Is it not OK to knock on a neighbour's door, say you thought you heard a small one there and you have a small one too, fancy a cuppa some time and let the children play?

FWIW, Liebling used to scream that I should open the door. It because he wouldn't get out of bed without it, and he decided he needed the loo for the third time that evening (ie to play up). He has never gone to sleep happily, even now. No matter which one of us puts him to bed. And he will scream blue murder at bedtime some nights still. And I would class myself as a fairly responsive and loving carer.