What do you do with your toddlers in the evenings after nursery?

[kate1516]

I work full time and usually have a couple of hours a night between picking up my toddler and his bedtime. I have to be honest and say I have slipped in to bad habits of getting him some supper then us both sitting and watching some tv before bath, book and bed. I am just a bit stuck with what else to do to fill the time in a nice way. He is always shattered by the time I pick him up (and me after working from early) so too challenging or stimulating things just lead to tantrums. Would like to get some inspiration for things to do please.

What are your evening routines please? Not the going to bed bit but the bit before bedtime starts.

Thanks

Thanks

[helterskelter99]

I don't do pick up but OH & small child take ages coming home lol they go to the park, or the pub, or a cafe

[crumblybiscuits]

I pretty much do the same as you. We have a half hour walk home after nursery so she is extra tired by the time she gets back. We have some food, maybe watch an ep of Wallace and Gromit and play for a little bit before teeth, book and bed. Don't be too hard on yourself as it is a hard time to do anything with really.

[LittleFishBigOcean]

Yep, same here. I know DD is shattered when she gets in, se we read a book or watch tv or something on the iPad. Perhaps an early bath and pyjamas. In the summer we might go to the pub for tea but less likely in the winter when it's dark.

[poocatcherchampion]

Get them to bed asap!

Finish 4.30 (preschool), try to feed at 5, and into bed by 6.

[LillyBugg]

I've been wondering this to OP. Will be interested in the replies. I used to do a park trip but it's dark now so we can't do that.

[museumum]

We sometimes do jigsaws. We do watch some tv. Generally just whatever ds wants to play with - I don't often guide his play, I just follow his lead.

[poocatcherchampion]

Sorry something more useful

When mine are shattered I steer them towards

• colouring / gluing stuff
  
• play doh
  
• jigsaws
  

If it is really bad I read stories

I only really do directed play when they are v tired, otherwise I leave them too it - today was duplo, babies and riding bikes in the kitchen

[Spannerheed]

Tonight we played a bit with trains, read and sang carols kareoke on iPad. Then bath and bed. So windy, it was a relief to get in out of the wild weather!

[Fugghetaboutit]

A bit of down time of telly before bath and bed is fine! I do that with mine and he finishes nursery at 1pm! Children need downtime. He probably doesn't want to do more crafts or anything if he's knackered!

[Glitterspy]

Depending on weather and tiredness levels we can have anything from playing outside, coming in and making snacks/doing games/puzzles (daddy coming home always means a new frenzy/leaping around) or, if dark outside and she's very tired, we'll just flop in front of the tv or have extended story time... as long as it's varied and not just tv all the time every time, you're fine.

[Kennington]

It varies: sometimes we go to a cafe for a drink and a chat on our way home and the supermarket to choose what to eat for supper.
Then home: Tv, supper, bath and bed.
If she is lively we have a disco for ten minutes, or play ball in the garden, if it is warm.
If not we might do some drawing or a puzzle. But if she is tired definitely CBeebies and cuddles.

[blueandgreendots]

We're usually home between 5 and 6pm so it's dinner then TV before bath/wash, stories and bed. DD (age 3) likes to pick out a Disney film and we talk about the plot, who is kind and who is mean etc. Sometimes she will dress up and play whilst watching. I'm happy to let her decide as she's tired after nursery.

[StubbleTurnips]

We pick up from nursery at 4.30, get home and DD plays washing up while I'm cooking dinner. She also has 'jobs' to do while I'm cooking - set the table, bring the post, put the table mats out.

After dinner we sort the dog / cat (feeding, brushing, walk if DD is upto it) - then it's bath, book, bed.

If she's not tired we do jigsaws / play with her farm. We try and avoid TV, aside from ITNG, as anything else gets her too giddy before bed especially peppa frigging pig

[Bambooshoots14]

Sometimes soft play (annual pass), park in the summer, occasionally painting or helping with dinner (ds only has snack after nursery but can help cut up mushrooms etc for our dinner), mostly tv

[GenevaMaybe]

Pick up 5.30
Little snack 5.45
Bath or wash face & hands and change in to PJs 6.00
Bottle 6.15
Bed 6.30

[caker]

Pick up at 530 and home at 6, bowl of cereal then bath or shower, story, bit of chat and playing with cuddly toys in bed. Sleep around 7.

[shutupandshop]

I think your routine sounds perfect.

[ceeveebee]

Pick up around 545/6, short drive home, just have time for a snack (they serve afternoon tea at 430) and maybe some colouring or non directed play, then bath, stories and bed by 730.

[kate1516]

Thank you all

[whatsoever]

We don't do anymore than you!

DS is 3. I pick him up between 5.30 and 6 and if he's napped he's usually tired but not exhausted but if he hasn't napped he's knackered. When we get home he usually has something to eat and drink, we have a chat and then we either watch some TV, play with cars or play on the iPad. Then bath time at 7, stories and bed by 7.45.

[whatsoever]

Also, what is this non-directed play people are mentioning?

[poocatcherchampion]

I mean I ignore leave them to it.

[confusedandemployed]

Telly. Either Beebies or a DVD. It's an hour tops, ffs. She's knackered, she just wants to wind down.

[Ragwort]

As little as possible and I was a SAHM when I had a toddler - pick up from playschool (if doing an afternoon session) - home for a nap, then a walk or play in the park (weather permitting) - a bit of play tv, supper, bed and bath.

You sound as though you are trying to over compensate by being at work.

[Ragwort]

PS: Bedtime was always 7pm. (from the day we left hospital .)