a simple change to our bed/nap routine

I wanted to share this minor change we made to our bedtime/naptime routine. I've tested it out for about a week now to make sure it's not just a fluke, but it really seems to have made a big difference. I know everyone says routine routine routine, so for months we've been basically giving baths/washing faces, nursing, reading stories, THEN laying them down in their cribs, kisses, and good night. It's been getting harder and harder the more mobile they get, and now I feel like they are sitting for part of the story, running away, coming back, and getting more wound up. So a friend who has 28 year old triplets was over and said, "We used to put them in the cribs to read." Duh. For some reason I thought they had to be sitting with/on me or DH in order to read. So now I get them all ready for bed, stand them up in their cribs, brush their teeth right there, and read them a few stories as if I was a librarian, holding the book out for them to look at the pictures and touch. They love it! By the third book, they sit down and keep watching. When I finish reading, I shut the curtains, turn out the lights, give kisses, and leave! And they are ok with it! No major whining!

Ask me again in a few weeks and my story may change, but I love this new routine! Most of you are probably smart enough to have figured that out months ago, but for the few who are still sitting on the floor or in a chair struggling with squirmy babies at bedtime, it may be worth a try :good:

 

We do stories the same way and it works great - they love their routine!! Congrats on a great new change in your life!

 

Yeah for you! I love it when something works!!!!

 

:yahoo: I hope this keeps working for you!!!! I will keep this in mind for when we need it!

 

Whoa, I never thought of that! :fool: Half the time we don't make it through the whole story because they get so fussy; I'm going to have to try your trick. Thanks!

 

Hmmmm- interesting idea! Mine use that time to run around the room while I'm reading! One is easy to get to bed, but the other one cries as soon as I put her in there, so maybe this would help! I'm going to give it a try and see what happens!! Thanks for the idea!

 

Thanks for the tip! I will have to try this one for sure!

 

That's exactly what mine used to do - they love books, but only the ones with textures kept them still at all lately. I can tell you this has been magic. Even DH noticed the dramatic difference. They already know that books are last so they stand for the first few and when I get to the last one (I switch up the rest so we don't get bored, but always end with The Going To Bed Book so I can shut out the light when it says "somebody turns off the light"), they are actually yawning and sitting down. Who knew it could be that easy? No more complaining/squirming as I put them into the cribs because they know that they'll get stories next and they love them! Hope it works for you, too

 

We stole your tip! and we've been using it the last 3 nights as well...its a keeper in this house

 

We LOVE this book.

 

Yeah for finding something that works for you!!!