ootdfashionI’ve had a tough week dealing with sleep deprivation and the endless bedtime routines that seem to stretch my patience to the limit. You’d think our routine would be manageable by now, but some nights feel like they could break the strongest of us. The dream of having just a little bit of time for myself in the evening often gets snatched away by the demands of kid-settling. A full day of chasing toddlers and cleaning up crumbs leaves me longing for ten minutes of peace, but instead, I find myself on a constant loop of trips to quiet one screaming toddler and keep the older one from climbing something dangerous.
I’m not complaining, just being real. Most parents I know face the same nightly wrestle. Those fairy-tale advertisements showing peaceful bedtime scenes? They’re a world away from reality where, if you manage to get everyone in bed on time without tears or injuries, you feel like you’ve won a small victory.
On the nights we reach a truce, the kids finally drift to their Slumber Camp while I retreat to the Kitchen Camp, exhausted from attempts to manage two baby monitors while cooking. My evenings consist of trekking up and down the stairs, lugging everything from water bottles to storybooks, all before I can even think about eating dinner or starting my personal bedtime routine.
My own bedtime never goes smoothly either. I’m constantly losing and finding things like my phone or car keys, all while trying to relax. It seems like every little task takes forever, and before I know it, I’m up late into the night doing pointless things, like reading reviews of local safari parks.
Adding another layer of chaos is Ted’s 18-month “sleep regression.” His random wake-ups come just as I’m drifting off, bringing an epic three-hour battle against screams and attempts to soothe him. By morning, I feel hungover and guilty about being less patient than I’d like during the night. Parents understand—it’s almost impossible to stay calm when you’re sleep-deprived and your child is echoing wails through the house.
What I intended as a nice bedtime post has turned into an honest account. I’d love to say some magical bedtime spray solved our problems, but that would be misleading. Honestly, I spray Angelica’s pillow as part of our routine, and although she still makes bedtime requests, she does at least associate the scent with sleep. I use Bloom & Blossom’s Dream Catcher’s Spray, thanks to its lovely scent and creative collaboration with the Roald Dahl Story Company, which adds a magical twist to the bedtime routine.
The Bath, Book & Bedtime range promotes a positive bedtime routine with products inspired by “The BFG” and features charming Quentin Blake illustrations. Although the nights are rarely straightforward, I cherish how this routine brings a bit of magic to the chaos.
You can find this range at Waitrose, with sleep spray priced at £9.99 and other gentle bath products at £4.99. They’re friendly for sensitive skin like Angelica’s, adding to their appeal.
Now, I’m off for a nap. Anyone else dealing with the notorious “18-month sleep regression”? I’d love to hear your tips!
