Last Updated on 25 September 2023 by Colette
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I must admit that bedtime is one of my favourite times of the day – not just because it means that the day is done but also because, when everything goes smoothly, bedtime is all clean kids, cuddles and bedtime stories.
I’ve written before about how we introduced a bedtime routine into our house when Ben was just five weeks old. Over the last seven years that routine has grown and adapted to suit the needs of our family – be it adding a new baby into the mix, realising that perhaps they were ready for slightly later nights or Ben doing extra curricular activities of an evening.
I’ve been asked in the past how we manage a bedtime routine with three kids of different ages but for the most part we just get on with it and the expectation is there that they all get ready for bed together and then the older two may get a little “extension” where they can read in bed.
For us a bedtime routine has always been a really positive experience – it allows the kids to know when it’s time to relax and certain repeated triggers for examples tidying up, bath time or a bedtime story all help them to prepare for sleeping. I’m sure if we suddenly announced in the middle of a rowdy game – “Right it’s bedtime, go sort yourselves out and get into bed” then we’d have a mutiny on our hands!
Generally we have quite a strict rule that tablets go off before tea time (though often they aren’t used at all during the week as we’re too busy with other things) and then after tea it’s tidying up, a bit of TV or reading school books.
There are two main reasons we’ve always said “no tablets after tea” – the first being that we didn’t want their brains buzzing from playing games and stopping them from sleeping (anyone else played Candy Crush in bed and then struggled to drop off? I’m sure it’s not just me!) and the second being that having a strict “no tablets after tea” rule means there’s no room for arguing – no, “can I just finish this game?” or “I’ll come upstairs after this programme has finished” etc.
We’ve recently softened a little on this rule with the introduction of the new “sleep mode” on the Sky Kids app – particularly if we are away from home e.g. in a hotel or at my parents where we haven’t got such free access to kids’ tv.
The Sky Kids app allows you to set a timer for the app to stop working for the day (a little like a more grown up version of when Cbeebies puts the bedtime screen up!) The app allows us to download their favourite programmes to watch offline (perhaps at swimming or in the car) but, once you’ve activated sleep mode it gives gentle five minute warning before Sky Buddy goes to sleep giving them another subtle reminder that it’s bedtime.
I particularly love that Sky Buddy remains asleep until it’s waking up time – this is especially useful for us at Granny & Grandad’s where Ben tends to wake up earlier and is allowed his tablet in bed until it’s a more acceptable waking up time! Being able to set a time on the Sky Kids app means he knows that if Sky Buddy isn’t awake, then he shouldn’t be either!
So what does bedtime look like in our house?
For the most part Dave and I do bedtime as a bit of team effort, in the early days this was mainly because it was just nice family time to do Ben’s bath and bed together each night. Now I think it feels like more a case of divide and conquer – those bedtimes where Dave is working away are definitely a little more stressful!
Once we’ve tidied up and turned off the TV, its upstairs for a bath or shower depending on how grubby they are, then PJs, teeth and into Amy’s room for a story before tucking everyone in and saying good night. More often than not Dave reads the bedtime story as he’s had less chance to spend time with the kids during the day and it means I can get back downstairs to get on with some work. (The joys of working from home)
Although we have quite a fixed bedtime routine and all three kids are generally pretty good at going to bed, this doesn’t mean that they don’t push their luck. Amy always wants the one extra cuddle, Chloe will always need another wee (or more recently has started to ask really random questions like “Daddy, why was the world made?”) and Ben can usually think of something he has left downstairs that he can’t possibly sleep without. We are quite firm about this – you don’t go downstairs once you’re ready for bed so either you do without or we bring it up next time we come upstairs. When it comes to getting three kids to bed you take no prisoners!
Up until about 18 months ago, Ben and Chloe shared a room which was hard work at bedtimes as they kept each other awake. We thought that once they were in their own rooms this would be magically solved but unfortunately, they now just sneak into each other’s rooms and chat there instead! Amy’s bedroom door has one of those old fashioned high up door handles so she couldn’t get out even if she wanted to – and I do sometimes wish that Ben and Chlo’s doors were the same! There’s definitely been some stern words said of a evening when we hear them up after we’ve put them to bed. One of the things which we’ve found helps is allowing Ben his extra half hour of reading time downstairs instead so that Chloe can go to sleep without feeling tempted to go and talk to him.
It might well be time to push Ben and Chloe’s bedtimes on slightly but I’m loathe to give up my evenings – is that wrong?! I must admit that I actually put off teaching Ben to tell the time so that he wouldn’t know when it was really bedtime or that I was sneaking him upstairs 20 minutes earlier than usual as I’d lost the will to live!
I’d love to know what tricks your children use to try and extend their bedtimes? Have you got any white lies up your sleeve that you use to get them into bed earlier?
*If you want to try out the Sky Kids app – it’s free for existing Sky customers and can be downloaded here: sky.com/skykids*
I have never heard of this Skyapp before. I am going to look it up for sure.
This sky app is really clever! I like that you don’t let them use tablets, it’s really hard today because of how modern it has become. You are a great example for your kids x
I love the Sky App. I think it’s good the children have such a boundary when it comes to electronics a lot of them are glued to them. A good bedtime routine is essential, so glad you’ve got them into one x
What a clever idea for a feature, I’m glad your littlies are enjoying it!
