How long do you sit around for in the evening?

[inthethickofit19]

I work 3 days and have a 3 and 1 year old. Both 'spirited' children. They have multiple allergies and various medications etc. Completely separate diet to us. On my non working days, its pretty full on.

I used to follow the rule that once they are in bed, I will do f all and sit and relax.

But I can't get anything I need to done. Exercise, self care, quick chores, light pottering etc. It's causing me more stress.

It got me wondering how people spend their evenings?

@smilingthroughgrittedteeth

8-10pm is my sit down and chill time. Mu children are 2yrs, 3yrs and 5yrs and go to bed at 6.30pm (sleep by 7pm) so i tend to have an hour of doing chores.

Wow what time do they all wake? An hour a night would be ample for me.

Similar to another OP my eldest used to go to bed at 7:30 and self settle but since lockdown etc and an allergic reaction we've had to sit with him/ sit close by. He's usually asleep by 8 but by then I lose motivation to start anything.

@Redcups64

Dinner starts cooking at 4pm sharp, whilst it’s cooking very quick tidy up, and spruce around. When dishing the dinner up all the things I used to cook with goes straight in the dishwasher, after dinner everything goes in the dishwasher and the kitchen is closed.

My kids have water bottles that they can fill as much as they like and dessert or snacks are things that doesn’t require a plate or cutlery.

6pm they get everything ready for school the next day, my youngest is young so I do that, then it’s brush teeth and in pjs at 6:15.

Then I’m done for the day, the kids are then allowed their iPads, tv or any technology if they wish. Nothing goes on a moment before that, not even the tv, this helps so when I’m ready to stop and relax they do too as they can sit and watch tv then.

7:30 up to bed- 8:30 lights out. I’ve already rested by then so that’s when I potter or do things I enjoy.

The trick is to be organised and strict I guess??

Absolutely spot on. How do you entertain them all day with no tv whatsoever, we often have it on in the background and my eldest will watch it when youngest naps (I often doze then or if feeling ok, I'll do chores - I have some medical issues myself).

@Pinkvici22

What’s this? People sit in the evening?!

Honestly, like a PP this only happens for me on maybe a Friday/Saturday. I work FT but having to work around school runs due to lockdowns and WFH means I work every evening, also do housework etc., occasionally exercise (tho I mostly do this early morning before DD wakes). I’m bloody exhausted.

I should've added into title "...if you have to young dc "

I have 3 DC. Eldest is a pre-teen with additional needs and a sleep disorder. If I actually sit down at all before I collapse into bed I'm doing well.

But it does get easier as they get older and I definitely have more downtime in the day now that I don't need to supervise everything my DC does all of the waking hours.

2 year old DS
Asleep by 7:30
Chores/jobs etc 7:30-9
9-10 TV/chill time
10-10:30 shower
11 bed

I get hours of sitting around time! I am restless and I do potter about but I have loads of downtime.
Even with baby DC I had from about 8- 10.30. Now it's more like 9/10- 12 or 1 a.m. I clean mainly on Friday afternoons- during the week I don't do much other than cook and wash dishes. I work full time but don't feel insanely busy. Maybe I'm a slob!? I can't imagine going to bed at 10 nowadays though, maybe that's why.
It does get easier with older children.

In the olden days the kids were at activities 4 weekdays so didn't get home until 9.30 on those nights. Am watching more TV now than at any other time in my life, but only because it's getting dark in the evenings and not as much stuff to do outside.