It’s another ROUTINE post!
Last month, I started a new series where I share one of our “routines”. I kicked it off with…
…my MORNING ROUTINE.
In that post, I took you from 4:40 AM to about 11:30 AM on a typical weekday. You can read all about that HERE.
Today, I’m going to share our BEDTIME ROUTINE because…we’re gotten it down so well that’s it’s pretty much ruined us. Ha!
Let’s start with the kids’…
…we are a very active bunch. At night, if we don’t have some sort of practice, we’re typically outside playing. On this particular night, we had gone to the neighborhood park to play. When we were done, it was time to come home and get ready for bed.
The three big kids go upstairs and bathe themselves and get their pjs on. Madeley still takes a bath down in our bathroom every night. She ALWAYS lays out her pajamas before she gets in tub. Ha!
Andrew typically has always bathed the kiddos before bed. He’s down to his last one. 🙁
Depending on what time it is, we like to watch one show before bed. Andrew and I really like it when it’s a show the whole family can enjoy (like The Voice or America’s Got Talent). Madeley really wanted to scoot close to me taking this pic…I kept saying “I don’t see your face!” and she kept laughing.
Nighttime cuddles with Frenchie Macaroon!
The kiddos sleep two and two. On this night, Kensington, Ashby and Frenchie all slept on the bottom bunk while…
Madeley and Smith slept in his room.
The goal is that everyone is in bed by 8:30 on school nights. They all have their favorite pillows and blankets, plus now, we’re using diffusers in each room along with sound machines (more about that below!).
Here we are “asleep” in our own bed. Hahaha! This makes me laugh! Andrew and I now have like a 21 step process before we go to bed and because of that, we’re sleeping like we’ve never slept before BUT that sure does make it hard for us when we travel. #becausennowwearespoiled
Two years ago, Andrew and I needed a new mattress, so we bought one…and hated it. Sigh. They wouldn’t let us return it for 30 days, and by the time that was up, I was sleeping on the couch over sleeping on that darn mattress. So, after that, we had to pick yet another one and we (begrudgingly) went to…
Friends, I don’t know why, but we thought Sleep Number beds were dumb.
And we WERE SO FREAKING WRONG.
We immediately fell in love with our new bed (I blogged the details HERE), and that was the start of our high maintenance bedtime routine. Sigh. Again.
After I talked about the bed and how much better we were sleeping, you guys started making other recommendations and now, we have like a 20 minute routine. Just Kidding. Sort of. Not really.
Here’s what we do each night…
…we start those DIFFUSERS! We became “oily” people this year and honest to goodness, are sleeping LIKE ROCKS. We love these diffusers the most for many reasons (they’re small, they put out oils all night long intermittently, you can use the light and change it to like 20 colors or keep the light off, and so on). We started with one, but now, we each have one next to our sides of the bed. We add a little lavender and a little thieves into each one. We’re sleeping so well with our diffusers that we…
…even took one on vacation with us. #sigh (You can read my whole “oil” post HERE.)
So, step 1: we love our bed.
Step 2: we love our diffusers.
Step 3:…
…we like a really cold room with a lot of blankets. Anyone else? We keep it at like 67 and then sleep under FIVE blankets along with our MY PILLOWS. Have you tried a My Pillow?! I was suuuuuuuper skeptical when they arrived because they’re lumpy. Lumpy? Yes, lumpy, but amazing!!! I really can’t even describe them because they’re the oddest things, but I sleep so well when I have them, and then, when I travel and have to sleep on a normal pillow (otherwise known as one that isn’t lumpy), I’m always so sad.
I took this pic the next morning after Andrew had already gotten up, but look! Two things, one, the diffuser is still going all of those hours later and two, the iPhone stand there (I talked about those last week) typically holds his phone that plays our…sound machine. Hahaha! We’re so weird. Who else spent years listening to baby monitors that carried the sound machine noise into your room, and then, when you didn’t need the baby monitor any longer you realized you were so used to sleeping with a sound machine (on accident mind you) that you started listening to one in your room too? Anyone else? We use a basic white noise app for our sound.
Great bed, diffusers, lots of blankets, cold temps, a lumpy pillow and ambient noise all make us happy sleepers…but before we go to sleep…
…our routine always consists of a little funny TV (I like to watch/listen to something lighthearted before bed) and a good book 🙂 .
