Those with a few kids, how on earth do you manage the after-school routine??

[OhWhatNoooow]

I have 4 kids, ranging in ages from 2 till 9. I have so much trouble making a routine for us that works. We come home from school about 4:30 (ds1 at 5:30). Then, I don't know whether to do homework first, snacks or dinner, or playtime and homework later...Aaarrgghh!!

So, I need serious help with this as the evening ends up in chaos. I want to make set times for everything. But it makes it more difficult when they have an after school activity. How do you all manage?

Then bedtimes....if the younger ones go up earlier, the older ones want to watch something and then the younger lot come downstairs as its so 'unfair'.

Please help....

4 DC, almost 2 to 7.

Meet them from school with a snack to eat in playground/car.
If DC1/2 have afterschool clubs, stay in car/playground/local shops: don't go home (otherwise it all goes to pot). Do reading or homework in car.
Get home, unpack bags, lock coral children into kitchen, sit at table to do reading/homework/music practice if not already completed.
Let them loose when homework is done.
Get on with tea while they play.
Feed them (5pm)
Bath/play
Aim for in bed by 7.30.... DC1 can stay up later on Fri/Sat.

I've got 3, ages from 2-7 (so 2 at school, one at home). Snack first! Always the snack first. (Well - shoes, coats, bags away, then snack). We have activities 3 nights but on the nights we don't, any homework that needs doing comes first unless it is sunny in which case they all go outside to run about a bit first. I tend to leave them to it as much as possible to be honest so I can get on mn after a day at school I think they need a bit of time off. We eat around 530/6 and the telly is usually on while I cook. They all go to bed around the same time, depending on activities/what time the eldest gets in - the older ones can read while the baby is straight off to sleep.

I have 3 aged 10, 8 and 6, and they all have homework and/or reading to do. DD1(10) also has to do piano practice.

We get home around 3.30 if no clubs. They have a snack and we start homework by 4pm. DD1 pretty much does it all on her own, DS(8) is a dreamer and needs to sit where I can see him, and sometimes needs help, but I can hear DD2 reading at the same time. I get them to sit at the kitchen table so I can start getting dinner ready at the same time. If they finish quickly they have time to play before dinner.

I have the rule that the tv only goes on after dinner, so they have the incentive to get everything finished before we eat.

If any of them have clubs this routine gets pushed back, but if we are hanging around waiting for one of them, I will get on with homework/reading with the others in the car/cafe/wherever we are waiting.

DD2 goes to bed at 7.00, DS at 7.30 and DD1 at 8.00. I don't listen to any "that's not fair" - bedtime is bedtime and they know their bedtime will get later as they get older. I also like that it gives me time to chat 1 to 1 with DD1, as she is the most independent so doesn't always get enough attention.

Hope this helps!