Hellobee Boards Topic: How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?

Hellobee Boards Topic: How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:35:01 +0000 daniellemybelle on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2327460 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:22:19 +0000 daniellemybelle 2327460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @avivoca: This. Once I'm on the couch it's done. catomd00 on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2327416 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:10:21 +0000 catomd00 2327416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't. I try to multitask while I'm cooking dinner and at least get lunches made then. californiadreams on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2327331 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:30:13 +0000 californiadreams 2327331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ lol, i don't. i have the energy to watch TV on my laptop and then i stay up too late and don't get anything done in the morning either. i need to work on going to bed earlier. ETA. since we only have one LO atm, DH and I do take turns with bedtime, but still by the time supper is done and sometimes i still read books on his bedtime night, it ends up being late enough that i don't do much. at best, i have some energy to do an errand that i've been putting off. or do one thing, like put the dishes in the dishwasher. cascademom on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2327322 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:28:54 +0000 cascademom 2327322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I've been doing a bit of caffeine before work ends and trying not to sit down until stuff is done. Right now, the baby's room is the living/dining/kitchen room. When he goes to bed, everything stops on that side of the house. Once we move, we'll have some more room to just do dishes, make lunches, etc. while the kids are asleep upstairs. Littlebit on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2327291 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:13:24 +0000 Littlebit 2327291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I usually try to do one thing after my LO has gone to bed (my DH cooks dinner while I put him down). Whether it be fold and switch out laundry, or empty the dishwasher, or sweep. It's more manageable than the thought of having to do it all. mamimami on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2327278 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:06:50 +0000 mamimami 2327278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Caffeine for sure. If I know I have to accomplish something (grade papers or something) after the kids go to bed, I add an afternoon coffee or coke around 5 pm. This usually gives me enough energy without disturbing my (eventual) sleep. Also, once I sit down and get started, I can usually keep going. It's deciding not to say, "aw f-it" that is really hard. :) tiramisu on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2327247 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 13:41:01 +0000 tiramisu 2327247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm completely wiped out after DD goes to bed at 730. It takes all my energy to clean up the kitchen, get her food ready for daycare the next day and take a shower. Sometimes I'll just leave the dishes in the sink and do them in the morning. Lately I've been packing her food in the morning too. PawPrints on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2327018 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:33:52 +0000 PawPrints 2327018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ People DO things after bedtime?? oliviaoblivia on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2327009 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:31:13 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2327009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't. I do both bedtimes and shower at night. That's all I can manage before I crash. erinpye on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326976 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:08:17 +0000 erinpye 2326976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I am a night owl so I have the most energy at nighttime (barring extremely difficult days). Rainbow Sprinkles on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326975 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:08:12 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2326975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Let me tell you, solo bedtime with 3 kids is a very draining 2 hours (yes, it took 2 hours last night)! But, I am motivated simply by having quiet time alone. If I went straight to bed right after the kids went down, I would feel like I wasted all of that quiet alone time. So that's why I don't go to bed until midnight. I'm also more of a night person than a morning person. So are my kids, since they usually aren't asleep until 10. MrsSRS on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326963 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:02:16 +0000 MrsSRS 2326963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Chocolate while I clean the kitchen. The combination of having a set chore so I don't have to think about what to do and staying moving and a little treat helps. PurplePeony on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326958 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:00:29 +0000 PurplePeony 2326958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I usually prioritize a couple "most critical" things and force myself to do them, then say F the rest. We've been pawing through (clean) laundry baskets to find clothes for oh...a week? Because we're too lazy to fold and put anything away -- other things go have taken priority and I just can't do it all. Oh well. PrincessBaby on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326948 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 10:53:07 +0000 PrincessBaby 2326948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't! I actually prefer to go to bed early and get up a couple of hours before them to get coffee and do things! Coffee gives me super power:) I usually do laundry at 6am before I get ready for work and fold it hopefully before I leave, or sometimes the nanny folds- bless her!!! lamariniere on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326944 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 10:51:04 +0000 lamariniere 2326944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I actually get a lot done in the evenings! I often have to work (at home) 3-4 evening per week and I look forward to having peace and quiet. But I'm one of those people who can't rest if I know something is due, so I don't need much motivation. winniebee on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326931 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 