Anyone have tips for siblings sharing a room?

[sophiems]

I'm not sure if this is a good spot for this question, mod feel free to move me if not. 

I have a 4.5 yr old and an almost 2 yr old.  We have moved them into the same room, for a variety of reasons, basically overall it will work better (that is if it actually worked well...).  For a while it was going ok, they liked the novelty but still kind of did their own thing.  Now, it's just turning into chaos and seems to start even with the bedtime routines.  They just frankly get completely silly and rile each other up to the point where no one is sleeping.  We do to's for our older one and sometimes that works, but then usually when he starts being quiet, the younger will take up the slack and just go crazy.  Jumping in the crib, laughing, saying silly words (like 'stinky') to make his brother erupt into giggles, whatever.  Alone they have no problems.  For nap, they go down separately since the older one takes a much shorter nap and much later.  But at bedtime, usually they go at teh same time. 

So, anyone have any bright ideas?  I'm tired of spending an hour at bedtime....

[Deb_in_oz]

not sure as we are in a similar boat - the girls have been sharing for about 3 1/2 weeks now and it is going great except that bedtime takes a lot longer for us  - very drawn out.  they thankfully rarely talk once in bed (an occassional giggle) but when they wake in the mornign we all know about it as they start clapping and singing and making up games immediately!  last night was the first night we had both  in bed before 8pm  and it went smoother - we started getting ready earlier and i think that is just our only solution for now - build in time for them to get the sillies out before they get into bed.

[jennyh]

lurking,cos i am gonna have to do this

[Fife_Mum]

I would recommend starting bedtime earlier and leaving them to it... My 2 have been in together since DD was about 9 months. It has got much easier over time, but they do tend to interact more now. DD is still in a cot - soon to move to a bed and I have a feeling that will make it much harder again... Another thing I do is to give them both some books (after the teeth, wash, PJ & story routine) and leave the curtains ajar for chill-out time before I sneak in and shut the curtain or go in a remove the books & tell them it is time to sleep! The rule is that they have to stay in bed though.

[sophiems]

I think the ideas of building in silly time to their routine is a good idea.  It's just so hard because with summer time stuff it seems like we're rushing through to get them to bed on time as it is.  But I think that you all have good ideas about that.  We'll start there.  Well, after this weekend, we'll be out of town for a few days, all sleeping in the same hotel room, so that should be interesting.   

As well, we are looking forward to #3, and so soon Luke will be moving to a toddler bed which I'm sure will be a big adjustment.  Oh, this is fun!   

[Deb_in_oz]

we're doing the toddler bed soon too - we can be in this fun time together    have a good time away - our next family holiday is in november