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

[AbbiCMumsnet]

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

[NorberErratics]

Hmph, too late for a shark.
Hmph, this thread is ageist, discriminates against MNers who've been here so long that their DCs are grown up and they can't remember what they did after school.

All I've ever won is 6 bottles of fairy liquid and a mug with a broken handle. At least sharks shouldn’t arrive broken or assume you're going to spend your life washing up.

[TractorTartofThigh]

Sorry for the delay Thrustine.

[barearsedloverofthigh]

Hi Thrustine. I presume you dumped the shark intended for me in the charity shop because you were mad at me after taking what i posted upthread all the wrong way. Soz, but I'am a thoet and can't be held responsible or judged for the spontaneous shit creativity that flows from my fingers.

Anyway i found it and bought it for £3.50 so 👅

[TheLidoOfThighs]

@JustineBMumsnet It's very important they send the original large size, not the newly launched tiddlers! We've got a moat to fill!

[TractorTartofThigh]

Yes, we prefer big ones Thrustine.
If at all possible.

[ThighThighOfthigh]

@JustineBMumsnet

Hi Thrustine

I think we should meet.

Love ❤ Thigh

[KitMarlowesCodpieceOfThigh]

I'd just like a big shark to cuddle and definitely not just to annoy my husband

[ThighThighOfthigh]

Did you know a metre (big shark) is half a door long? And that's how you know it's big.

[ThighThighOfthigh]

I use doors as a handy measuring tool. I look at a door handle and say to myself "now, that's a metre".

You're welcome.

[ThighThighOfthigh]

@JustineBMumsnet

Please take the sharks to your nearest door. Stand it up straight and if it doesn't reach the door handle then it's the smaller version.

If it's the smaller version, set them on fire 🔥

[DanglyTasselsOfThigh]

What if you've got door knobs and not door handles?

[JustineBMumsnet]

@ThighThighOfthigh I hope you mean ThrustineB at least? Don't want there to be any mix up...

P.S. though we'd love to, we can't supply sharks for every sponsored discussion

[SirProjectofThigh]

Ohmygod!! They made free with the sharks!! I can die now, I’m so happy.

[ThighThighOfthigh]

Oh joy! Not a shark this time, oh thank you, there's more🚗 to come!

[barearsedloverofthigh]

Thigh I definitely think we can say from Thustine’s last post that although they can’t give you shark, they CAN and WILL give you a brand new Kia!!!!

[barearsedloverofthigh]

If anyone is planning on meeting Thustine I can lend you my shark to make into a massive badge and wear on the date so that she can recognise you in the crowded bar.

[DanglyTasselsOfThigh]

ThrustineB will you be driving to your date with Thigh in her new car prize?

Oh this is so th'romantic!

[ThighThighOfthigh]

I can't wait! I knew she'd see the light and do things our way. There's no going back on the promised Kia Rio Strike now Thrustine.

[LovelyCocksReg]

I’ve got a Kia too Thigh, we can go on a raid or summat.

[LovelyCocksReg]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO or a Thighland jaunt to Hot Tub Margaret’s?

[TractorTartofThigh]

It's not like she's asking for a Sportage! Just a wee Rio.

[DanglyTasselsOfThigh]

I want to come to Hot Tub Margaret's too!

[DanglyTasselsOfThigh]

She's not being grabby!

[TractorTartofThigh]

They can start a thread if they like, where we tell stories about all the fun that we have in Kias and the winner gets one! Just need to sort out the sponsors. Come on MNHQ!

[HairyDogsOfThigh]

I've just had a brilliant idea
Thrustine gives to Thigh a new kia
Thigh drives it around
And won't make a sound
On any new thread from Ikea