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Find out how Mumsnet users wind down with their kids after school

860 replies

AbbiCMumsnet · 01/10/2019 09:36

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It’s September, and for most families that can mean only one thing – back to school. And with that comes the daily duty of whisking everyone out the door on time, helping them out with homework, and guiding your kids through playground politics. To say term time is jam-packed is an understatement – that’s why we’re so keen to hear how your wind down with your kids after the day’s hurly burly.

Here’s what IKEA have to say:
“We all know that every child is different. The same applies here: where one might like to sit and colour, another might want to play football in the garden. The secret is to make things easy for them, keeping all their favourite things organised and easy to find. That way they can happily while away the hours with minimal fuss.
Speaking of reading, a great way to nurture it is to give your child a dedicated space just for them and their books. Keep theirs on the lowest shelf, give them a comfy chair to settle into and they’ll be away.
Arts and crafts are a great way to relax too, and brilliant way to nurture your child’s creative side. Encourage their inner Picasso by keeping all of their supplies in easy to find containers right by their desk. Don’t forget to keep your carpet from turning into a masterpiece though – a plastic floor protector is a lifesaver here.”

So, what are your tips for winding down after school? Do you have certain activities you can bank on to keep things calm? Maybe there’s a toy or game you’ve got, ready to play with when they get home? Or maybe it’s a spot of drawing that does the trick?

Whatever you do, we’d love to know. Share your tips for how you relax and wind down with your children after school on the thread below and be in with a chance of winning a £300 IKEA voucher.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ
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Find out how Mumsnet users wind down with their kids after school
OP posts:
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11
Sezza110 · 14/10/2019 08:17

Snacks and tv

xcxcsophiexcxc · 14/10/2019 08:18

We cuddle on the sofa and read a book

bevmichelle47 · 14/10/2019 08:20

We love to visit the library on the way home from school, have a read in the quite corner them make our way home watch a bit of tv, then bath,hot chocolate and a lovely fairytail story before bed.

Mitcholiver · 14/10/2019 08:24

I find if I start questioning the kids about their day when they first come out I just get 'I can't remember ' so if we are going straight home we do homework then I let them play with their toys whilst I do dinner. Its then over dinner the kids will happily talk about school and wind down.

coziwozi · 14/10/2019 08:27

After we have dinner we take the dogs a walk and chat about school/or what we have done that day. When we get home we maybe watch a bit of tv together or we do some drawing.

Spiraljam · 14/10/2019 08:30

If the weather was reasonable we would walk to a wee pond near our house and feed the ducks, chatting about the day on the way.

suzyq50 · 14/10/2019 08:31

On the walk home. Gives me a chance to chat to them about their day. Also having dinner together reinforces that too

NICH7 · 14/10/2019 08:31

I leave my kids to settle down and talk about their days at school when they are ready. Having a light snack around the dinner table seem to help them to relax.

nettymay · 14/10/2019 08:44

We have a 10 minute chat about our day, and have a laugh setting it to music - our 2 cats then climb on our laps for cuddles purring loudly - all stress gone!

bubbleybooboo · 14/10/2019 08:55

we have a good chat on the way home before spending some time doing an activity such as craftsor watching something or cooking teas/baking x

sor5 · 14/10/2019 09:01

I bake with them. They love making cookies.

barearsedloverofthigh · 14/10/2019 09:05

I bake with them too, but only if they're fat enough. Then I go out and stick some more gingerbread to the out side of the cottage.

Ganne1 · 14/10/2019 09:06

After I had picked them up from school, we would have an afternoon snack. Then, after I had gone off to work, my husband would cook with them, play with them, read with them ... basically whatever they wanted to do. There were fewer arguments that way!

minkeymonkeys · 14/10/2019 09:14

Always walking home, no matter what the weather. Then a visit to the library. Or both my kids help chopping and preparing dinner.

LucyBo17 · 14/10/2019 09:20

I try to discuss the day with my son but he always says that he can't remember what he has done. We usually have a snack and watch some TV, then do some homework and reading.

phillie1 · 14/10/2019 09:32

On the walk home, where they tell me all about their day

finleypop · 14/10/2019 09:34

Baking is a favourite activity after school

TheWhoreOfStMawes · 14/10/2019 09:34

We goes out fishing till very late,
Bags a worms and loads a bait.
Loads a crabs for their tea,
What’s left over does for me.

Noxid · 14/10/2019 09:40

I walk home through the park and let the kids play for 20 minutes this lets them use up their energy and they are much more relaxed when we get home then I give them a drink and a piece of fruit while we sit together and talk about their day

janeyf1 · 14/10/2019 09:44

A leisurely stroll home followed by tea and a chat

WowOoo · 14/10/2019 09:46

By eating together. It's when calm is restored. As we are all together it's the best time to talk as well.

serena9 · 14/10/2019 09:50

We share food and have a chat, no tech!

footdust · 14/10/2019 09:54

on the sofa relaxing and chatting about everyone's day.

AR2012 · 14/10/2019 10:06

snacks and chat about their day

Helsbells68 · 14/10/2019 10:09

Talking to each other all together over a family meal :)