One rhythm in our household we tried to establish early and stick to is our bedtime routine for our son. It’s nothing earth-shattering, but going through these simple routines helps him get ready for bed.

Side benefit: when people babysit, he tells them what comes next (although he certainly tries to drag things out by asking to “play a few minutes?” and “read ‘nother book!”).

He calls all bedtime “nappy time,” even though the nap time routine is generally much simpler and shorter.

First, a bath – “tubby time!” He gets about fifteen minutes to play in the tub with his toys, bath books, and get soaped up and cleaned. He’s already learning to use the washie to clean his arms and belly and face! And we’ve finally mastered “lean back” so we can rinse his hair off with cups of water. If he gets water in his eyes, we taught him to “blink, blink, blink” which is more effective than rubbing and getting soap in his eyes. (We learned that at swim lessons last year!).

Tubby time is often followed by a run around the upstairs bedrooms and hallway with a hooded towel floating behind him – he really likes this part! Then we corral him and get him to brush his teeth. ”Make circles! Stick out your tongue! Rinse!” We try to teach the finer points of dental hygiene early! And believe me, he lets us know if we forgot to put “soap” on his brush!

Diaper and pajamas on! Then the fun begins – oh there are so many ways our little guy tries to distract us. But wehold firm (we have a soft spot for cuteness though!). We keep things calm and get him into the rocking chair for book time.

He’ll let us read books as long as possible, but generally we read about 3-5 board books a night. His favorites include: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, anything from the BabyLit series, Katy and the Big Snow, All About Turtles, and usually his latest library books. Usually I read, but sometimes if I have his laundry or diapers to put away, Daddy does the honors while Mommy straightens up (I hate leaving him in a disheveled room for the night!).

Then it’s time for “Rock an’ Sing” – generally done by Mommy. He now has learned to lay quietly and usually “tries” to sleep as pictured here with his hands under his cheek. We turn on the Moosie Light (by Kinderglo), turn off the lights, and wait for the “stars come out” (our glow in the dark ceiling stickers). Then I sing. He loves being sung to – “Jesus Loves Me,” “Rock-A-Bye Baby,” “Lullaby and Goodnight,” “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God,” “Isn’t He Wonderful,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Occasionally an oddball song will get thrown in at his request – like ”London Bridges” or “I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas”!

He usually doesn’t fall asleep in my arms anymore, so I put him in his crib with his many animal friends. Meet (left to right): Turtle, Turtle Pillow, Snoodle, Rabbit (Thumper), Froggie, Mickey, Sleepie Sheep…and sometimes more!

I give him his Lion Lovey – a little worse for the wear – and two sherpa/flannel wipes he also uses as lovies, and tuck him in. Recently, a new part of the routine got added, leftover from the weeks of soothing post-binky-weaning: He calls it “Sing in the Crib” where he lays down, and I rub his back and sing one or two more songs while he lays there. This has worked really well to get him to go to sleep quietly. Then I put on his lullaby music and say goodnight.

It might sound like a long routine, but unless bathtime or booktime goes longer than usual, it’s about thirty minutes; if we get home late from somewhere we just shorten everything up! And that’s the rhythm of our house at bedtime!

What’s your bedtime routine for your children? I’m especially curious to hear routines for kids of different ages! Either blog about it and link up in a comment, or tell me in your comment!