How do you get 2 kids to bed without duct tape or velcro suits and sheets?

[HotI]

Also my SIL was having a lot of trouble with her 2yo & went to a toddler sleep seminar. One thing they warned her about was over stimulation (eg. TV/movies/news programs) easily over stimulate toddlers & kids. It was suggested at least 30min quiet before bedtime.

I think that can be an issue here, we try to ditch the tv but sometimes the two of them just stimulate each other. I need to separate them, but don't really want to rely on screens. One of my friends (chippyrabbit!) bored them to sleep singing 100 green bottles. Maybe i should try that more often.

Last night went well, DS had a nap in the afternoon so i got to spend some time just with DD. Bit of fun (painting the cubby), bit of exercise, and she fell asleep on the couch with a heated blanket while i was feeding DS. Worked well, cos when i put DS to bed, he woke and i had to lay with him for awhile.

Thanks for all the ideas, i will find something that works here.

[Jellyfish]

The first thing I do when I know I will be doing the nights alone is have a really big day, so lots of running around outside. I also try and make sure naps are early or skipped if the child is okay.

We eat dinner which is prepared earlier, shower together then all hop in the one bed for stories while DD2 feeds to sleep. Then I transfer DD2 to our room and come back to DD1. If DD2 is resisting sleep then I will put on a CD of music or a story for DD1 and settle DD2 elsewhere. I always do DD2 first as DD1 can understand waiting and being quiet.

I do it alone 3 nights a week and it can be rough