Hello Friend,

Today I want to share with you a few things that have worked for our family when it comes to bedtime. Let me first say that last year Ava (who was 5 at the time) was going to bed anywhere from 8:00 pm – 11:00pm…. We did not have a routine, rhythm, and to say it plainly, I did not have my shit together!

Buttttt, since last Fall (around Novemberish) we have worked extremely hard to change that. As I dive deeper into the Waldorf homeschooling world, I find that rhythm in all parts of our day are so so important for the girls. This provides them structure and a sense of “everything is good and as it should be”, this also really helps with the flow of things, such as bedtime!

These few things that have helped me the most with getting them ready and in bed before 8:30pm!

Consistency

This is the most important, every night needs to be the same, so they know what to expect next and there is less of a fight to get in the bed laying down.

Allow plenty of time

For us, this starts after dinner, I will put the diffuser on to start the calm down process in the living room. We have a family activity that we do each night (these are the only events that are different each day, but the same each week).

After our family activity the girls spend some time with Shane while I clean the kitchen and get the diffusers set up in their room.

They brush teeth, get PJs on, go potty and get a cup of water to bring in the room.

Once In the bedroom

Their diffuser is already going, but I also like to spray their pillows and dolls with a lavender spray so their snuggle time stays sweet and relaxing.

I then have a lavender roller that we rub on their feet (this turns into  a tickle time for a few moments, but soon changes into a calm down time once I massage the oil into their little feet.) I also rub the roller on their bellies, and foreheads.

I read a book (right now we are currently reading a chapter a night, from the Twenty Jataka Tales)

After that, I turn the lights off and nurse Luna, while singing 3 songs twice.

Once all that is done, I say good night and give them their kisses then leave the door cracked on my way out. Most of the time at least one of them has fallen asleep while the other is very close to drifting off into the dreamworld.

5 Diffusing Blends we use for bedtime

full night’s sleep

• 3 drops lavender
• 4 drops frankincense

shut eye

• 3 drops vetiver
• 5 drops lavender

good night love

• 3 drops lavender
• 3 drops cedarwood
• 4 drops ylang ylang

I hope that these tips and blends help you with your nighttime routine and getting those crazy little ones peacefully in bed night after night!

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