This time of day - whadd'ya do?

[green]

I find myself sometimes dreading these formless, unstructured winter afternoons. What do you do with the kids? I fear if anyone sends a list of all the constructive enhancing home based activities which involve actual real engagement I might collapse into a heap of guilt, but realise it might give me a much needed kick up the ol' arse.

I'm stuck in with 6 month old and bored 21 month old. I can't find any motivation either and starting to feel racked with guilt Think i might do a tidying up game...oh the joys!!

we're watching tv. Having just made a lenght of wrapping paper with christmas stampers etc for DH's Christmas pressie. That took all of 20 mins and we're now watching the box again....

I used to think 3.00pm was the worst time.Do not feel guilty. No ideas for you though.Whenever i got out the glue sticky paper string etc DS never wanted to play. Isn't there anything on the tele to veg out to. Read to them - that's really worthwhile and can be quite restful if they're in the mood.

telly here too. Spongebob in fact.

After school, we jsut relax, put Chritsmas tree lights on, little lamp, have hot choclate and chill for an hour before tea.

Ive got spag bol in the slow cooker, smells delish. Just gotta make the spag in a bit.

we dont do much.
when ds was little he would play with his cars while i made tea.

Ooh tell you what he loved to do, i would put some water in the sink, drag a chair up and he would play with cups n pots n stuff for AGES there.

Yeah, actually I do quite enjoy reading. But I have 3 kids at 9,6,3 so usually have to pick out one at a time. I like that reminder.

I suffer from TV and electronic games allowing guilt syndrome (it should be more widely recognised). This manifests itself in general and constant arguing with my 9 yr old ds who asks if he can watch it on an every 15 minute basis. That usually pretty much ruins the afternoon too. What do you reckon to just saying yes the first time and letting him get on with it? And if so, I need reasons to help me get over it (the guilt that is).

Crossed with you sunburntats - ooooh mine used to love doing that too. It takes a certain amount of restraint to let them get on with it, sloshing all over the floor doesn't it - but once you get over it, great.

Not sure that would do it for mine anymore....

DS2 (3) is watching TV. Still. (has been most of the afternoon, tbh)
DS2 (6) must have caught me at a weak moment and I agreed to having a friend home from school impromptu (very unlike me). They would happily sit in front of the telly too, but I've sent them upstairs to make birds out of lego - there's a competition in a magazine that came today.
DD (8) is probably bossing the 2 boys about. Don't know. She's upstairs and I'm in the kitchen on MN.

Hoping not to heap any guilt at all in yo9ur direction. (And not really wanting a kick up the arse either, so might not read much more!

on the day DS1 started school Ds2 said " can i have a biscuit, what's on the tele?" and went on from there. Sunburntats - happy days! What's nicer than cuddling up with a warm tele addict. It's not all year round, it's not all day. Be happy together.

OK Open book and purpleturtle - loving your attitude. Going to try and adopt it.

Mostly a bit of playing - Buckaroo - followed by telly! Yesterday we baked and made paper snowflakes. But I agree, and was moaning about the very thing at work today!
Its the bloody awful weather and dark evenings - in summer I don't struggle at all - park, park, garden, park etc etc!

Buckaroo today. Not every day. Doh!

I suffer from the same guilt, 'shouldn't I be doing some amazing arts and craft project with them?' thing. Truth is, I'm just not that creative. Usually just sit in front of a DVD. Always thinking i should be doing something more educational with them....