Evenings with children past the bath and bed stage

[CaptainHarville]

I've three children ranging from 6-11years. We used to have nice family evenings when the kids were small. Bath time followed by a little TV and then stories and bed. Now the kids are older it's all gone a bit weird.

Youngest still likes a snuggle but then not the going to bed bit. She often plays in her room writing stories or making stuff.

Middle child gets ready for bed early and then stays in his room playing on a tablet or making stuff. Quite happy to go to sleep though when he should.

Eldest just wants on xbox all the time. When he's kicked off that he mostly messes about in his room. Alternatively he'll 'play' with his siblings usually in a manner that causes someone to cry.

I really miss the time when they all snuggled up and happily watched peppa pig.

How can I get that back but a more grown up version? I feel they're all off doing their own thing but when I try and get them to play a game say then it almost invariably ends with at least one of them crying.

Any ideas?

[CheapSausagesAndSpam]

You could all watch some funny videos on Youtube? Mine like animal ones.

[Karid1496]

Not really got any advice but I feel your pain. My dc are 7 & 11 and I really miss the days when they were my shadow. Alot of their time is spent in their rooms doing their own things.

The only thing that really gets us all together is watching the fail army videos on you tube. Or a simple game that doesn't last that long. 10 minutes of us enjoying each others company is really all we get before the boredom kicks in for someone haha. Xx

[HeyMacWey]

You need something that you can all sit down and watch together - perhaps something like miranda? A bit silly and slapstick.

[Waterpixie]

Mine are 8&10. We have 'movie night' at least twice a week. Straight after tea with popcorn as their pudding. We've worked thorough all the old Back to the Futures, Jumanji, old Ghostbusters, the Mask, ET, all the Harry Potters. Nice to be all together cuddled up on the sofa on nights they have no activities!

[1234hello]

Board games? There were a couple of threads recommending them recently.

[ojell]

I really valued my parents reading chapter books aloud to my younger siblings (downstairs, rather than in bed), which were deliberately chosen to be a little bit old for them, so that I could listen while pretending to not really be interested, honest (The Hobbit, Swallows & Amazons etc.)

[NorthernSpirit]

My DSC absolutely love playing board games and we turn the TV offand regulary plat Frustration or Trivial Pursuit (adults v kids do version). Kids have so many distractions borne, TV, phones, iPads, games). Turn them of. They relay on them too much and then can’t entertain themselves.

[Buttercupsandaisies]

Mine are 10&12. I don't let them use phones or iPads after 7pm - it works great as well watch a film or documentary together most nights

I wouldn't let mine sit in their rooms on their own on the evening - but I'm a worrier and I feel people worry and over think at night so that would concern me

[ScarlettDarling]

My dc are 13 and 10 and we play board games and card games. I also still read to my 10 year old before bed, with my 13 year old listening in. Also, at this time of year, hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows sitting around the breakfast bar after school is a nice time to chat.

[caringcarer]

I take child to various activities; swimming, dancing, running/athletics, ice skating, Scouts and has a tutor twice a week but still find time to watch Christmas movie together with hot chocolate most days. We don't 11 year old mobile and can use computer in dining room for homework.