That’s a little look at our bedtime routines! Tell me one thing you have to do before bed! I posted this on Instagram the other day, but I CANNOT sleep unless I shave my legs. It doesn’t matter what time it is, if I’m not feeling well or whatever, I MUST shave my legs before climbing into bed. I am so weird. You guys tell me what you do to get ready for bed. I would love to hear!!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Such a fun routine – albeit a long one, haha! I always have to arrange my pillows and my one doll a certain way on my bed before I can sleep comfortably. A little OCD of me, but whatever, haha! 😛
–
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Carly says
Whatever works! Do you still burn your candles during the day? I’ve heard it’s a big no no but no one will confirm for me!
Mix and Match Mama says
I do!!
Julie says
Carly, why are candles a “big no”? I must know…..I love them.
Robin says
We switch to a “red” light to read by and have our computer monitor set up to switch to red tones when the sun sets (in case we want to watch a show). The “red” lights promote sleep whereas the standard lights/TVs/phone screens are typically blue light which promotes wakefulness. It took some adjusting on my part because the lighting is different, but it’s a game changer! We make a point to shut off the regular lights and switch to red lights by 9 or so, earlier if we can.
Tisha says
I do the same with my Kindle Fire. Mine is set to switch over at 8p.m.
Erika Slaughter says
Thanks to his buddy, Andrew, that sound machine app is a staple for Tab too. And I have a hard time falling asleep without it on!
Ella says
Same! I ALWAYS sleep with a noise machine! It is AMAZING!! If you have an “Alexa” then try saying “play white noise” or “play brown noise”, and that is a great substitution!
Emily Firko says
I got one of these diffusers and love it! However, mine only goes for maybe 5-6 hours. What am I doing wrong? I think I usually select the red light for the two diffusing timed options!?
Mix and Match Mama says
We use the green light!!
Emily Firko says
Okay thanks so much! : )
Sara says
Emily, you probably have it running constantly instead of intermittent! ?
Miranda Foster says
We bath both kids, read a book, sing a song, say our positive affirmations to each child. They are 1 and 3. I wash my face, put on my creams, and often lay on a heating pad for a few minutes. We still have a baby monitor and I now need white noise also. I live lots of warm blankets!
Julie C. says
Oh my gosh, we are still using the baby monitor for the sound machine…my son is 10!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!! When people find out why we still have the monitor, they look at me like a total crazy person. I am so glad we aren’t the only people that use the monitor for that reason!!!!! Thank you for making me feel “normal” 😉
Jen says
The Amazon pic shows it blue and white. Is it just display the led light? $12.99 model
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s just the display color, we keep our light turned off.
Beth says
Madeley looks so cute peeking out of the tub! Girl my skin is way too sensitive to shave every day. I wish I could! Do you have any secrets on using certain shaving gel?!
Mix and Match Mama says
I use just normal body wash. It’s a weird, mental thing FOR SURE!
Sheaffer Sims says
I’m SO HIGH MAINTENANCE at bedtime. I must have it cold, with air circulating, and background noise. I also travel with my pillows. When we go to the ranch, I take the pillow I lay my head on (it’s super flat) AND I take the pillow that I throw my leg over (it’s much fluffier). Do you know I took my head pillow to Mexico and New York? I also ordered a small fan off Amazon and took it to Mexico. Like I said, it’s both about the air circulation AND the noise. The funny thing is, I can fall asleep ANYWHERE. Like I could fall asleep on a futon in the middle of a frat party in college and probably still could. But a quiet room with no air circulation? NO M’AM. #ifullyrealizeisoundcrazy
Bethany says
Yes, a fan is a must!!
Emily says
You definitely aren’t crazy! We sleep with a box fan on high pointed into our closet for “white” noise and i can’t sleep on any other pillow other than my own. So when we travel i always always bring my pillow (never mind that it takes up over half of my suitcase) and we have either called ahead to where we will be staying to see if they have a fan or we will bring our own smaller fan or we will buy a cheap one when we get to our destination. Sleeping in silence is not gonna happen but i could totally fall asleep like you Shaeffer in the middle of a loud crowded room. Silence is deafening to us lol!
Tisha says
I also travel with my pillows (3) and have to have a fan for noise and circulation in addition to the ceiling fans. #sleepdiva
Narci says
I love these routine posts! How fun! I put lavender on my pillow case! It helps me sleep so well!
tara smith says
I started using wool dryer balls from Trader Joe’s and sprinkled them with lavender oil before drying blankets. It is so calming!
