Dad-ing

The Bedtime Routine (and contest)

Ah bedtime, the ever hopeful period where we hope that our little loves will just go to sleep. Please?

*keep scrolling down for giveaway details*

My tiny human has adopted (thanks to a week of sleep-training) a 7am wake-up and 8pm-ish bedtime with two (usually) naps in between.

So, with around fifteen minutes before she’s due to go off to the land of nod, I look for a yawn, big stretch or eye rubs. Failing those, it’s usually safe to assume the timetable stands and warm her bottle of whole milk for 35 seconds. It’s not hot but warmer than room temperature. She drinks that while I put her in her sleepsack as it distracts her so I can do it without too much struggle.

Then, as with every night, we finish with books. We have lots, some she likes, some she pushes away. Her favourites are always the work of Marion Dane Bauer and Caroline Jayne Church. The leading books change every time, but without fail we end on ‘How Do I Love You?’. By the end, she’s yawning and looking longingly at her crib and breathable kitties.


So, to the giveaway – For a chance to win 3 books from the series, just follow the SocialDad.ca Blog (link in the sidebar) and add your bedtime routine tips, tricks and advice in the comments section.


Contest open to US and Canada and open until March 31st 2017. Winners chosen at random and will be announced on the blog on 31st March. Prizes will be delivered via Amazon to a US or Canadian address. Got questions? Email James@SocialDad.ca

8 Comments

  1. Virtuous Mama

    February 26, 2017 at 4:00 pm

    We read books toRandy and say prayers together before bed here. 🙂

    Virtuous Mama
    http://Www.virtuousmama.org

  2. The Paperback Princess

    February 26, 2017 at 8:21 pm

    I have 4 kids and they are all different when it comes to bed time. 2 are nightowls like me, and sleep in. The other 2 are early sleepers, early risers like my hubby.
    We do story time as well 😊

  3. -T-

    February 28, 2017 at 9:33 am

    Bedtime routine…
    2 Stories with Snacks. Snacks being a yogurt and cheese.
    Then it’s off to bed!
    Kids are usually put down between 630-7pm and typically do not wake up until 730-8am.

    When we had our son only (son is 3.5 and daughter is 14months) we would read to him in our bed and then he would go into his bed for the night. With the introduction of our daughter, we’ve moved to reading in the living room before bed but both we try and keep the same routine.

  4. Angela

    March 3, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    We read bible stories before my son goes to bed and also say the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep prayer. 🙏🏼

  5. Brent C

    March 9, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    My tips are to embrace activity before bed! Nothing makes your kids more tired then chasing them around and burning some energy. Aromatherapy is also a great way to calm and relax.

  6. shirley

    March 14, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    We read or make-up stories.

  7. kristen visser

    March 15, 2017 at 3:23 am

    Our bedtime routine is after Pjs and brushing our teeth, my youngest daughter lays in bed with my oldest daughter and we read books! Usually about 4 books then they start getting tired enough for bed 🙂 My advice is no tv or devices within close to bedtime. To each is own but I find my girls sleep better

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