Welcome to Fall and Back to School Season!! I’m not giving up on Summertime so easily. I plan to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather as long as it lasts.
We have gotten back to our routine which means the hours between 3pm and bedtime are monumental. They are all I get with my kids most days but for some reason they are hard to fill each day after school, and unless we have a set schedule my kiddos just ask for screens constantly!
This combo of snacks + chores + strategic use of screens has saved my sanity after school, and I hope it helps you too!!
3pm Home from Carpool
3-3:30 Snack
3:30-4:30 Chores / time in room to clean or rest / Imaginative play / Outside play
4:30-5:30 Screen Time while I make dinner
5:30-7:30 Dinner / Family Time / Showers
7:30 Bedtime / Reading in rooms
My kids love to snack. We keep it simple and healthy by doing shared charcuterie style snacks after school. They love a little tray or plate with cheese, fruits, crackers, nuts, and whatever else we have on hand.
These trays below would be perfect for this!
Our family LOVES to play board games together. Lately my sons and I have been taking turns playing chess. A game can last from 30 minutes to four days with just a couple moves per day! This is largely due to their short attention spans and very impulsive gameplay. My youngest will “unleash” his queen just 3 moves in. We often take simple games and up the stakes by making it a larger competition, like a Connect Four Ultimate Battle, where the winner (best out of 5 games) has to play against the reigning challenger.
Mom Hack:
If it’s a nice day outside, and you want to encourage some outdoor play, simply open your front or back door. The kids will slowly stop what they are doing and gravitate to the open door to go outside, as if it’s their own idea!! I learned this tip from another mom and it really works.
I’ll be back soon with new posts on what my kids are reading and enjoying lately plus our all time favorite board game!!
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Wild and Sweet 
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