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

860 replies

AbbiCMumsnet · 01/10/2019 09:36

This activity has now closed.

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
Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Find out how Mumsnet users wind down with their kids after school
OP posts:
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11
rogart · 16/10/2019 19:03

I have drinks and a sandwich ready for them and we sit and have a little talk.

SirProjectofThigh · 16/10/2019 19:08

I thought the spleens would be safe Kit. No one misses their spleen, do they?

SirProjectofThigh · 16/10/2019 19:13

I vote for Yo. It would be a travesty if she didn’t win. Like Boaty McBoatface all over again.

DanglyTasselsOfThigh · 16/10/2019 19:20

A travesty indeed Proj !

shroney · 16/10/2019 19:40

I have snacks ready for when they come home as they are usually ravenous by then, if the weather is good they'll play on the trampoline or basketball if not then a bit of tv time once homework is done, and then just leave them to relax and read if they want to.

bluetoffee · 16/10/2019 19:41

I just like to give them a chance to chill whether that's watching tv, playing outside or making some snacks...

KitMarlowesCodpiece · 16/10/2019 19:47

I also vote for Yo. And SirProj, what are spleens even for? What has mine ever done for me? I should charge it rent.

TheLidoOfThighs · 16/10/2019 19:48

BoatyMcBoatface lives on as a submarine on that ship. It’s probably out there now, amongst the Blahaj sharks.

Leanfun · 16/10/2019 20:16

Always chat about their day on the way home when they come in. As soon as they come in They sit around for a snack and drink.

SirProjectofThigh · 16/10/2019 20:25

Just put it in the bucket Kit. In fact, if anyone donates a spleen, they can have a POÄNG chair. It’s in the small print. Line up for spleen donation please.

SirProjectofThigh · 16/10/2019 20:38

Ever since I posted the word POÄNG, these ads have been following me. Be careful people.

Find out how Mumsnet users wind down with their kids after school
KitMarlowesCodpiece · 16/10/2019 21:06

I hereby evict my spleen. It adds no value and takes up valuable internal real estate that I could give to a baking potato or my enlarged liver.

ThighThighOfthigh · 16/10/2019 21:20

I'm largely large potato 🍠 the rest of me is shit 💩

KitMarlowesCodpiece · 16/10/2019 21:27

I love potatoes.

SirProjectofThigh · 16/10/2019 21:28

They’re mocking us!

Find out how Mumsnet users wind down with their kids after school
KitMarlowesCodpiece · 16/10/2019 21:31

I don't know if it's a good idea to be that near children. They're always inexplicably sticky.

TheLidoOfThighs · 16/10/2019 21:52

Don’t buy your children that proj. noway had one and then her children ran away and joined the fair.

mave · 16/10/2019 22:09

We do homework and chat about our day!

SirProjectofThigh · 16/10/2019 22:10

I mean I don’t need to buy it, because we’ll be collecting our vouchers soon.

ThighThighOfthigh · 16/10/2019 22:48

TL you did well to resist the trap.....till now. I'm going to pop it back in my cupboard for a few months, i need to surprise you.

ThighThighOfthigh · 16/10/2019 22:51

I've figured out the Ikea thread. The other posters really want to win, they don't want to report us cos no one likes a tell tale tit.

MNHQ aren't watching cos what the fuck can go wrong with a voucher offer thread innit?

nakedscientistOfThigh · 16/10/2019 23:18

We chat, snack and cuddle,
On the sofa, .oh we snuggle
Then we have our tea
As healthy as can be
But we need a wee wee, oops a little puddle!

nakedscientistOfThigh · 16/10/2019 23:25

kim your poem is so fabulous I want to buy you that shark myself {}

becks213 · 17/10/2019 00:17

We take our dogs for a walk as soon as we get in, then go home and my daughter reads her school book whilst I make her dinner then we chat and watch tv together and enjoy each others company

KitMarlowesCodpiece · 17/10/2019 01:52

Thanks, naked. I showed it to my DH and even he said that it deserved a shark - although I notice that it didn't apparently deserve one enough for him to buy one for me Hmm