Susan says
I also have my diffuser going every night and must fall asleep with the tv on. I have a new favorite nighttime routine and it is Trader Joe’s rose facial oil and hand cream. The facial oil is amazing!
Mix and Match Mama says
I need to try that oil!
Ashley says
What brand of oils do you use and where do you purchase them from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Young Living!!
tara smith says
I am happy to help you with the oils I’d you don’t have someone. I use young living as well.
Heather says
I have to ask, do all of your kids usually sleep through the night? (And if so, please tell me what magic unicorn solution you’ve used to make that happen!) ?
Mix and Match Mama says
They do, but they’re older! I don’t think we do anything special…I just think they’re tired and ready for sleep. When my kiddos used to fight sleep, I realized it was time for them to stop napping. Madeley still naps and goes to sleep, but the minute she has problems falling asleep, we’ll cut out the nap.
Cynthia Binari says
What time do you start your routine, and what time do you actually have lights out? And with the kids- do they use diffusers, sound machines, etc?
Our bedtime routine is a bit of a struggle right now! We have three kids (5, 2.5 and 9 months). I get home from work around 5:30/6 and we have dinner. Trying to fit everything in by 8 is hit or miss, but usually we watch a “family” show, while I nurse the baby, then upstairs for a book and bed (My husband and I switch off putting the baby to bed and our older two). Every other night we do baths and usually skip the show or watch tv in our bed and skip stories. I’d like to get some more consistency, but we’re in what I call the “trenches” with 3 little ones, so it works for now I guess! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Girl, you are in the trenches!! I would say it varies when we start. Some nights, we have sports, so the “routine” is done more quickly and then other nights, we stay in and can start it earlier.
Francesca says
My husband and son both have My Pillows. They love them! I however have some weird ergonomic neck pillow from IKEA. It’s hard and semi forms to my neck. It’s called Rolleka and I think I’m the only one who likes it. ??♀️
Robin Firestone says
I have to have the air down to 65 and my fan on – it does not matter how cold it is outside, I always have my fan on! If we travel by car, the fan goes with us – LOL!
Amy Heinl says
I use a diffuser too and always have to have a small fan running for the noise diffusing as well
Elissa says
I’m in love with My Pillows too and they make travel ones! I bring it with me on all trips and I’ve even started sleeping with them (I have two!) on either side of me at home too.
Kristen Thompson says
This is probably weird but I have to wash my feet on nights I don’t shower before bed! I can’t get into bed unless my feet are squeaky clean lol!
Marcela says
Yeeess! Especially in the summer time!
Laci says
Me too Kristen!
Gina says
Oh same here and put lotion on them.
Annie says
I think My Pillow makes a travel pillow. Could you use that?
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve seen those. I already feel like I over-pack, but I’m so tempted to get them too!
Brittany B says
We also use diffusers in each bedroom at night. I rub oils on my kids’ feet after they go to bed. Not each kid every night but usually at least one of them depending on if they are anywhere close to sick, stuffed up, etc.. Having a comfy bed is the BEST!
Molly says
I started my own business in October and struggled with sleep for months after that. Then I started using a diffuser next to my bed and I rub some lavender on my temples and feet! People think I’m crazy but I swear by it! I also can’t sleep if I have any clutter in my room. It drive me nuts to be in bed and know there’s a mess!
Amanda Wilson says
This is hilarious….
Do you think it’s because we are getting older?? I need my body pillow that’s my sleep staple!! I love to travel but I am definitely finding that I miss my bed! I have brought my diffuser to hotels. I didn’t think you were allowed the, on the Disney cruise or I would have!
Elspeth Mizner says
Love the routine. I’m the same way, in my 20’s i have a more complex routine than when i was a child. Diffusers are such a life saver too!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Karen says
What time do your kids have to get up for school? We have to be at school by 7:30 in the morning (!!!) thankfully its in our neighborhood we can leave at 7:27 if we drive haha. I only have one in elementary school and she is starting to get into lots of after school activities so its been tough balancing activities, family time and getting her enough sleep! I also have a preschooler and a new baby so its chaos all the time anyway.
Mix and Match Mama says
They get up at 6:30 and don’t have to be there until 8:00.
Erin says
I always fall asleep to Friends on the TV and then when my husband comes to bed he turns the the off. I like going to bed with a smile on my face.
