Help us have a better bedtime

[homemademom]

This problem has been going on for a while, but it really needs to stop and I need ideas and support.

Bedtime around here just stinks!  I've got five kids.  They need baths, pajamas, stories/Bible, brushed teeth and prayers. In the midst of bathing the younger ones, the older ones are dawdling and not getting their pajamas out before their showers. When I turn my attention from one group of them, they (the unsupervised ones) start fighting. Meanwhile, the baby is usually asleep (he goes down around 6:30), so I'm shushing everyone and getting ticked that they're being so loud.  You get the picture.

It's the story of my life that I feel stretched thin and not able to stay on top of everything, but at night, I turn into Mean Mom and I don't like it. I feel like my littles go to bed too often with their last memory being me hissing at them to stay in bed and BE QUIET.  Ugh. It's exhausting. I hate feeling this way and I'm sure they don't like it.  How do I create more order and peace in our bedtime? Please help!

Edited by homemademom - 7/23/11 at 10:43pm

[peaceful_mama]

Wish I could help.  I have 4, the youngest also a baby who is ready to sleep--bedshares with me--when the 3 older ones are ready to sleep.  I do have help--my mom and DH.  The current routine is food, bath, teeth, oldest 2 watch a movie, 2 year old snuggles in the rocker with Grandma or Daddy, baby goes with me.  Then when the baby is out, I go shut off the TV and sing to the older 2--yes, they still love it, why I can't imagine LOL  DH just got a night job and so far, it's been almost EVERY night, so it's been Grandma with the 2 year old.  They FINALLY were all out at MIDNIGHT tonight.  And that bedroom thing happens at NINE.  In all fairness the 2 year old took a late nap.

No ideas, just *hugs* and hope that I'll come back to someone with ideas.  I know the TV thing is not the greatest, but there's no 3rd adult and it's something that they will watch QUIETLY--on occasion, they've been asleep when I come back!  The oldest one *can* read--we do that during the day.  The other 1 is four.

[FarmerBeth]

Sounds tough!  I only have three kids and it's still tough (although we do have three of the cousins over for very extended periods so I temporarily go through this)!  Anyway, the only suggestion I have is maybe can you change the bath times?  My kids do every other night and take turns on who is on bath day, and in the summer and on Saturdays/evening service church Sundays, sometimes the older kids have a morning shower.  I just  find if everyone isn't all at once it is easier.  How old is your oldest?  Are you able to enlist any help, like getting the oldest to read a picture book with one of the younger ones while your busy?Hard to think of what might help.  Bed times just really can be hectic.

[Turquesa]

Oh, this thread couldn't come at a better time.  I've been AGONIZING over this issue.

Do any of your children sleep in your bed or your room?  That's part of our problem.  DD is 4 and still can't spend an entire night in her own room.  DS turns 2 next month and STILL hasn't night-weaned.  DH INSISTS on "watching something" in our bedroom (via the laptop; we don't have a TV there) to "clear [his] head."  I could go on and on and on, but that would be thread-jacking. 

I know that my parents simply had a rule that everyone was in their room at 8pm for the rest of the night.  Not sure how they managed to enforce it....but they did!  That "adult time" is VITAL to your sanity and your marriage....

We leave on vacation next week, and when we get back, I'd like to make some serious changes.  Sorry---I'm all commiseration and no advice.  I'm hoping that you get some constructive answers here, Homemademom, because I could use the help, too!