When I'm flying solo (which isn't all that often), I bath the kids and take DD2 (16 mths) out first and dress her then I get DD1 out and dress her while DD2 potters around us. Next I get both their milks and we sit in DD1's bed and I read a story or two. DD2 doesn't always sit quietly so I just continue while she wanders around DD1's room. I explain to DD1 that daddy isn't home to help so she needs to be a good girl and be helpful by going to sleep after we brush her teeth. TBH, she's really good with the routine regardless of whether wDH abd I are both home or not. I put her to bed, we all exchange goodnight kisses and that's it. I then take DD2 to her room where she finishes her bottle in her sleeping bag with me cuddling her then I rock her to sleep.

I know, sounds so easy and I get that it's just not that easy for some kids. Some nights they play up but I just tell DD1 very sternly she needs to be the good big sister and I'll give her another cuddle once I'm done with DD2. If DD2 is really trying it on, I leave her for a minute to snuggle DD1 once more before tackling the littlest 'monster' again.