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