Toddlers Sharing a Room and Playing Instead of Sleeping

I have had to change my kids' routines a few times since they started sharing. They are 20 months apart and started sharing when the younger was a year old. Originally it was easier to put the little one down and bring the older one up when his brother was sleeping since he would whisper and try not to "wake up the baby." Once he realized how fun it was to jump in the crib and wake his brother up, we had to change things again. Sometimes we've put them down at the same time, but usually since my oldest no longer naps (he's 4 now) I put him down first, give him 20 to 30 minutes to fall asleep (he is usually out in about 15) and then bring his brother up. I would put the soundest sleeper to bed first and wait if you don't want them playing. If they play for a while and still fall asleep at a decent time though I would let them play. Mine tend to get too rowdy with jumping between the beds, stripping their beds, emptying dresser drawers (I think they share bad ideas when they are left to their own devices) and then it takes at least an hour or two longer to get them both to sleep. Not worth it to me. They also love sharing a room and I don't think they would want their own even if we had another one. =)

When my son turned 2 in Nov. he started sharing a room with his 4 yo brother. I preped him for it by having them take naps together in the room before the official move. They did the same thing - talking, laughing and jumping on the bed. I threatened my 2 yo with a return to the crib, which was enough to settle him down. And threatened my 4 yo with the loss of toys if he didn't stop playing and go to sleep. Good luck :)

My twin girls are almost 3 and have shared a room since birth. Once we moved to twin beds we definately had some trouble. I tried staying in the room but that only added fuel to the fire. I finally set down my rule for bedtime, very simple, stay in your bed and lay your head down. I didn't worry about the talking but would go in and remind if they got out of bed. They eventually learned to lay down and stay in bed. Sometime they talk before falling asleep - especially at nap but usually they fall asleep. I suggest you set up a simple rule or two that works for you and stick to it. Go in and remind them of the rule if they break it.

If they like sleeping in the same room and you can do it, you migh set up a bed in the other room and have going back to the other room as a consequence for not following the bedtime rule. I told mine they would go back in their crib if they couldn't stay in bed - had them set up in the other room just in case. I never had to do it but they knew I could.

It might take a few weeks of crazy bedtime but they should improve eventually.

Did they just change rooms? Could take time to adjust to the new situation. My daughter went to a toddler bed when she was 18 months b/c her crib was one of the recalled death traps and she would play before bed for a while and after a while she'd just start going to bed. I'm sure it would've been a longer process for her if she has someone to play with. When I was younger me and my friend would get in trouble at midnight because we were all hyper :D