How to Handle Bedtime Routine

The 9pm bedtime will be fine. She'll adjust. If she's still sleepy in the morning let her stay asleep until she gets to child care. I often had mom's drop their kids off still asleep and their jammies. When I woke them up for breakfast around 7 or 7:15 they would eat. Once the school kids were off to school I'd give the kiddo a quick shower if they needed it. Some were still in diapers. I had over 50 kids enrolled but as the owner my time was freer that the teachers. It worked out fine for those mom's who had to be at work by 5:30am.

Plunk the newborn in a bouncy chair in the bathroom while you give his sister a bath. This will probably take a little while to get used to, but will be better in the long-run because your daughter will be able to get to bed earlier.

What if you fed your daughter and bathed her BEFORE dad gets home? Then the two of them can hang for a good hour together before she goes to be at 8? It would mean that you and your husband eat dinner after she's in bed, but you could pretend it's a date ;)

Unless she is getting filthy dirty every day, she probably doesn't need a bath every night and you can skip it to get her bed sooner. She also doesn't need to spend an hour in tub every time. If she really needs to be cleaned up, see if you can make it a quick shower instead. Or make bath-time before dinner.

When my hubby works late, I give the kids showers before dinner.

Dinner at 7 was too late for the kids (and me!) so we ate around 5 or 5:30 and did baths while daddy was still getting home, changing and relaxing. Sure, daddy was late and eating leftovers on the couch but the most important thing was everyone's needs were met and we had quality time together as a family. It doesn't always happen around the dinner table, sometimes it happens in the living room.

Some families have the working parent change his or her schedule in the morning, so that they have time when their children are fully awake. So perhaps your husband could get up early with your 3 year old and have special breakfast time together. That's what my Dad did! They could share stories and make plans for one book for that night!

Your DD is 3? You don't say, but saw an older post where you say that....

Dinner earlier, bath earlier, everything ready to go when dad comes in. Putting her to bed is his new routine to spend a little time with her.

The key is routine, a workable routine that is the same regardless of dad's schedule. A few days here and there that are later are fine though.

There's no reason you can't bathe her and keep a newborn. She should be pretty self sufficient at 3, only needing help with her hair.

There are 4/5 days out of the week that my husband only see's the kids long enough to give them a kiss and hug as he walks out the door. It sucks, but it is what it is, he just makes the time he is home count. He understands that routine is important for the kids and for my sanity.

I get the whole family unit eating.. but sometimes you have to split it up. I woudl eat dinner by 5:30, bath and be ready for daddy to come home and play from 7-8.

Make sure daddy had a healthy snack that will last him unti kiddo goes down. Then have him eat dinner. Like a few hand ful of peanuts, or a peanut butter sucker ( bascically a spoon of peanut butter).

What time does daddy leave in the morning? How far away does he work? Maybe you can visit for lunch (it is more time with him.).

In the summer, we are out more and up later. I do try to get the kids down by 8 but latly it has been closer to 8:30. But we come home eat dinner and go to the pool for 30 mins.. quick bath ( I hate leaving the chlorine on them).. and settle down to sleep. Either a quiet show or a few books or both depending on time.

My 3yo DD takes showers with me in the morning. It really smoothed out our bedtime routine. Now, we pick up toys, brush teeth, give goodnight loves, stories, and tuck in.