https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:57:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896906 Fri, 13 Sep 2019 19:27:57 +0000 erinbaderin 2896906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you seen this from yesterday’s Links Roundup? It might be helpful?https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/school-age/after-school-restraint-collapse-is-a-real-thing-heres-how-to-deal-with-it/?fbclid=IwAR1PUSyGf_NDkJ6bZWkJX5IekofQwVmBHuCtpfEeCk00y0XsjqytGn-YGMY </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896823 Fri, 13 Sep 2019 08:28:17 +0000 graceandjoy 2896823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wrote another post yesterday re: transitions, so I can totally relate! My kindergartner is okay b/c she doesn't go to aftercare so she has some time to decompress after school. But my pre-schooler has aftercare AND no more naps so she has been a monster from like 5pm and on, till bedtime. </p> <p>Now that it's cooler and hopefully the dreadful mosquito are gone I hope to start going to the playground again after dinner. Sometimes we go to the grocery store just to get out. They go nuts and fight at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896822 Fri, 13 Sep 2019 07:51:05 +0000 Ajsmommy 2896822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I relate to this post so hard! I think it is common problem. I have a 5 yo who just started K and before/after care and DS who is in daycare. They too have long days but so do I. I commute 1 hr each way so by the time I pick them up I have been in traffic for 1+ hr.</p> <p>We are all ready to melt down.</p> <p>I usually pick them up between 5-515</p> <p>a few things that work for us:<br /> -a quick stop at the play ground before we even get home. yes this kills me sometimes but if we're not running totally late and it's nice out it really helps all of us. I generally only let them play for 10-15 mins then we're headed home<br /> -doing something outside at home before we go in.. ie: watering our plants, pulling in the trash bin, letting them be out for a few mins before they come in..<br /> -snacks/drink immediately, 3/5 nights one of my kids is hangry or dying for a drink. I carry snacks in my purse so sometimes that will help, if not then I get them nice cold drinks right away when we get inside.<br /> -finally, the dreaded screen time. I put on a show so they can relax while I get dinner ready.... sorry, not sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896814 Fri, 13 Sep 2019 06:17:39 +0000 Foodnerd81 2896814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 6 yo is only in kindergarten 7:45-3:15 with the bus, and the 3.5 yo is just in part time preschool and home with me the rest of the time, and they still bicker non stop the second the big one gets home. I mean they are literally fighting over eeny meeny miney mo right now at the breakfast table. So far I’ve just been letting them turn on the tv until they start fighting about a seat in the couch or something stupid then send them upstairs until dinner. It’s not a great situation at the moment. </p> <p>I also MAY have laughed in the kindergarteners face when she had a meltdown over something so small and ridiculous. Not my finest moment because she really was upset, but it was just so silly I couldn’t help it. Plus it was laugh or want to hit her so I went with laugh. </p> <p>I’m going to try having a healthy snack ready when she gets home and see if that helps break the bad habits. @caitcat: your mom was so smart! Love that idea. I might try it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896808 Fri, 13 Sep 2019 04:52:28 +0000 caitcat 2896808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So this isn't from experience with my kids...but I remember as a young kid myself getting home from long days like that (think 6:30am - 6:30pm). My mom always had a basket of snacks in the car that my brother and I could pick from on our drive home from our after school care. Once we got inside, we also went immediately upstairs to set out our pajamas for that night, and clothes for the next day. As a kid, I just thought my mom wanted us to be prepared, but she said later it was to give her a couple minutes of peace (haha, I totally get it now!) downstairs, and give us a sense of purpose right away at home. Evidently idle hands were a problem in our house! :) She also said often one of us would end up getting distracted and playing more independently upstairs as an added perk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896789 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 21:11:12 +0000 lady baltimore 2896789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the snack in the car idea has a lot of merit! </p> <p>Another thing I might try is establishing separate corners to which everyone is to retreat for a set length of time as soon as they arrive home. Let the kids stock their "spot" with any quiet/independent activities they choose, set a timer or put on a playlist, and let everyone have some space for 15 minutes or so, without any human interaction. Depending on your 18-month-old's temperament, you may have to spend this time with them, or they may be capable of stacking blocks on their own for a few minutes of quiet time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896788 