What have you done with your kids after school this afternoon?

[DontBuyANewMumCashmere]

I recently realised I've become quite lazy in the afternoons with my kids - 6yo and nearly 2yo.

I collect DD from school, home by about half 3, snack and maybe a bit of reading, then they're watching TV or tablet while I'm making dinner.

It started off as 'a bit of TV' while I was making dinner now it's often two hours which tbh is sub-optimal parenting!

This evening I thought I'd be a more productive mum, so I got a Toucan box/the arts and crafts box down, DD had a good stab at making smth and DS played with finger painting and raiding his sister's pencil case.

For about ten minutes. Then the toddler is screaming to get down, she's got to wait for smth to dry so is bored whilst waiting, I'm trying to supervise but losing my patience a bit...

What does everyone else do? I know I'm not the only person relying on TV before dinner but I don't think I'm ready to do that every afternoon, plus my two are at different ages and can't often play the same games.

Looking for inspiration!

@Coronawireless

Tv after school while you cook dinner sounds lovely. Many happy secure memories of similar as a child. I’m sure you get them outdoors at weekends & holidays. Give yourself a break!

This !

@soooooooG

I lost my six year old for half an hour as he took himself off for a walk (only down to see our horses so he was easily located) then both children played in the hay barn and climbed trees.

Also a lot of sibling fighting and tbh if the weather is crap (or not crap) they watch tv!

Sounds absolutely amazing!

Pretty much same as yours op - TV or tablet!
Playing in garden if it's nice.
Reading. Spellings. Playing with toys/crafts.
3 days a week they are in after school club though so it's 5pm by time we get home, so not time for much. Rainbows 1 day.

It varies but yes DD6 is usually on minecraft or YouTube, if the weather's warm and dry I leave the door open and she potters in and out but she's usually pretty shattered after school. Don't beat yourself up, kids don't need to be entertained 24/7. I remember coming home from school and usually watching Nickelodeon until 5 / 6 before tea.

@FlorenceWintle I’m the same, I call it a day after school. Just let DC muck around the house and for as they please as long as it’s not causing any harm x

do as they please

My son is 7.
We went to the park until 5ish, then cane back to make dinner. He had some tablet time, a bath and then read for about an hour before bed, his choice, I was ready for him to go to sleep 🤣

My 10 year old usually goes out with his friends on his bike or to kick a ball around for a couple of hours after school.
My 6 year old goes out in the garden and has a bounce on the trampoline, plays with his toys then has some screen time.
If it's nice weather we sometimes take the dog to the beach for a walk, if not I wait for DH to come home before that.
They entertain themselves by and large. We then spend a bit of time together after tea before bed.

We live in West wales.
Super lucky to have beautiful beaches very close by.
We went to the beach, the DC played and we had pizza Take away on beach!
I found I too had become lazy, after school its been maybe the park ( right next to school) and home for them to watch Tv and play out. I do some house chores, prep dinner ect but Ive fpund Im feeling guilty every eve as I dont donmuch with them in terms of activity lately be it ges, reading ect