Argh my routine is ruined and I don't know what to do

I used to have a lovely evening routine of:

Dinner at 5pm

Bath

Stories

Bed at 7pm

Worked perfectly most of the time. But for a little while now Phoebe has been adjusting her nap routine. She;s fine if she has her nap in the morning but if it's the afternoon then it throws bedtime out completely. And some days she doesn't nap at all which can mean she falls asleep earlier.And sometimes she gets completey exhausted and crashes out about now and then is up till all hours later.

Just to aggravate the problem I already had, H has just started a new, temporary, job. I have to get up and take him to work for 7.15 in the morning, So I am literally transferring Phoebe from bed to car. Amy is up at half 6 anyway so makes no great difference to her. But then I am picking him up around 5. So firstly that ruins dinnertime, secondly if Phoebe hasn't had a nap, she falls asleep, and potentially so does Amy. Then bedtime gets later but they are still up early the next day,

I don't even know where to begin to sort this one out. Phoebe is asleep now and there was nothing I could do to prevent it. She was late to bed last night as I was out and H didn't manage to get them down to normal routine....She went at gone 10.  So all day she's had bags under her eyes but fought sleep and refused to give in. There was no way I could have kept her awake now and even if I had she'd have fallen asleep in the car at 5 anyway.

Has anyone got any suggestions? Please

I really don't know what to suggest, it must be so frustrating.  How far away is H working? Is it possible he could push bike it?  Not ideal in this weather but it may be an option if the distance is do-able.

Have one of these as it sounds like you go do with it

Yes he could push bike it but we don't have a bike for him to use. And can't afford to buy one It's a 15 minute drive so not far but far enough for them to fall asleep

If only you were closer we have one you could probably borrow.  How about trying freecycle?  may not be the best spec but if it's roadworthy and gets him from a to b would be ok on a temp basis?

I know what you mean about 15mins, if mine are tired 2 mins in the car will do it

Is there anyone who could give your H lifts to work?  It seems like its the early starts coupled with driving that's causing the probs (and I have one who falls asleep in car too!)

Or at least give him a lift home from work.

How about buses?

Despite it being just a 15 minute drive, He'd have to get two buses and whilst not impossible, It's ridiculously expensive for such short journeys. He doesn't know anyone well enough to ask for lifts yet.

I'm asking if anyone has a bike they could loan us but short of that I don't know what else to do

chunky monk:

Despite it being just a 15 minute drive, He'd have to get two buses and whilst not impossible, It's ridiculously expensive for such short journeys. He doesn't know anyone well enough to ask for lifts yet.

I'm asking if anyone has a bike they could loan us but short of that I don't know what else to do

Its worth checking with the bus company - ours do subsidised travel for lower incomes.  That might help a little?

Really? That would be great..I'll look into it, thank you

Is there anything that might keep your LO's awake for that 15 mins? I drive home with E at 6ish which is also danger time!  Usually a cbeebies comic or similar keeps him awake x

post on your local freecycle about a bike. I gave 2 bikes away on mine a while ago to someone in a similar situation.

Nothing would keep mine awake in the car Especially Phoebe. I have asked on Freecycle before but nothing was forthcoming.

Have asked on my status on FB and been offered a couple. H is going to look at them now.

Thank you all x