Op, I used to do bedtime for 3 kids on my own, and it took an hour. I didn’t do individual time with each, we all did bedtime together. Quick dip in the tub, PJs, brush teeth, each kid picks one book (I pick book for baby). The hardest part is troubleshooting how to stop the getting out of bed after being tucked in, which can go on endlessly. We did sticker charts, treats in the morning, etc. Also did stuff like keep putting kids back even when they were screaming, crying. Etc. that was hard.

Honestly, my DH also a lawyer, works ridiculously long days, but he is on for 30 min around bedtime (it’s pretty much the only time he sees the kids on weekdays) because that is the time when it makes such a huge difference for me.

We take a bath before dinner, which helps speed up the process. So it's like bath, then dinner, then usually one TV show or some playing time. Around 6:30 we head upstairs, for teeth, bathroom, pajamas, read a book, sing a song, maybe tell a story and lights out at 7:00 pm.

1 kid, 5 years old. He usually wakes up 6:00 to 6:30 a.m.

I don't think 45 minutes is too much time for 2 kids, that seems pretty normal. An hour is a bit much, but it's not totally insane. I echo the others who say start earlier, and stick to a routine. Also get DH involved.

Anonymous wrote:I only had one but it was only 15 minutes for the whole routinesince he was a toddler.
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Wow! I could never brush teeth, get into pajamas AND read one book in 15 minutes. Plus bedtime was when we did baths too. Generally it took 30-45 minutes from start to finish.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine is 4.5 and still naps. And she’s home with a nanny and her infant sister. I don’t mind the nap. On weekends the whole house naps from 2-3:30. She literally goes upstairs after lunch and crawls under the covers and goes to sleep most days. Gets up at 6:30. Bedtime starts right before 8 and I leave her room by 8:35 after shower and lots of books. It’s a nice time we have together.

You cannot possibly mean she wakes up from her nap at 6:30. And then goes to bed two hours later? Typo, right?

Lol yes. 6:30 am wake up for the day. Nap wake up is 3:30 or so.

About 45 minutes (2 kids, 2 parents). That includes bath, teeth brushing, pajamas, book, nursing for baby.

My 3.5 yo is always trying to add things to the bedtime routine. I feel like I have to be really disciplined with it and kind of mean or it can spin out of control really easily. She gets to watch a short video (like winnie the pooh) on daddy's phone before bed, so we're always telling her that if she's going to slow during the routine that she's not going to be able to watch her show. I set a timer for her bath or else she will stay in there for 8 years because first she has to fill her little bucket with water, then she has to wash ducky, then she has to sit with her hair under the running water, then she has to sing a song......... it gets out of control if I don't rein it in.

What are you counting in the routine? The pandemic has been great for easier evenings.
I have 4 & 6 yo kids. The 4yo is in a morning preschool program and takes a short nap in the afternoon - no more than 1 hour, or it will mess with bedtime.
We get outside to play when the 6yo is done with DL, from 3:30-4:30. Get bathed and sit down to dinner as a family at 5. We are done with dinner by 6, one parent clears up while the other reads to the kids and gets their teeth brushed, pajamas on etc. In bed with lights out by 7pm. We often have to work 3-4 hours after the kids go to bed, so the early bedtime is a must.