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:37:20 +0000 charm55 2896788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My girls know that I don’t want to listen to their fighting after work. I know they’re tired (but I am too). So if they start bickering incessantly they have to each go to their room for “quiet time” where they play independently with their toys for 15-20 minutes That seems to reset the clock and then they’re good to go. </p> <p>Or - I send them outside to play. Space and fresh air works wonders. </p> <p>Sometimes if they aren’t bickering by the time we get home they can watch a show while I start dinner. </p> <p>But ugh. It’s a draining battle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896787 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:24:54 +0000 Canoli 2896787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: oh my god, yes! My middle son was particularly anxious about starting Kindergarten and is doing great but definitely Big Big emotions at home. It’s so hard to give all the kids the attention they each need and deserve! And forget about transitions for Mom and Dad when we walk in the door! There is no moment to breath! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896782 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 19:51:21 +0000 HappyBaker 2896782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Canoli: ha at least I’m not alone! And I’m glad they all keep it together so great at school but sometimes would prefer them to be a little less good at school and less insane at home! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896781 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 19:50:17 +0000 HappyBaker 2896781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: the chore chart is a great idea, my younger one looooves stuff like that so it is worth a shot! And the hangry thing might be a part of it, I didn’t even think of that! They both have afternoon snack but maybe it’s too far from when we’re getting home, I’m totally going to try having them eat something in the car. Thanks for the ideas! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896779 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 19:49:45 +0000 Canoli 2896779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good Lord! I could have written this. We have 3,5,and a 7 year old boys and it is utter chaos and a complete s#!t show when we walk in the door. We have tried Alexa dance parties with minimal success! I have no advice but i’m so right there with you! #commiseration </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896775 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 19:42:34 +0000 SweetCaroline 2896775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, any chance they are hangry? My brother was always a nightmare until my mom started giving him an applesauce cup when we walked in the door.</p> <p>I hope you find the trick! Evenings are hard even when everyone is happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896774 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 19:37:56 +0000 SweetCaroline 2896774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This isn't as exciting as a dance party, but DD excels with a "chore chart". Basically I printed clip art with 1-3 word descriptors, laminated them, stuck a magnet on the back and put an automotive drip pan (cookie sheet would work too) on the wall with Command strips, stuck the chores to that. She does so well with it because she is independent and likes to emulate what adults do. They could each have some of the same chores (empty backpack, put shoes away, read until the timer ends) and alternating chores (set the table, make the bed).</p> <p>It's kind of out there because you're giving tired kids work to do, but the fact it gives them independence and purpose might keep them out of each other's hair. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-home-after-schoolwork-day#post-2896771 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 19:22:20 +0000 HappyBaker 2896771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids (7 and almost 5) have long days out of the house because of school/daycare and aftercare...they get dropped off around 7am and we get home around 5:30/6pm. They are usually fine on the car ride home but as soon as we pull into the driveway they start fighting and whining and driving each other and me insane. When I get home I am trying to keep their little brother (18 months) occupied while also throwing together a super fast dinner. </p> <p>In the past what has worked is letting them watch one show when we walk in the door, and we would alternate each day who got to pick. But lately I've been having to take away the screen time before we even make it to the living room because they are just being so ridiculously awful to each other and me in the driveway and walking into our house / washing our hands.</p> <p>I'm trying to think of a new routine we could start doing when we get home to have things be more positive / less crazy making. I was thinking maybe a 5 minute dance party or 5 minutes of working on a big puzzle together, but they both thought those ideas were lame. Ha. </p> <p>If you have a good routine for when you get home and your kids aren't trying to murder each other please share what it is! </p>