10:45:27 +0000 winniebee 2326931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I put the baby to bed and that's really quick. So I run downstairs and clean up immediately. Then run back up and say goodnight to my 3 year old (dad does his bedtime). Then, I collapse ; ) Rocker2014 on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326851 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:55:05 +0000 Rocker2014 2326851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Honestly - caffeine. I'm not advocating it, and it isn't a great long term plan but I will sometimes have a bit of soda or energy drink (too bad I hate coffee!) after I get home from work, which keeps me going till around 10pm (or sometimes later, oops!). I wish I didn't have to, but when LO is up around 6am, that's my only option for getting things done. LuLu Mom on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326846 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:52:50 +0000 LuLu Mom 2326846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Honestly by the time I get LO1 to bed, it's my bedtime. she's fighting it so much lately that it's over an hour after when she's "supposed" to go down. I usually crawl into bed & fall asleep. BabyBoecksMom on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326842 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:51:35 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2326842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I've been struggling with this as well. I'm so tired that I just want to crash. sorrycharlie on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326829 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:43:38 +0000 sorrycharlie 2326829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I used to get a ton done once O went to bed (she's asleep by 630 latest!). But C - not so much. she's a night owl, and by the time she's asleep I'm done. I'm so behind in laundry it's not even funny.. birdofafeather on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326804 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:23:01 +0000 birdofafeather 2326804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm pregnant and solo parent a lot so I try not to beat myself up too much. What works for me is to set a time limit: I'm gonna do dishes for 15 minutes, I'm going to pick up the living room for 15 minutes, etc. Usually it seems like I won't get it done in that time but because I focused on it for a short time instead of having distractions, I get a lot done in a little amount of time. T.H.O.U. on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326802 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:21:59 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2326802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We just work really hard to get as much done before bedtime as we can. That means the kitchen is cleaned up and toys are picked up. It would be nice if I could fold a basket of laundry or something but it doesn't usually happen. looch on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326799 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:20:28 +0000 looch 2326799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I started by giving myself some slack, if there were nights I had to go to bed early and do nothing, that was fine. On average, I stay up "late" about 4 times a week, including the weekends. MenagerieMama on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326798 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:18:37 +0000 MenagerieMama 2326798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Um, I dont, haha. Following for ideas! I usually get things together for work/daycare, pick up the play area, maybe do a few dishes and then watch a TV show with DH. By then I hope it's late enough I can justify going to bed and not be a total grandma. Mama Bird on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326797 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:17:47 +0000 Mama Bird 2326797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ This is a problem! Sometimes a cup of sweet tea or chocolate help me chase the sleepiness away. Doesn't always work though! rosegold on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326773 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:04:31 +0000 rosegold 2326773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @mediagirl: playing with my phone sometimes perks me back up or getting a snack? I have not had to lay down with my five year old for some time but we are also pretty strict about her going down on her own. we read with her or let her doodle in bed quietly but we don't spend any time in there with the lots off and laying down. otherwise we would be stuck in there and i need my space. ShootingStar on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326768 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:00:17 +0000 ShootingStar 2326768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We just don't do anything after bedtime. DH does bath and we alternate who does bedtime and who walks the dog. We're usually done a little after 8. Then we watch a tv show, read for a bit and lights out. twodoghouse on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326757 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:54:10 +0000 twodoghouse 2326757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't have any energy either. Our bedtimes are usually drama-free, and DH does the entire bath for both kids, but I'm just tired out by 7:30! It's especially hard now that it's so dark by the time the kids are asleep. Usually after they go to bed I lay on the couch while DH does the dishes and cleans up the kitchen. And that's why our laundry situation is out of control and we're overdue for vacuuming upstairs. Oh well! mediagirl on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326749 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:50:41 +0000 mediagirl 2326749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Pumpkin Pie: planning things on certain days could help, that's a good idea. We have Wednesday night TV we like to watch together so we always try to have bedtime done done by 8 so we can watch together. Pumpkin Pie on "How do you get the energy to do anything after your LO's bedtime?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-the-energy-to-do-anything-after-your-los-bedtime#post-2326746 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:48:40 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2326746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I make a huge effort to get LO down to bed by 7:30, and clean up/organizing done by 8:30. I feel like if I have a time goal, it is much more manageable than if I just have a lot of stuff to do. You also try to set "schedules", like Mondays and Wednesdays are TV days, so no cleaning. Tuesdays are early to bed days, so only do things until 8:30 pm, and Fridays are laundry days. It might help.