It’s a big dilemma. Now that school is back in session parents everywhere are struggling with what in the world to do with their circus animals after the show is over. I have gone through different seasons in my life and I am sure there are many, MANY more to come. But for now structure is our friend. At least my own hippy-dippy version of it.
J and I have coordinated in regards to this schedule and there are still a few things left to tweak, but for the most part this is it. The whole shebang. What we do after school, when we do it and why.
4:00- 4:10 Take off shoes, unload back packs/lunch boxes, and get a snack
We don’t get home from school until about 4:00 and the first thing you have to do is unload. Also, most of us are hungry.
4:10-5:00 Watch TV
We have cut the TV down to 90 minutes maximum during school days (30 in the morning and an hour after school). If you knew our “after school taxi routine” you would know why it is completely exhausting! So immediately after we get in the door seems to be the best opportunity to veg. I know not everyone does it this way, but I prefer it and the kids like it too.
5:00-6:00 Go outside weather permitting, otherwise play in the basement
Sometime between school and bed the kids are going to have some energy to burn. This is the hour to play hard and get exercise. Thankfully I don’t have to be as creative in this area as when we lived the apartment, but if that is the case for you hang in there. It can be done.
6:00 -6:30 Do chores
Chores are really important in our house. This is one that I adjust accordingly. They don’t all have to get done in this time slot, but I at least want to know that there is some allotment for them regardless of how it’s distributed.
6:30-7:00 Eat Dinner
I originally scheduled more time for dinner, but we didn’t need it. The kids (ages 2, 5, and 7) won’t stay in their seats for that long.
7:00-7:30 Homework or shower
This slice is kind of flexible because at this age my kids rarely have homework and they rarely shower. I’m joking. Kind of. Anyway, this little sliver of time is negotiable depending on our needs for that day.
7:30-7:40 Brush teeth, go potty, put on PJs
Sometimes they don’t want to use the restroom, but at this age I make them try and I tell them full stomach+empty bladder=good nights sleep. That’s my theory.
7:40-8:00 Read Stories
I don’t think I really need to go into all the numerous benefits of reading aloud to your children. I haven’t done it every night of my child’s life that’s for sure, but I try to make it a priority. This is our 20 minute block of reading time and the dynamics are really fun right now because sometimes Z reads to the younger siblings, or J will read a more advanced story with Z in another room. It’s worked out really well!
8:00- Lights out
Can I just say that my children have NEVER had a bedtime this early. They total night owls and I have always been envious of parents that have hours to themselves after tucking their kids in at 7:30. There are many reasons I think this earlier bedtime is going so smoothly right now, but what I attribute it to most of all is not having a movie or tv show before bed. I used to see the TV as a nice way to wind down. I mean, who hasn’t fallen asleep during a movie or a late night show or two? Research shows otherwise though and after the results I’ve seen I have definitely become a little obsessive about no screen time at nighttime during the week. One day during chore time someone turned on the TV and was watching Rescue Bots and when I saw it my eyes got all crazy, my hair turned green, and I started flying around the living room on a broom stick screaming TURN THAT TV OFF!!! NOW!!!!! It wasn’t that bad, but I did overreact a little and I have repented. That’s really how passionate I am though.
There you have it. My schedules are always subject to change and of course stuff coms up, but I really see this one working for us. I hope to keep it up throughout the year.
Do you have an after school routine?
I recently changed my after work schedule up.
4:30-5:30 Necessary household chores. It’s easier to get them done before Husband gets home.
5:30-6:15 Exercise
6:15-7:00 Make dinner.
7:00-7:30 Eat dinner
7:30-9:30 Veg out on the couch, binge watching something on Netflix.
9:30-10:00 Get ready for bed, nighttime routine.
10:00 Lights out.
Sounds like you’ve got a good system going. I have still been trying to figure out how to manage my evening after the kids go to bed (so from about 8-11). There is just so much I want to do!
It’s only our first week, but we are establishing somewhat of a routine. Mason’s school hours are from 7:45 – 2:45pm. I work from home, so I have to take a quick break to go pick him up and back home to work until 4:00. Nathan and I told Mason that homework comes before play. However, he hasn’t had any homework yet so we haven’t had to enforce that. We get back to the house between 3:00-3:15. I check my emails and work if there are things to catch up on, but if not I start unloading backpacks and lunch boxes and checking his folder. After I am done with work its chores, picking up house, starting dinner, etc. Mason watches TV or has iPad time during that time. We eat supper once Nate gets home (6:00-6:30ish). Then baths around 7:30 and bedtime around 8. We have to start early because it takes Mason and hour or better to fall asleep.
I feel the pain of the restless sleeper! My daughter who is your son’s age seems to take forever to fall asleep. I have tried starting later, but it didn’t help. Sometimes you just have to embrace that it is just going to take a while.
Natalie, you are SO SMART to enforce this now, before baby #4 debuts – by then this is going to be as smooth as silk. And, lucky for me (I don’t believe in luck, btw) my kids went to bed early and gave me several hours of bliss. TV, gadgets, Kindles, iphones, etc., they are all stimulators. YOU ARE SO SMART my young friend!!! xo
I am so happy to be joining the ranks of parents that get to have down/alone time after getting the kids to bed. That screen time really does seem to have an impact! Over the weekend they woke up at the same time, had lots of fresh air and activity, but we let them watch movies in the dark in their pajamas. I thought for sure they would fall asleep during the movie because of the new earlier bedtime, but nope. Eventually we just had to turn the TV off and go to bed.
Natalie, you are so smart! I think we all (even us adults) could benefit from not watching so much tv. I know for sure that I am guilty of turning to the television too often. I am going to be better about not indulging so much in television shows.
Our after-school routine is pretty similar to this one. Although we’re just two weeks into the school year and not exactly on top of things just yet. I like your specific schedule, though. You’ve obviously thought through what works for your family – smart! 🙂 Thanks for linking up to WFMW!
We homeschool, but we do have an “after nap” routine. Usually I let them watch a video or two while my other kids are still sleeping or just waking up. Then we play outside, have free time outdoors, or they help me make dinner. My kids’ bedtime is at 8:00 too. It’s nice for us when we actually stick to it, because it gives my husband and I a while to wind down before going to bed ourselves.
It’s so hard, especially when you have more than one child to adjust to a happy and healthy afterschool routine. My girls come home and have snack and then get started on their homework because I found that if we wait until after dinner they are just sort of done. I also think it’s very important for them to get outside and play and just ne kids. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day! I think that if you have a good loose schedule, you are ahead of most people. Sometimes it will work, others days it won’t but at least if you know what you want and they know the expectations, everyone will eventually be on the same page ?
Looks like a great routine! I nanny two kiddos many school nights and I always have them off of devices long before bed. I am with you in that it helps makes the process much easier. Thanks for sharing.
We had more if a routine when the kids were younger. Our evenings can be crazy whether it’s a chiropractor night (twice a week) or church (most Wednesdays) or some other event or meeting. When we don’t have to leave immediately after they get home, the kids have a snack and start on homework. This can take hours at this point in life… I like the no TV at night idea. I’ve read studies, too. I should probably not catch up on blogs and/or social media in the bath before bed!