How much do you do with your dc's at home after school

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I'm just wondering, my dc's are are primary school age and often all three are busy doing things either together or apart. I often feel a bit lost and have recently been thinking I'll surf a bit or put the tv on etc. I can't help feeling guilty and think perhaps I should be sat at the table or on the floor doing stuff with them. Apart from the days when there are clubs and the obvious time to prepare a meal what do you do with your dc's.

Hi scanner - not enough I confess and I often feel guilty about it. However, if yours are busy doing things and seem happy then I wouldn't worry too much. How about a special day each week where you all sit down and watch a DVD together - or go for a walk? It doesn't have to be much - they will enoy just spending time with you and all together.

ooh I really hope that there isn't a deluge of mums who do loads with their children because it'll make me feel guilty.
I put out paper, clours and scissors ont he kitchen if they want to do anything arty and occasionally I'll play a board game but mostly I'll leave them to their own devices in the house.
they are 5 and 7.

Thank goodness, I feel a whole lot better now.

As a complete outsider with no school age DCs, I would imagine that 'free play' is exactly what the Dr ordered having been at school all day! I remember coming home from primary school just wanting to do my own thing having been shovelled from one activity to the next all day when I was dying to get home and play with my 'stuff'. just a thought

as little as possible!

No enough. By the time I have persuaded DS1 to get changed, they have had a snack and he has done his homework, there isn't really a lot of time. We occasionally play a game or I will join in with DS2's little games but I seem to be organising telly watching so they don't bicker about what they watch or making tea and just chatting with them. I suppose there are only 3 evenings though as either DS1 is at chess club or we all go to my mothers for an hour or two and the boys play there and my mum or my brother play with them (it is a novelty for them as them).

Tbh I think they have enough of being organised at school/pre-school and don't need me to interfere. On the other hand I would love to be one of those mothers who organises little games or lets them do baking on a regular basis or helps them do arts and crafts things (although they aren't interested in that at all) but there just isn't the time. I try harder in the school holidays though.

DD has things going on 3 nights after school so evenings are usually pretty hectic anyway. But when she had less I did as little as possible and let her chill out as I think she does more than enough during the day.

pretty much nothing - and mine are 5 and 23m (obviously the 23m not at school)

I did relatively little in the way of organised activities with them at that age. The way I looked at it is, they've just spent 6 hours+ being organised by adults, they don't want to come home and be shot straight into more of the same. Everybody needs time to unwind after a day at work, and young children also need to learn about taking charge of their own time. If they're happy playing on their own or with each other, I'd leave them to it for a while- you can always be more organised at weekends. If you feel lonely- come and talk to us!

I always assume that most parents are getting dinner ready and unpacking and re-packing schoolbags and putting washing on and opening post etc etc
Or is that just lazy me ?

I worry that we don't do enough either. Ds is 4.5 and I will read his reading books with him (which he is usually too tired to want to do) and then will just read stories to him. I keep thinking that we should be spending ages teaching him to read and write but we never do.

Homework, reading, make tea, put washing on, tidy up, sort out tv/computer/console arguments, run bath, take and fetch to/from activities 2 or 3 times a week. So nothing specifically constructive, although sometimes dd (9) likes to help me prepare tea. But we chat and tbh that's enough for them. As others have said after 6 hours at school they need chill out/veg out in front of tv time. And 3 times a week they do structured activities such as swimming, brownies, or have firends for tea, so there's only really 2 school nights a week where I let them get on with it. I read somewhere ages ago about the 'benign neglect' school of parenting being good for dcs as it allows them to develop self sufficiency, and being a lazy sod it suited me down to the ground so that is what what our household subscribes to!

maybe read, supervise them so they can play wii or help with homework. Usually as little as possible. I'm worn out by the end of the day, no way I can muster up energy for arts, crafts and board games!

I play with mine

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I personally don't do a great deal after school with 5yo DD.

Monday - at after school until 4:20, then trampolinintg class 5-6, then home for dinner, reading, a bit of play and then story and bed.

Tuesday - at after school club until 5:30pm, then home for dinner, spelling practise, reading, a bit of play, stories and bed.

Wednesday - swimming after school until 5pm; then home for dinner, spelling practise, reading, a bit of play, stories and bed.

Thursday - is our free afternoon. She normally just comes home and play if not having a play date. She plays with her toys on her own. We fit in reading and dinner later on. She might watch some Tv or play on the computer, coolour, or whatever. I leave her to it to chill after school.

Friday - I collect a friend's DD from school and she and DD play at our place, having dinner together. I leave them to it again

I figure that DD just wants time out without anything structured once she is home.

well I play with dd2 for 25 mins while dd1 is glued to Jungle Run

then I read and chat to dd1 while dd2 gazes open mouthed at Tom and Jerry

all this whilest fielding dd3

then I do tea

then reading practice, spelllings for dd1, mucking about, bath, story, bed, wine

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yes ours have got a bit silly now as I have lost interset

dd2 had jelly in hers today

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