Bedtime. That magical hour when the house is supposed to wind down, lullabies float through the air, and children gently drift off to sleep… HAHAHA. Yeah, no. Welcome to our reality.
Here’s how bedtime typically goes in our house:
6:30 PM – The “5 More Minutes” Debate
We say it’s time for bath. They say they just started playing. One kid is naked in protest, the other is hiding under a blanket fort they just built on the couch. Compromise? Sometimes.
7:00 PM – Bath Time Olympics
Getting both kids clean is a full-contact sport. There’s splashing, a lot of shampoo in eyes, and at least one child trying to escape naked. Pro tip: Use bath crayons to keep them entertained long enough to scrub behind ears.
7:30 PM – Pajamas, Books & Bargaining
Everyone wants the fuzzy PJs that are somehow still in the laundry. We read 1.5 books (because someone interrupts every page) and then get hit with the “but I’m hungry/thirsty/my toe hurts” delay tactics.
8:00 PM – The One Thing That Actually Works
Enter the Toniebox. This magical little speaker lets kids play songs and stories by just popping on a character. It’s calming, interactive, and doesn’t require a screen. It’s been a game-changer in helping our kids unwind—especially when we’re running on fumes. Good idea to work into the “Bedtime routine.”
By 8:30 PM, one of us has fallen asleep on the floor next to the crib, and the other is on Instagram @thetiredcouple sharing the chaos with our community.
Affiliate plug: We’re big fans of the Toniebox for bedtime and the Hatch Rest sound machine for staying asleep. The Hatch bedtime routine has helped tremendously.