Lauren says
Do your kids really just fall asleep together? My boys just share a room and a bunk bed and it’s usually like a wrestling match before bed?!?
Mix and Match Mama says
There is chatter before they go to sleep, but yes, they always sleep together.
Tina Spork says
I LOVE THIS sooooo much, One of my major parenting regrets, is not letting my kids sleep together! How dumb, because they were different genders?! My older girl was an anxious baby/kid and my son was a chill/relaxed kid. I found her many times snuggled up to him in the morning, precious! They are only 21 months apart, so very close in age. Now, I just kick myself for not seeing such an obvious solution! My daughter is now 25/nurse/ engaged/former nanny, we have talked at length about the benefits of kids co-sleeping, and she plans on that! Anyhow, thanks for just dropping that bit of info without some long winded explanation, because there is literally nothing to explain. I don’t think we were ever meant to sleep alone. As my 3 year old daughter used to say, late at night in my bedroom, “Why do the grownups get to sleep together while the children have to sleep alone? “ kudos to you Shay!
Beth Miller says
I’m pretty much the same!!! I’m SO spoiled by our Sleep Number bed! I went to the beach last week and slept terrible on a bunk bed mattress. It was awful! I do use a Sleep Number pillow and take it everywhere I go! I’ve been using a sound machine for as long as I can remember. The louder the better! I basically want it to sound like an airplane landing while I sleep! It blocks out all the “house noise” and my kids sleep with one too.
Joy says
Love your night routine! I can’t go to bed without a shower and a snacK. Cheese and crackers or a slice of turkey and cheese are my staple items.
Jenn says
So personal question- do you shave every single night? Are you showering/bathing every night? And then again after the gym during the day? Why are shower routines and timing so hard and complicated? ??
Mix and Match Mama says
I shower/bathe every single night. Most of the time, after I workout, I shower as well…but I didn’t yesterday. I just wore my workout clothes all day and looked like a hot mess. Sigh.
Connie says
What kind of razor do you use to shave your legs every night? Ever since those Personal Touch razors disappeared a few years ago, I have not found one that I really like. Those were my favorite for years. Venus is close though. ?
Mix and Match Mama says
Like just a normal Bic one…nothing fancy!
Alice says
You need to look into the Dollar Shave Club! I believe I do the 5 blade one and it is the best. Just be careful when you first start to use it. LOL!
Jessica says
Have you always had your kids fall asleep on their own (without you laying with them)? We have a 4 and 2 yo and baby #3 arrives next week. If we don’t lay with our kids to get them to fall asleep they throw a big fit and keep getting out of their beds. Especially the 2 yo, the 4 yo will cry but stay in bed. They want to be snuggled. I hate the idea of locking them in there. I feel like we’ve created a mess with bedtime snuggles. 🙁
Mix and Match Mama says
We have always let them fall asleep on their own. It’s always worked well for us and they’ve been great sleepers.
tara smith says
I have to lay with mine too.
Every kid is different and I’m hoping by time she is 5/6 she may be ok to go to sleep without me laying with her but I don’t see that happening really!
Tina Spork says
Honestly, my advice…similar to what Shay does, let them sleep together! It solves all the problems and trust me they won’t want to sleep together forever!
Chrissy says
I always take a shower at night, it may be my 1st of the day or my 3rd. But always right before I climb into bed.
Robin says
We have a plug in fan we use in room and all the kids room for white noise! I can’t sleep without it. When we travel I have to bring a smaller one to put in my suitcase or I will be up all night!!!
Ella says
Same! I absolutely LOVE having a noise machine when I fall asleep. I’ve had one my whole life! It helps as a way to block out distractions, and it makes me sleep more soundly! I also love to use oils! I’ve never been a good sleeper, and oils help me to relax. And a cold room to sleep in is HEAVEN!! 🙂
tara smith says
Get laser hair removal! I did it 10 years ago and never shaved again!
Alexis fleming says
They make a small travel my pillows. I have a regular size one for home but I found the travel size last year before my long plane ride to Australia and I was worried about sleeping. It can fit in your suitcase and you can lay it on top of the pillow in the hotel. I got mine at bed bath and beyond.
Holley Cavaliere says
We LOVE our nighttime routine! Starting right after dinner, we do showers/baths, iron our clothes for the next day, say our prayers, and put our baby down. My husband and I love our time downstairs just hanging out before we go to bed. When we go to bed we definitely have our white noise machine going. And weirdly I HAVE to have a glass of water by my bedside and take a least one sip before going to sleep. So silly!
