Question about bedtime routines with more than one child

How do you handle bedtime when you have multiple children, particularly when they have their own rooms? Our bedtime routine for our kids has always been books, a song, and a snuggle in bed. We have two boys, 4 and 2, and a 6 week old girl. Usually, the 4yo will come in the 2yo's room and hang out while we read books, but usually at some point during the process, he wanders to his own room and gets his books ready. So when I finish with my 2yo, I go to my 4yo's room and read to him and do the whole routine there. Right now, the baby just obviously comes with me wherever I am. But I'm envisioning a time, like a year or so from now, when I will be doing 3 bedtime routines, one after the other, and it will take forever. It's such a special time and I love having that with each of them, so I don't want to lose it, but it seems like it could get a bit excessive. How does everyone else do it? Is there a way to do it together? Especially with varying ages, reading books that would work for all of them? TIA for any ideas!

Re: Question about bedtime routines with more than one child

We keep it short and simple.
10 minutes of tv for the big kids (twins 3.5)
I read my little one a book (one book) while they watch tv.

The twins either get two books together or one book on their own.

No cuddling...my dd would never let me leave.

If DH is home he reads to one and me the other...then we switch rooms to say good night.

Then the 1000 excuses and questions start from my 3 year olds to avoid going to sleep

Question about bedtime routines with more than one child

Can you do books/song with them snuggled in your bed and then tuck them in individually?

Re: Question about bedtime routines with more than one child

I only have two. But I can't do it separately bc I am all alone so the other is calling for something. I get their rooms all ready (lights off, sound machines on, fan or if needed etc). We do snuggling and reading together in my room. Then I say bed and they run for their own room. I go and kiss and tuck then.

Re: Question about bedtime routines with more than one child

My kids are almost 3 years apart so DD goes to bed long before DS.

DS eats dinner with Dad while I take DD up for a bath, bottle and bedtime routine starting at 6pm. She is in bed by 645 latest.
(sometimes I am with DS and DH puts DD to bed - depends on the day)

DS bedtime routine starts at 745pm.

Message edited 6/17/2014 10:01:53 AM.

Re: Question about bedtime routines with more than one child

I've done it many different ways, but currently, my husband reads to one and I to the other then we each tuck in each child. We switch every night. In the past I've read to them in one room then tucked them each in separately