How Do You Put 2 Kids to Sleep in the Same Room?

I have a humidifier. It's a little white noise that keeps them asleep if one makes a little noise. I'ts a lifesaver!!

I think milk and back rubs need to be done before "lights out". Then i agree that you shut the door and go take a shower, have a glass of wine, or call a good friend. The first few nights will be tough. It should take the kids a shorter amt of time each day to fall asleep. I think u need to let the kids figure it out with no attention from mom. The older may scream for u but it will stop quickly when you don't respond. Good luck!

My 6 year old and almost 3yo are in the same room now... my oldest, 10, just moved out into his own room in September. My husband and I do the bedtime routine together... it takes a while -- sometimes up to an hour and a half from beginning to when everyone is asleep. So, we wash up, divide them up some way for reading, and then the lights are out and we sing to them together, and then they get put into bed. We each say good night and tuck each one in, and then I snuggle the little one in bed for between 5 and 10 minutes, listening to soft music. Sometimes, when she needs it, my husband snuggles the 6yo. She doesn't often ask for it because she knows she can have it when she does need it. Anyway, after 5-10 min. I leave and their dad sits in there until the little one falls asleep (he'll keep popping out of bed if left alone.) I know a lot of people don't believe in sitting in there until the kids are asleep, but the older 2 have outgrown that need, and I fully expect the youngest will do the same within the next 6-8 months. And, I really treasure that time when he's sleepy and snuggly and falling asleep in my arms. It will be gone all too soon.

age-wise both in the same room will not work. the two year old still needs mommy, while the 6 years old needs her sleep. i don't know if you have the room to separate them. but that would be best otherwise it will be a difficult ride as it has been so far because of age difference.

Wow just wondering if they have to share a room? Unfortunately, I don't have the same age gap my 2 are 2 and almost 4 and once my youngest was sleeping through the night (mostly) I put them in the same room with no problems at all.

Both of my boys have the same bedtime routine tho' I don't have one that needs something additional. We read stories, tuck them, give them their last cup of water turned the music on and the sound machines and call it a night. My only suggestion is to set up an entirely different routine for both. Preferably one that doesn't require back rubs for the 6 yr old since it seems to be the current problem? Can you just change when and where you do your 6 yr olds back rubs.

I can picture both on your lap reading a book, talking etc--2 yr old drinks her milk, you rub your oldest back, story song or whatever then its tuck them lights out and walk out. May take a few nights but they'll get use to it....

I think you need a strict bedtime routine. I think the younger should go to bed first. An older child should have the privilege of a later bedtime. I never stayed with my kids or did extended rubbing or anything til they went to sleep. Bedtime is for sleeping. A two year old can understand that you will set the timer for five minutes, during which you'l stay and after that, mommy goes away. If she cries, then she can cry herself to sleep. The older one should get her minutes as well, and then lights out. If she calls for you, then NO mintutes the next night and a punishment too. They should not be able to see out the window, the shades or blinds should be drawn.
You may simply need to be firm about leaving the room and not give in to them begging for extra time. Bedtime is bedtime.

Not sure with that age gap...my daughters are only 14 months apart. Now 4 and 5. They have shared a room since they were 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old. They took their daily naps together, and sleep at the same time. We've never had an issue, ever. They go to sleep at 7:30 at night and they wake up at 7 am. Once in a while they're talking and goofing around...and have to get warned or spoken to sternly. But not usually. PS I would never take away a blanket or pillow! That seems mean and nasty in my opinion. Not cool. I know you can "control" your kids with stuff like that but sheesh.

I would rub her back as soon you lay her down for a few minutes. Then proceed to put the little one down. This routine will take awhile, but it should get better. I learned not to speak to them for super nanny. This will help with any questions or conversation during sleep time. My two sleep in the same room 4 and 9. My 4 yr old is learning to stay in bed now. It takes time. :)

You are going to have to bite the bullet on this one if you want a resolution. I assume you are a single parent since you don't mention a hubby helping put the kids to bed. The only way you will get relief is to go in the room, sit down with them, rub backs, pat backs, read stories, etc....they will eventually out grow this stage and fall asleep on their own. I think it is a special time of the evening when nothing else is interfering and I can have quiet talks with the kids and find out what their little minds have been doing.