We need a new bed so badly. We’ll be checking out the sleep number when we shop! Thanks Shay! Love reading your blog!!
Lee Ann says
We have to have our separate tower fans…..for coolness and the noise! It’s too quiet without it!
Casey says
Step 1: turn thermostat way down to 64
Step 2: turn on diffuser & set to 6 hours (so I don’t have to turn off in the morning). I diffuse Lavender, Cedarwood, 7 Roman Chamomile.
Step 3: My skin care routine
Step 4: Get in bed, put Thieves on the bottom of my feet, then body butter that I made. Run my Tranquil roller from shoulder to shoulder, put chapstick on.
Step 5: Rain, Rain app on my phone & plug phone into my alarm clock & turn down the light.
Step 6: Sleep like the dead until 5:30a
For those asking about candles, they are full of toxic chemicals & carcinogens. Here is a great article: https://wellnessmama.com/22656/dont-use-scented-candles/
Claire says
I am so curious how you know you know how much water to put in your diffusers? Do you change it each night or leave the water for several days? I always hate when I want to diffuse a different oil but I still have oil/water leftover, it seems like a waste!
Mix and Match Mama says
There is a fill line! We always let it go until it’s finished.
Angela Lang says
We, too, got used to the sleep sounds machines when our kiddos were little and now none of us can sleep without white noise. We even had a white noise machine in our pop up camper! We use the iPhone app when we travel, but now we just tell Alexa to “play white noise” in our rooms each night.
Susan Reed says
Yes to the shaven legs for sure!! I must be clean and my legs must be shaved. Every. Single. Night!! 🙂 And my hair must be up in a bun so my neck can breathe, ha!
Leah R says
OK you’re bedtime routine is the EXACT same as my husband and mine. When we first got married two years ago I thought he was CRAZY for keeping the house at 67…growing up in So Cal we never turned the AC on we just slept with window open because it was so nice outside. I didn’t realize HOW NICE it was to sleep with it so cold though…especially in Texas!!!
The only thing i add to my bed time routine is slathering on a Vitamin C cream on my face and putting Lavender Essential oil on my cuticles! I look like a slip n slide by the time I am in bed! HA!
Shelbie Fitch says
That picture of Madeley before bath time is tooooooo precious!!! And Kensington in the big char looks just like a mini Shay! You have the prettiest little girls!
Tara G. says
I like the pillows on my sofa fluffed & in place.
Do you have glass tops on your nightstands? Has the diffuser mist messed with the wood if not?
Mix and Match Mama says
We don’t and it has not!
Julie says
I had to comment-you’re reading a Peachtree Bluff book-yay! I just finished the last one. I love those Murphys. Don’t you want to go to Peachtree? And have coffee at Kyle’s? I just started one of your all-time favorites, ‘Secret Life of Violet Grant.’ A little off topic from bedtime routines, but I was excited to see that book. And I’m a person who could fall asleep standing up, with children hanging off of me with a rock concert in the background, ;), so I’ve never had a real routine. I love hearing about others routines though!
Taylor says
Yes yes yes to a cold room! I sleep terribly if I don’t have a fan on. So terribly that last week when I laid down at 9pm and saw that my fan wouldn’t turn on, I changed out of my pajamas and drove to Target to get a new fan haha.
Kimberly says
We use our Amazon Echo for our white noise– they have so many different options. We like “rain sounds” the best and it plays for 2 hours unless we ask for it to play all night. It’s really helped us fall asleep quickly! We’ve also installed all Samsung light bulbs so we can ask Alexa to turn off all lights straight from bed without worrying we left a light on in another room.
Nicole says
Do you or your kids have bedtime snacks?
Mix and Match Mama says
It depends. If we eat early and then they go play volleyball/baseball games or we play hard outside, then yes!
Lauren Palmer says
I love that your kids get under the coffee table. Mine do that too, and I’m like, why are you under there? They just lay there. It’s so weird! 🙂
Kara B. says
Try dropping some Lavender oil in your detergent when you wash your sheets. Not only does it help clean well, i e noticed they feel extra fresh and soothing when I do that!
Robin says
Dohm sound machine! Look it up–they are amazing.
