Tell me your after school routine...

[booklover164]

If your kids don't do any clubs!

I have a child in reception, 2.5 yo and 4 wo. I am trying to make the period between pick up and DH coming home ( 6 ish) more manageable because it's chaos at the moment. We don't do any clubs at the moment so I'm looking for things to do to make it easier other than just sticking the tv on ( I'm more than happy for them to watch tv just feel like they're maybe having too much at the moment). I try to have dinner ready by the time DH is home so we can all eat together but sometimes the older two just eat separately. God I feel like a 50s housewife writing that!

They're older now but we used to go somewhere after school - local forest trail or soft play, or playground. Or we would invite their friends over or get return invitations.

(My husband was retired so around so we would all eat together).

Park is good in nice weather. Suggest it to other parents too.

I used to enjoy this letting the kids play and the parents have a catch up.

Leave out paper and pencils to just draw or playdoh.

Thanks. Park is a good idea so will try that next week.

When I was at this stage, I'd pick my eldest up...they'd eat dinner straight away. Then downtime, toys, kids TV...bath, PJ's, story and bed. I didn't do too much. They both found school exhausting!

I'm guilty as charged about too much tv for the kids after school. They're just so knackered, I feel they deserve some downtime.

I know I should be doing hand writing practice for my youngest etc but she is just too tired.

Watching with interest!

Straight to park- ideally one closest to school so might bump into some school friends to play with. Work out if their are ones others in the reception class goes to even.

Mine are older now but when they first started school they'd come home and read our play with toys or even out in the garden whilst I sorted tea, which was something simple like chips, eggs and veg or beans on toast or soup and bread. Something quick, easy and that didn't take a lot of prep so I wasn't trapped in the kitchen for ages.

I'm definitely guilty of too much screen time but they're knackered! They come home and can watch TV until I've made dinner. Then after dinner it's no TV and they can play or we'll read together or do homework. Then bath and bed. Nothing too exciting!

my 4yo is often quite cross and overwhelmed by the time we get home, from tiredness I think. I prioritise a big drink of water for her on way home, then often she just wants to run about in the garden to let off steam. I bring stuff outside to prep for tea, e.g I peel the potatoes outside so I’m near, then we eat about 4.30, then she’s happier to settle and play independently for a bit. Or sometimes we go for a walk. Bath at 6, bedtime routine and ready to sleep for 7.

Some days there is lots of tv but I try and limit that to when either one of us is feeling ill!

Personally I get them back and sort their dinner first. Sometimes bath straight after, so they're fed and bathed in pj's sometimes by 5pm. I know I'm way too tired after that! Then they can watch TV, have a snack and milk or play for an hour before we head up for stories and bed. Me and DH then eat around 7 when they're in bed. This is the only way I can manage with two toddlers! I know not eating together is frowned upon but I find it too stressful and don't enjoy my food otherwise!

I agree @Lostmyway86 about eating separately. It's a nice opportunity for you and DH to catch up too.