Our two are 6.5 and 1.5 so not quit the same age but we don't really have any issues, they have always gone to bed at the same time, we are pretty strict at bedtime though...I strike and your out! One strike is all they get. Beyond that the Blanket or pillow is gone for the night! Or maybe no music...we switch that part up a bit.

Great question! I have two boys ages 4 and 2 in the same room. Every night is a hassle because when they go to bed it is party time! :) What can I say, they love to play! The two year old goes to bed first and the 4 year old goes about 20 min later. Sometimes we get lucky and the little one goes to sleep before big brother gets there. Most of the time- not so lucky. We are firm with them, but most every night the 4 year old has to bring his pillow and blanket and lay on the living room floor til the 2 year old goes to sleep. Then we sneak him in quietly. Not so practical in your situation but that's what we do. I am looking forward to reading your other responses. :)

I have four kids, They share rooms- two per room. Now, I don't have the age-gap issue that you have (which I believe is the main issue in this sleep "problem"... MAYBE).

My first two daughters are 8 and 7. The 7 year old has no problem going to sleep, and naturally needs more sleep (she's just that kind of person) than the 8 year old. My 8 year old just doesn't seem to need a bunch of sleep, so I put her to bed after her sister falls asleep (usually takes 15 min). 7 year old is a deep sleeper, but when I put 8 year old to bed I have her be quiet as a mouse anyways. There's no extra anything... it is just simply she tip-toes to her bed and then that's it.

The younger two daughters: 4 and 3 years old. I put them to bed at the same time. Most nights there is no issue, but if they goof off when they should be sleeping, I take the 4 year old out and wait for the 3 year old to go to bed first. The 3 year old usually has no problem going to sleep after that at all. It takes her less than 5 min.!

I've gotten everything to be very routine and predictable. I think that helps. The routine seems to prompt their sleepiness, and if kids are sleepy enough- they go to sleep:)

If a second room is not an option, I'd probably try to tweak the 2 year old's nap (if there is one). Maybe make it shorter... or earlier? It kinda sounds like the 2 year old isn't very sleepy at bedtime? Is that why she wakes up so easily? Just a guess. Also, I'd make sure the 6 year old was EXTRA quiet going in to the room. And IF the 2 year old wakes up, I'd ignore it... lights out, it is bedtime sorta thing. Eventually the waking 2 year old will get the idea: it isn't worth it to wake up right after being put to bed, then she'll fall back asleep. Hopefully. Good luck!

BTW, I wouldn't do the extra "soothing" stuff to the 6 year old in her bed anymore. I'd have some nice quiet time PRIOR to her going in her bed. I'd tell the 6 year old that you aren't favoring the 2 year old- because you are trying to do anything to keep the 2 year old quite so SHE (6 year old) can get rest. See, if she wakes the baby, then that is more trouble for her- no favoring. Tell her that.

I just started putting my two boys (3-1/2 and 11 months) to bed in the same room. My daughter is in the room right next to theirs, and she likes to sleep with the door open.

Up until last week, my 11 month old was in a pack and play in my room (my husband and I have separate bedrooms and we love that arrangement) and I would co-sleep with him when he woke up in the middle of the night for his feeding. I got fed up with my own sleep deprivation, and I decided to just put him in his older brother's room. I had always planned on having the boys share a room, so I figured now is as good a time as any to start.

Every night for the past five nights, my house has sounded like an insane asylum. Both of my boys are crying, and my daughter often ends up crying too. I just take a shower at this time while my husband gets ready for bed. By the time I am out of the shower, my 11 month old is asleep, and my 3 year old is either asleep or at least content. My daughter falls asleep shortly afterwards too. The house is quiet.

I am feeling so much better now that I have my room back. I still nurse at night and/or take my son to bed with me if he wakes up really early in the morning. But the boys are adjusting to sharing a room just fine. My advice is to just put the two girls in their room, shut the door, and have a glass of wine. They'll find a way to adjust. Good luck!