Megan says
We always have a family prayer and then I sing each kiddo a song in their own room. I get breakfast items out and ready for next morning, read from my bible, write in my gratitude journal and use Shea nut oil on my legs, feet, arms, hands 🙂
Kayla A Bruce says
Haha. I’m so glad I’m not the only one! I literally say to my husband: “I have to do the routine” as we get into bed. I put on chapstick and lotion once I’m in bed, as well as wrist braces. We use a fan for white noise and air circulation. I also always diffuse YL lavender oil next to my bed! One note: my YL provider did say that some oils are not safe to diffuse with dogs, just FYI. I do think Thieves and lavender are fine. We also LOVE our Tuft & Needle mattress and really nice pillows from BB&B. Now that I’m pregnant, a memory foam body pillow is also a must!
Kelly Davis says
We are the same , even watching funny videos , but we use an air purifier so there is white noise sndnclean air ! And no diffuser, although we love oils… just because we sleep so well already!
Lauren West says
I also must have my diffuser, a sound machine (like an actual machine, not at app), and my own certain pillows! I also must have the comforter of my bed folded a certain way or it feels weird on my feet. So silly, I know! I am a newlywed and this routine baffled my husband for like the first 2 weeks we were married. Now, he is giddy when I ask him to fix the diffuser for the night! HAHA
Mikala says
I also use oils, a good pillow, and a sound machine. This Marpac Noise Machine is the BEST! The guy invented it years ago by first putting a metal dog bowl over a motor! It is a real mechanical sound rather than electronically produced, and it is like the sleep-whisperer!!
https://www.amazon.com/Marpac-Classic-Noise-Machine-Renewed/dp/B07PS2MCVJ/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=marpac&qid=1558021152&s=beauty&sr=1-4-catcorr
Tori says
Shay, you should try the Marpac Dohm white noise machine. I have slept with noise for as long as I can remember and this thing is the best of all options. My husband used to hate it but now can’t sleep without it. When we travel we use the Marpac Rohm portable sound machine. All 4 of my kids love them as well!!
Laura says
Girl life is too short not to invest in a my pillow
travel pillow!
https://www.qvc.com/MyPillow-Set-of-2-Roll-%26-Go-Travel-Pillows.product.H212324.html
Colleen says
Love this post! It’s so fascinating to see what people do to help them fall asleep. I also have gotten into oil diffusers! I got one for Christmas with a variety of oils, and I have it in my bedroom. I typically do lavender and peppermint and sleep like a dream!
Annie says
Did you know the MY PILLOW has a travel pillow? I have taken mine with me all over the world and am so happy that I can sleep good everywhere now!!
SHAWNEE PEACOCK says
I have an old feather pillow that goes everywhere with me and I can NOT sleep without it. It’s been to Hawaii, Cabo twice, NYC and the beach (Gulf Shores & Destin) several times. I don’t sleep on it, I sleep with it and I have to have it. No feather pillow, no sleeping for me. I’m a weirdo!
Eunice says
Where do you fit in your brownie before bed?! 🙂 I love a good routine!
Mix and Match Mama says
Good question! After the kids are in bed.
Yvonne says
I have to use my diffuser every night too! My latest oil combo for sleep is 3 drops Cedarwood and 2 Lavender. It is a good one for sleep! I use the Young Living oils too. Great stuff.
Shannon Leyerle says
We bought weighted blankets a few months ago, and my husband and I really like them. I bought two twins so that it would be easier to adjust them. My husband pulls his all the way up, but I double mine over and just keep it on my legs. I do think they help us sleep better. And FYI – I found mine on Amazon and read the reviews really carefully.
Pam Saltmarsh says
Shannon, what kind of weighted blanket did you buy? I bought one on Amazon, and it was WAY too heavy! Am sending it back.
Madita Geist says
Love reading your routine posts! Would love to read about your dog routine as well 🙂
Laurel M says
If you shave nightly you MUST try a Billie razor! Like I won’t take no for an answer! It’s sliiiiightly more than a pack of Bics but SO worth it. I don’t shave daily but maybe 4x/ week because I love my Billie so much! Before bed I listen to an audiobook with a coloring app!
Charly says
Do your girls wash their own hair?? We’re struggling with this at our house. Makes for a crazy bedtime!!
Mix and Match Mama says
The two older ones do!!
Kristin says
Nothing at all to do with your post, but a featured article in Yahoo today was titled “5,000 Amazon users agree that Revlons One Step Hair Dryer is “Life Changing”. It seriously must be that good and I need to get one!
