajamas, teeth brushing, but then DD go to sleep with one parent while DS goes back downstairs for another hour with the other parent. Ideas, tips, suggestions... to make the transition easier? If you kids go to bed at different times, what works for you, what doesn't?

[Grace and Granola]

Your idea sounds great! That is exactly what I would do. Maybe your 5yo would enjoy doing a quiet "big kid" activity without interruption from his little sis. This is what I do for my kids at naptime. My older ds gets to play a computer game, draw, paint, playdough. Usually something that is hard to do with younger ds around.