I’ve not heard of this before but sounds like a good app. I’m reluctant to let Jack know the time sometimes and fear when he does learn for similar reasons.
I’d never heard of this app, glad it helps out at bedtimes though!
My children go upstairs at around 6:30pm and when my husband comes in from work at 8pm they know it’s time to turn off their tvs and read for a bit x
It must be so nice when everything goes smoothly. I love bedtime myself because it’s my time to relax x
aw its good how theres a routine and they’re together spending time on the app
I really like that they put some thought into this app when it comes to bed time. That sleep timer is a really nice feature.
A great app that could have been missed. Thanks for the share.
It’s very good that you’re teaching them from now that bed time is to relax and tidy up as well. Good habits are best trained from early years.
Your kids are beautiful! I bed time routine is essential and once they know the routine they take to it a lot better x
Thank you! You’re right, it’s never too late to start a bedtime routine imo.
I didn’t know that Sky had apps – need to check them out!
It’s so important to have a bedtime routine. I think it helps kids sleep better.
This app sounds really clever! I’ll be downloading it for next time my nieces come for a sleepover.
Amelia
I think I need sky app for the mister so he isnt up till all hours ha x
This sounds like a very useful app especially as kids are using technology earlier and earlier .
We have never really had a bedtime routine with Zach, but now he’s getting a little older we’re starting to introduce one – story time is Zach’s favourite xx
I can see how peaceful the bedtime moments can do to them. Reading stories is still the best thing for the kids but the features of sky kids really look convenient.
Aren’t they adorable. I think my girls need this as the summer hols messed up our bedtimes.
This is such a cool app. Your kids are so sweet too.
This sounds like a great app and something that I need. But I am not a sky customer, so can I still get this? #Triedtested
I’ve never heard of the app, we don’t allow mini m near a tablet after tea either, we read instead. The feature I like most is the fact it sleeps in the morning, mini m gets up really early 80% of the time this would be an indicator to him it’s still early
This app looks great! I also love your rule of no tablets after tea I will keep that in mind. This app does look great though as you can set a timer and it goes to sleep.
Jodie X
We’ve always had a very structured bedtime routine too and our daughter is a brilliant sleeper because of it. I need my evenings too so I totally understand your comment about whether to push bedtimes back. At some point it will have to happen but until then I’m going to enjoy my evenings!
#TriedTested
I totally agree that children need a routine at bedtime, winding down time is important. Love the divide and conquer phrase, that is exactly what it is. Shared bedrooms are difficult and Bob at 10 shares with the twins at 2 and they are in bed before 7 which means he cannot use his room after that for playing etc.
No I don’t think you are wrong for wanting some me time in an evening, and in the past as older teens my children were often still up when I went to bed.
Such a good idea and it’s that extra little thing telling them that it’s time for bed. I think it might work wonders in our house!
I like the idea of no tablets after tea. My daughter is still a baby, so she goes to bed around 7-8pm. She’ll tell us when she’s sleepy, she gets grumpy.
Bedtime routines are a must for a good night’s sleep for everyone. Anything that works and you can keep up with is great. I liked bedtime too, well the post bath cuddles bit, which in my memory was watching Ickle Pickle go to bed in the sky with a cheeky glass of wine and a baby cuddle! #TriedTested
Not heard of that app before off to go and have a look
Ah we have the Sky Kids app but didn’t know it did that! I really enjoy our bedtime routine as its all about quietness and calmness before we go up so usually it means after dinner, no tv or ipad and we play a few board games or do a puzzle for an hr before we go up. We have always had a good routine and I believe that’s why Mia has always slept through since being a tiny baby
#TriedTested
This looks great, I’d love to try it with my kids. A good bedtime routine is so important x #triedtested
Sounds like it may come in handy for those that struggle with a bedtime routine #Triedtested
This sounds like a fab idea particularly for travelling, Taormina is really getting into her telly now but so far she is tablet free. I imagine our next flight I will be thrusting the ipad upon her saying do whatever you like darling, just sit and be quiet. x
We have a no screens after tea rule here as well. I do like the sound of the Sky Kids app though – it’s a good idea for indicating that it’s time to switch off while they’re using the tablet. My two like to try and prolong bedtime too with various requests for more cuddles and for me to sit and hold hands while they fall asleep but we’re trying to get back into a better routine now that Jessica is at school.
Oh I love the idea of sleep mode – very useful!
I’ve never heard of that app before, will have to check it out! #triedtested
I haven’t heard of this app before, what a great idea. We do bedtime together and then when it all starts getting crazy we can take a child each!! Thanks for hosting X
This sounds like a really good idea. At the moment my daughter only uses the tablet for a limited time anyway, because she’s so young and has a short attention span, but I can see how useful this could be for the future.
I’ve not heard of the app before it sounds brilliant though. I think a bedtime routine is important.
How brilliant – I didn’t know about this and I’m already a Sky customer so I’ll definitely be downloading it 🙂
BB uses every trick in the book to try and extend bedtime – cheeky monkey! #TriedTested
This looks great! We are just adapting our bedtime routine for monkey now he’s started school trying to get him in bed earlier as he’s worn out when he gets home. But with the arrival of Kipper it’s been thrown out a little as we try to juggle two! Thanks for hosting #triedtested x
Mine are too old for this now, I’m sure they would have loved it!