Mix and Match Mama says
Really?! No way!!
Kristin says
Here’s your article. Lol
https://www.yahoo.com/now/amazon-users-agree-that-revlons-hair-dryer-is-life-changing-144300272.html
Emily says
Oh my goodness!! I do exactly the same thing. I have to always shower and shave my legs before bed. . .. it doesn’t even matter what time it is .. . . it’s a MUST. Whew! I’m glad I’m not the only one 🙂
Emily Sarmiento says
Also, one more thing . . .I always sleep on a silk pillowcase!! I love it!
Shirley says
We started using a sound machine for our first baby (who is 24 now!) when our next door neighbor started parking his semi in their driveway that was about 10 feet away from our son’s and our bedroom windows! He, of course, had to leave in the middle of the night (RUMBLE, RUMBLE, with a LOT of GUNNING THE ENGINE!!) To make matters even worse, in the winter, he would start that thing up at 9:00 or 10:00pm and leave it running until he left (in the middle of the night), I assume to keep it warm! If you know anything about diesel vehicles (I grew up on a farm!), even when they idle, they are still LOUD! Our firstborn was a very light sleeper and the sound machine was a lifesaver to keep him asleep. THEN, we thought, why don’t we get one for us too? And so began our 24+ years of everyone sleeping with sound machines all the time (we simply started off our youngest (now 21) with it when he was born). We can’t sleep very soundly without them! At home, we use the Marpac classic white noise machines from Amazon and if we have a long driving trip planned, we just haul them with us. If we are flying or don’t have room to take them, we use a white noise sound machine app (appropriately titled, Sound Machine) on our cell phones. It’s not quite as good as the Marpac in our opinions, but it gets the job done – ie: much better sleep! So YES YES YES….. gotta love sound machines!
Shirley says
One more quick bedtime routine that I did with my boys FOREVER…. We loved the book, “Love You Forever.” It has a little phrase that the mommy says to her child every night as she rocks him to bed that goes, “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” I made up a tune to that phrase and it became the last thing I sang to my kiddos every night. When my sons got a little older, they would sing it with me and where I say, “baby,” they would say, “Mommy,” We sang it together until they left the house for college. It’s still a sweet memory for all of us! And if you don’t have the book, get it! It’s one of our very favorites! I have two new copies waiting to give to my boys when they eventually have children of their own.
Patty says
Oils, Rosebud Salve on my lips and then Running Daddy and I are super into our lavender eye pillows.
Patty
Goodbetterbestfood.blogspot.com
Peggy K. says
I cannot get into bed until I moisturize my feet and put lip balm on my lips. LOL
Sara McQ says
You’re reading the peachtree bluff series!!!! (insert praise hands!!!!) I told you last book review day that I felt so strongly about you reading it so it made me SO HAPPY to see those names on your kindle – ha! Hope you’re LOVING it! Try a drop or two of YL gentle baby or cedarwood along with the lavender in your diffuser – game changer!
TriciaR says
I feel so….boring!! I wash my face, brush and floss, then lay down and am asleep in minutes. No noise, no oils, no special pillows. My son is a teenager so he comes and kisses me goodnight LOL. Though I guess if I do find myself having trouble sleeping I can come here for plenty of ideas!
Colleen says
That hair dryer is life changing. I got it a few months ago based on the recommendation and seeing that many positive reviews and it is amazing. I haven’t gotten into diffusers yet but now am very interested and in a my pillow! So you shower every night and shave before bed? I have to shave every day too but can get away with doing it in the am but I bet I would feel a lot more relaxed with a nice shower, but two in a day? Can you do a summer routine review? and/or summer ideas for the day post? and strategies of staying off your phone/computer while the kids are around? I’m trying to be so good about it but it can be so hard at times. Really want to set a good example this summer. I enjoy my kids so much and time is just flying by.
Mix and Match Mama says
Love that idea, Colleen!!
Lisa D says
We turn down the temp to 65 and then I pile on the blankets. Lavender lotion on hands, temples, and feet. Then I write in my gratitude journal.
Dani says
We pray together as a family every night before bed. Sometimes we all pray, and other times one person prays. I love ending the day this way!
Kelley says
Oh man – the white noise is a MUST. We got Dohm sound machines (the best!) for our kids and loved them so much we ended up with one in our room also. Now I can’t sleep without it.
