Getting young children to have some quiet time

[ImFree2doasiwant]

Is it possible? Mine are, frankly, doing my head in. 4 and 5, bored shitless. We go out every day. We do activities, crafts, baking , games. But I also have to work, and not spend the entire day entertaining them. The noise from them playing is really just constant, loud, and of the aaaaaarrrghh! It's getting me wooooahhh it's fast!! variety.

I'm single, and so this is all on me. Im struggling with it today becayse i feel like crap.

Is it too much to expect them to actually be quiet at times?

Any suggestions as to how to get them to stfu? (Lighthearted, sort of....)

Put them wherever you’ve decided quiet time should be (we use a dark pop up play tent) give them an egg timer, and assure them you’ll return when the timer is up. When the timer is up, thank them for playing quietly by themselves and reward them by either joining in with their play or reading a story. Expect some resistance at first because no one likes change. It might be a good idea to get a few new toys so that there is something special to begin this process. You could save some toys that they are only able to play with during quiet play time alone. This will help keep it fresh and exciting.
The trick is to be very clear on your expectations so they know what to expect. Be sure that you explain that it’s quiet time, and they have a super-special box of activities just for this time. You could also give them a small but special ‘quiet time’ snack.
At first you might need to pop your head into the room at regular intervals, acknowledge what a great job they’re doing of playing quietly, and if you feel it is called for, suggest alternative items that they could play with.
If they’re struggling to stay engaged for more than a few minutes without your help, you might need to help by practicing the activities that you have available for quiet time. Build a bridge with blocks or put on a puppet show, then slowly bow out of the activity.

Will they chill out Infront of a film or on ipads with snacks in the afternoon. Like you say, you give them so much stimulation all morning and you have work to do.
I think we feel so much pressure to reduce time on devices or TV, but these are unique times so don't ever feel guilt.
Although I'm not single, my husband is out at work long hours so effectively the whole day I'm alone, balancing my son, my final year of uni and a pregnancy so I emphasize totally!

Do you have Disney+? It keeps mine very quiet

They sound very like my children OP, similar ages and they just bounce off each other. They have unlimited energy despite my upmost effort to wear them out each day. I use TV or tablet as my go to if they’ve gone too crazy and I need a break, I definitely don’t feel guilty about it. Will yours sit with a snack and watch something? If not will they sit and draw a picture/ do some colouring, sometimes that will chill my two out a bit if they are in the right frame of mind.

My kids are 6 and 4 and we’ve only recently got to the stage where they enjoy and in fact actively seek quiet time. I think we’ve all been on top of each other so much with lockdowns that they are needing their space. Recently they’ve been taking themselves to a bedroom with an iPad. Its great to an extent but I’d prefer they lifted a book...But I’ll take what I can for now! I couldn’t have imagined them being like this even 6 months ago, it like a switched has been flicked rather than something I’ve pushed/trained...

iPads, TV and food. That’s it. My kids manage to make drawing or Lego noisy!

TV / movies. Do what you've got to do.

Also, it is good for kids to be bored from time to time.

They're not bored, they're playing, loudly. Nicely really, but loudly. Lots of chasing, roarring, crashing around. TV will of hold their attention for a limited time, they're honestly bored with it by now

I think I'm expecting too much, and I think when they're in this frame of mind there's nothing that will calm it down.

iPads & Disney+
Even that doesn't work for very long, but long enough for me not to feel like I am losing my mind.

I also put headphones in myself, so I can't hear them shouting. I can see them, but I can't hear them!

We did the egg timer thing. It took a few goes but it worked

I think quiet time is very achievable, ive always done it, but maybe more what you need are ear plugs- the kind that block out most but not all noise? So if you’re keeping an eye, and they’re happy but noisy, you can not go insane...?

I used to get mine to watch a Disney film in the afternoon after lunch. Used to buy me an 1-2 hrs to get other things done. 😁

I would engage then with activities in the morning and this was their down time. Then a walk after this and dinner, wind down and bed time routine 😊

Wireless headphones, apps and movies and shows they enjoy and will hold their attention.

How long do you do the egg timer thing for? They often won't sit to watch a film. They like differentl things. We dont have an iPad. Apologirs if i seem dismissive, i feel utterly defeated atm.

A screen of some sort is the only thing that has ever really bought us a decent amount of quiet time. Can you afford to get them a device of some sort?

If not then stickers, colouring, Hama beads?

They have a kindle and do have a bit of time on that occasionally, but lose interest very quickly. I had to start limiting the time on it as it loses its attraction if they have it too often. I might start using it as a extra TV though so they can watch different things.