Sharing a Room - Manchester,NH

Staggering bedtimes didn't work for us so here's what did. Both of the kids were very excited to share a room but we told them that they would only be allowed to share if they helped each other go to sleep at night. We especially appealed to the older child to be a good example. We have a pretty set bedtime routine and then they are expected to stay in their beds although we do allow them to talk. It took a week of constant vigilance at the door telling one or the other to get back in bed before it really stuck. But since then we rarely have a problem.

You can make it work!

Hi.
I have my children grown now and grandchildren in your same situation.
My son had his own room and two of my girls were less than 2 years apart ( boy in the middle). So I know where you are coming from.
About 15 minutes before bedtime I would start what I called ( Wind down time). A joint activity: pickinh up toys,bringing laundry from the day to the washer, etc. Then we had story time where we sat on one bed and read a short story, gave family hugs, and said pour prayers. I had all three children together at that time, on one bed. Then I would put them in their own beds instead of sending them, that way they got tucked in and kissed. My last child was later in life and we did the same with her and the foster son ( close to her age ).
Hope this helps.
Me

My older two girls are 23 mos. apart and have been sharing a room since the youngest was 9 months. At first it wasn't a problem because they had different bed times, but when they were about the ages of yours and were going down together it became an issue. It's difficult, because they are excited to be together. It's a novelty and understandably fun. Because the 2 year old wasn't really able to understand the idea of consequences or rewards for being quiet we decided to put them down in separate rooms for a time. We'd put our oldest down in our bed and then transfer her as soon as the 2 year old was asleep (they were usually both asleep by then). I can't remember how long that lasted, but at some point they were both really motivated to try out going to bed together and it worked out. When it was too hard for them to calm down, we would move one into our bed 'till they fell asleep. Since we were not in the bedroom with them, it didn't seem to be a problem with them becoming attached to being in our room. They were more keen on being with their sibling. They are 7 and 5 now and love sharing a room. We still have a monitor for them and the conversations we overhear are precious. They are old enough now to respond to having privileges taken away if they won't settle down to go to sleep, but it happens pretty rarely.

Hope this helps. Best of Luck.
A. C

S....my two girls are 18 months apart. Once the baby turned 1 year old, we put them in the same room. It took a couple of weeks of getting used to, but now they've settled in...and bedtime means bedtime (7:30pm). They might giggle and talk for about 5-10 minutes, but after that they usually zonk out. I also play music for them at bedtime (so that they don't hear me doing dishes, laundry, etc.,)something mellow, and not too loud but it seems to help. My only problem is that the baby, now 20 months, is a bit of a Rooster and still gets up around 5:45am!! Luckily I'm the only one bothered by this, her sister sleeps right through...Good Luck!

Have you tried to put the boys down at different times at night? If the bedtimes are spaced out a little more that might make the difference. Also with the 4 year old I would get him up in the morning at the same time every morning and eventually he'll get that he can't stay up fooling around(it will also help him getting up at a certain time when he starts school) I have 3 younger brothers about the same age difference as your sons and if they went to bed at the same time they eould spendforever fooling around. If they went to bed at different times they usually didn't fool around. I hope things work out for you and they start sleeping better.

I agree to stagger the times and the older one needs to go down first. Then when he is asleep, put the other down. You could let the little one sleep in your bed and then move him later if the staggering doesn't work.

I have 4 boys and they are two to a room. My 5 year old and 3 year old share a room and they have a hard time settling down sometimes. I put them to bed staggered. Usually I put my 5 year old to bed first because he falls asleep quickly. Then, when I put my three year old to bed there's no one for him to talk to. Try staggering your boys' bedtimes by 15 minutes or so.

Try a half hour difference between them.
THe younger one first and then the other sooner after.

I agree with staggering but would like to add that giving the boys a bath (lavender helps!) before bedtime would help settle them down. Read a story to oldest child while in bed and while he's falling asleep, read to the second one on the couch and when you're done, he should be ready to tuck in as well. They both get some one-on-one snuggle time with Mom, Mom gets a peaceful evening following! Good luck!