Katie Stewart says
My husband and I were the same way with the Sleep Number. We didn’t love at first! It has been a process. We first bought the basic sleep number sheets and were not impressed. Last year, we switched to the Perfect Fit Sleep Number sheets. Game changer. The basics felt like sand paper in comparison! Then we took it a step further this year and went with the Perfect Temp cooling sheets. I can’t really tell a difference! BUT, I would say our sleep really elevated when we purchased the pillow-topper to put on the Sleep Number. Best. Decision. EVER!!!
Question about your My Pillow: What size did you go with? I went with the smallest but feel like it’s way too flat? I know it goes by your weight, but thinking about sizing up just for firmness?!
Mix and Match Mama says
I did the little online quiz and I have a “yellow” one and Andrew has a “green one”.
Katie says
I wanted to throw out a suggestion regarding the Sleep Number bed. My Husband and I bought a Sleep Number bed a few years ago, and we absolutely love it! In addition to buying our bed, we also bought one for our Son (who is a junior in high school) who has Restless Leg Syndrome (he has had 2 sleep studies, and we know that he frequently does not get a good night’s sleep). My Husband checks the quality of his sleep every morning on the Sleep Number App on his phone, and then he let’s me know if our Son might have a rough day if he has not had a good night’s sleep. I can then lower my expectations for what he can handle that day (doing chores, exercise, etc.). It has really helped us manage difficult days due to poor sleep quality!
Kelly Otwell says
The My Pillows smush down really easily in a packing cube! We have king sized pillows and my husband rolls them to get some of the air out of them and then folds them over. I no longer travel without my own pillow!
Mix and Match Mama says
In a packing cube? Brilliant!!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I love this post! I’m a huge believer in a bed time routine, and I’ve had to alter it a little since baby and since he’s still sleeping in a bassinet next to my bedside. I HAVE to shower before I go to bed no matter what–I don’t care if I don’t get home until 1am–I am showering. I have to put on lotion, chapstick, and my sheet and comforter have to be evenly matched. Once we move Harrison to his crib in his room, I can go back to everything else ( like keeping it freezing in our room), but right now I’m surviving on a minimized routine haha!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Robin says
I know you already did a morning routine (loved it)! But you mentioned maybe switching things up this summer and working out before the kids get up so you can make the most of your time with them this summer. If you change it up can you share that? I’ve always been a full-time working mom (would love to be a stay at home mom, but it is just not in the cards for us), and typically summers have been my busy season where I work even more hours. BUT we finally got to a point in our family where I can cut back at work and starting this summer I’m going from a 40+ hour work week to a 26 hour work week! I will have two WEEKDAYS off per week (in addition to my weekend). I REALLY want to be intentional about this gift of extra time with my kiddos, while maintaining my workouts and doing a little extra around the house (my husband and I have split household duties 50/50 but if I’m working less I feel like I should pick up more). Anyway, I could use all the tips on how to be mindful of time and intentional with the kids around, and how your morning routine varies with school out of the equation. 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this suggestion, Robin!! Happy Friday!!
Krysta says
I HAVE to wash my face, brush my teeth, and put my retainer in every single night or I cannot lay my head down and go to sleep. I also have 2 fans and the air on 69 with tons of blankets!
Sharon K says
I add lavender oil & stress-away oil to mineral water in a spray bottle … I spritz this over my pillows and sheets as I make the bed every morning. The next morning, when I wake up, I don’t even remember laying my head on the pillow the night before!! Out ALL night!! 🙂
Kimberly C says
Kensington looks sooooo much older in that picture of her in the chair.
White noise isn’t a deal breaker for me (he snores so that’s enough for me). It makes it easier to sleep but my big thing is air movement. It doesn’t even have to be a lot — the furnace or AC is usually just enough. The ceiling fan above our bed is too much for my husband so if it’s too hot/muggy to have the windows open at night I often sleep in a different room so I can have a fan on.
In the winter our thermostat is rarely set above 64 and in the summer the AC is at 75. We love having the windows open as much as possible in the spring and summer, even a couple at night.
What time do you guys normally eat dinner? I would have to start my kids right after getting off the bus to get everything done that you get done in an evening. =]
Mix and Match Mama says
We really try to eat between 5:30 and 6:00. Depending on sports, sometimes, it’s earlier and sometimes, much later.
Lindsey B Thomas says
Check on my kids. I can’t go to sleep without it. I’ve tried. I go in, recover them, pray over them, swoon over them. ?