We recently returned from a 2 week vacation on which we coslept with all of our kids. We stayed in our camper- DH slept with 4 yo DS and I slept with 2 yo and 6 mon old DDs.
Prior to the vacation, our normal routine was to have DS and DD1 start the night in their own rooms. DS went to sleep with a minimum amount of fuss, DD1 needed to be parented to sleep. DD2 sleeps with us. Now that we're back, our older kids are refusing to go to sleep by themselves. I can understand their needs, but I'm having a hard time accomidating them.
On vacation, we were spending each day together. And we were on vacation, so there weren't any tasks that I needed to complete after the kids went to bed. But now that we're back to real life, I don't want to go to bed at the same time as my kids- I WAH and have orders I need to fill, I have a house to clean, sewing to do, etc. etc. DH's only time to himself during the day is the hour or so he plays (non child friendly) video games after the kids go to bed.
Is there any way to resolve this conflict? I can just lay down with the kids while they fall asleep- but it takes so long that by the time they're out, most of the evening is gone.
For those who sleep with older kids (not babies) how do you handle bedtime? Does the whole family go to bed at the same time? If so, what time? And do you manage to get any time to yourself?
Prior to the vacation, our normal routine was to have DS and DD1 start the night in their own rooms. DS went to sleep with a minimum amount of fuss, DD1 needed to be parented to sleep. DD2 sleeps with us. Now that we're back, our older kids are refusing to go to sleep by themselves. I can understand their needs, but I'm having a hard time accomidating them.
On vacation, we were spending each day together. And we were on vacation, so there weren't any tasks that I needed to complete after the kids went to bed. But now that we're back to real life, I don't want to go to bed at the same time as my kids- I WAH and have orders I need to fill, I have a house to clean, sewing to do, etc. etc. DH's only time to himself during the day is the hour or so he plays (non child friendly) video games after the kids go to bed.
Is there any way to resolve this conflict? I can just lay down with the kids while they fall asleep- but it takes so long that by the time they're out, most of the evening is gone.
For those who sleep with older kids (not babies) how do you handle bedtime? Does the whole family go to bed at the same time? If so, what time? And do you manage to get any time to yourself?