For DD we have to keep things consistent (although times of bedtime can change occasionally if we have something on).

So she has tea (usually separate to us because she is tired before daddy gets home so needs an earlier tea which can be anywhere from 5pm. Then it's bath straight after. She gets dressed then we brush her teeth then 'boobie'. I or DH then take her to bed with her 4 'babies' dolls!! Then get her calm and lay her down before we leave if she cries we go back in and ask her what's wrong and does she want a drink etc then tell her its night time (even though it's still daylight) so we tell her the moon is out. Sometimes she will carry on like this for ages other times she sleeps most the night. Occasionally if she won't lie down to go to sleep and nothing seems to be wrong I tell her that she can go out and sleep with the dog if she wants or in her comfy bed (haha tired cranky mum much!) she usually chooses the bed. Although tonight she wanted to go with the dog so I started to take her outside lol and she realised I was serious. I do ask does she want me to stay while she sleeps but she prefers me to leave the room. Ok so none of that is probably helpful but it's what we do. And considering she slept in our bed pretty much up until DS was born she is doing exceptionally well.