I Dread Evenings

[MummyMoving]

Hi everyone,

Do you have any tips for evenings as a lone Mum? My DCs are 8 and 5, so in theory things should be easier by now...! But I find by the evening I am shattered, the house is a tip, and it takes ages to get the children to sleep (why do they get a second wind at 7pm???) I really feel lonely in the evenings, and find it hard not too overeat to cope.
Any advice on how to manage evenings and make them less daunting would be gratefully received, thank you X

I guess a really good routine - can you set the kids chores such as tidying up and reward them with stickers on a sticker chart? At the end of the week they get a treat (ice cream or pizza for tea? A magazine) if they’ve filled their chart. At that age they can help you tidy up. Set yourself 15 mins to tidy when they’re asleep then sit down and watch some tv with your feet up.

I rely on routine. Dinner at 5:30, bath at 6:15 and straight into bed at 7. No time for messing around. After that it goes downhill... washing up, tidying (but do get DD to help before dinner) and cleaning, then Netflix at 8pm and lie on the sofa for 2 hours like a hippo before bed.

I've registered for an exercise course where they send you a 15 min video every day. I'm
Hoping it'll give me a boost getting off the sofa. Could you try something like that? What about gardening as the evenings get lighter?

20 mins of tidying every night and if it's still messy... meh it can wait! I find Netflix is my saving grace, reading, messaging friends, mumsnetting and generally keeping my mind busy, I've just bought an exercise dvd that I'm going to start doing in the evenings as I find I'm sitting eating crisps and chocolate when ds has gone to bed

I actually found that I love being alone now (been by myself for 2 years) and I can't imagine someone coming into my space and having to share a telly/ get used to a new routine with someone, it surprises me that I now feel like this as I felt so down and low when I was alone to start with!

I’ve started going to bed when my kids do. I’m often asleep in minutes. Then I get up early and get housework done before they wake. It just works better for me!
If I stay up late I end up slouched on sofa watching crap tv and nibbling on food I don’t need!

Routine
Go bed when they do
Read
Box sets

Honestly it does get better!!

Thank you These are all really helpful thoughts. It's good to hear other people's routines - Bluecarrot that sounds very sensible to me.

Hi there. I can totally relate to your situation. My young ones are 4 and 6 and I find bedtimes go on for hours. It's taken some time but i'm getting there. I watch an hour of Netflix of an evening if I can find something that takes my concentration or write down my feelings and thoughts if I'm feeling lonely. I also try and get them to tidy up there toys and mess. My biggest problem is im a bit soft so it usually backfires. You do have to be consistent. With being on your own which has happened twice now, I've always liked my own company just not all the time. Take care.

I've completely pared down my house so it's easier to tidy up, I try to sell a few things on gumtree each week to continue the clear out and make a few squids! Like posters above I have a very strict afternoon /evening routine for dinner, tidying and DD bedtime. I do my best to choose one activity per evening to focus on but it's true that putting my phone aside is so hard. I try not to watch TV unless I'm following a show (masterchef!) or have chosen a special movie. I otherwise read, journal, or batch cook for the freezer to make things easier on my working days. I'm teaching DD to cook at age 3...bit optimistic?
I also get absolutely trollied on the sofa every ten days or so and eat loads of chocolate and popcorn while watching girlie tv. To each their own!

That sounds like you have is down to a fine art Sugarplumps. I think I need to have a good clear out of toys and clothes they seem to be multiplying.