08/27/2025
Bedtime routine for large families ➡️➡️
The key is to have a simple and consistent routine and to streamline everyone's bedtime 🌙
Brushing teeth and putting on pajamas is a great signal that we're starting our bedtime routine. Older children can do their own teeth/pajamas while one parent is on teeth brushing duty and the other parent on pajama duty to efficiently move through it.
If you have a baby, put them in a baby wrap, a bouncer, or have an older child play with them for a few minutes.
For Catholic families, the evening routine usually includes the rosary - this is a perfect way to start winding down. Dim the lights and light a candle while you pray as a family.
Baby can be nursed one last time before bed during the family rosary. Toddlers can have their milk bottles plus a quiet toy or books during the rosary.
Baby can go to bed after prayers with one parent putting them down (around 6:30pm).
After the rosary or evening prayer, read a family bedtime story. Let the children take turns choosing between 1-3 books every night (keep a firm boundary otherwise your kiddos will keep asking for more stories to delay bedtime).
Sing a few simple calm songs together like twinkle twinkles while everyone has snuggles on the couch in the dim living room (or on the parents bed if you prefer).
One parent stays with the children in the calm atmosphere while the other parent starts putting the children to bed one at a time giving them that last quality time for a hug and goodnight.
Older children can stay up an extra 30min in their room with a book and then if responsible enough, can do their own lights out or you can use the opportunity to tuck them in and say goodnight.
Does this sound doable as a large Catholic family? The bedtime routine would start at 6pm and everyone would be in bed by 8pm.
Drop your questions in the comments!
Bernie 🩷