https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:03:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2257784 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:48:23 +0000 lawbee11 2257784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't do a snack or eat as soon as we walk in the door. My LO usually runs off to play or read a book...I guess she just isn't that hungry when we get home? They do have a snack at daycare around 3. </p> <p>4:45--Pick up LO<br /> 5:00--Arrive home<br /> 5:00-6:00--Play/read books (DH plays with her while I cook or vice versa; if DH isn't home she watches 15-20 min of tv while I cook)<br /> 6:15--Dinner (we eat together as a family most nights)<br /> 6:45--Bath<br /> 7/7:15--Bed</p> <p>ETA: We do a lot of crock pot meals so dinner prep is usually pretty quick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2257734 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:53:14 +0000 looch 2257734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My routine isn't much different than what has been posted, but I too struggle with turning to screens to give my son something to do while i prepped dinner or whatever, so one thing that I did was to put a few bins of art supplies in my kitchen that my son had free reign over while I prepared dinner. There are stickers, paper, crayons, paints, playdough, assorted toy cars, paper towel rolls, masking tape, etc in those boxes.</p> <p>eta: the other thing we do is to just do dinners that i can prep ahead and pop into the oven while we head to the back yard and go swimming. It's worked out very well too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2257699 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:19:35 +0000 mrs. wagon 2257699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a steadfast rule of no TV during the week unless it's a special occasion (a holiday, someone is sick, etc). Even with our kids always having had this rule, it's still tough to stick to! They still ask for it all the time. And they look forward to weekends so much. Haha. They're like little adults. "I can't wait for the weekends!"</p> <p>Here is our daily routine. We are lucky to work on the same schedule so one of us can handle the kids while the other does the household items. </p> <p>Our LOs are 5 and 3</p> <p>5:30: Pick up at daycare<br /> 5:50: Arrive at home, kids put away their backpacks, bring me their lunch bags, and start playing with Daddy as I start prepping dinner<br /> 6:15: All eat dinner together<br /> 6:45: Everyone puts their dishes away, more playing with Daddy as I go upstairs to prep bedtime: run the bath, set out toothbrushes, lay out pajamas and the next day's clothes, turn on humidifiers and air conditioners and nightlights<br /> 7:00: Kids and Daddy head upstairs for bath and bedtime, I throw laundry in if it's laundry night and head downstairs to wash dishes and pack lunches<br /> 7:30: Kids are in bed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2257694 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:17:37 +0000 catomd00 2257694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6:00 get home, DD nurses and feeds the dog. Pop her in her bike and take the dog for a quick stroll.<br /> 6:30 start dinner (usually DH is just getting he. If not, I give dd a snack to occupy her -cheese stick or fruit) and go back and forth with her playing alone and whining for me<br /> To hold her. Definitely the most challenging part of the evening before DH gets home! I'll put on Mickey or let her play with the iPad if I get desperate!)<br /> 7:00 dinner<br /> 7:30 Dh and I play with DD<br /> 8:00 upstairs to get ready for bed<br /> &amp;:15-8:30 DD is in bed. DH will clean up the dishes or we will both do it together after DD is asleep.<br /> 9:00 DH and I are in bed<br /> 10:00 lights out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2257578 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 07:55:18 +0000 Ajsmommy 2257578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our nightly routine isn't set in stone, it depends on what is for dinner. Some nights DD gets fed and is in bed before we make dinner/eat, other nights we make dinner early and we all eat together.</p> <p>415 pick up from daycare<br /> 420 home, free play (or bath if it's bath night)<br /> 500 DD dinner (us too if we make dinner early)<br /> 530-645 free play, tv is on, DH usually watching sports center, we will change it if DD requests it to cartoons<br /> 645-7 upstairs for bedtime routine</p> <p>We have four different play areas in our house so free play usually takes place in each spot through out the night. The only one that has a tv is the living room. (out front with sidewalk chalk/kiddie pool, living room, outback deck with water table, downstairs/back deck basketball hoop, building blocks, daybed, radio flyer) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2257572 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 07:44:04 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2257572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: The other change I just found is that you can turn off the "auto-play" so that it doesn't automatically turn on the next episode after the first had ended. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2257570 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 07:40:48 +0000 DillonLion 2257570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: no cable for us either! Just Daniel Tiger on Netflix and whatnot </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2257561 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 07:30:06 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2257561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: We got rid of our cable and honestly it helped us cut back on TV a lot. We still have a ton of stuff with Hulu and Netflix but it takes a bit more time to navigate to a show versus just mindlessly flipping it on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256867 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:23:16 +0000 DillonLion 2256867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Good ideas! Honestly, I just want to get rid of our TVs and just stick to other hobbies for relaxation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256866 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:22:06 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2256866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: Also, instead of TV during dinner we often just turn on music. Still something nice to listen to. You could even find some kids music. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256862 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:20:32 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2256862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: We either do something really small and light (a few apple slices, share a cheese stick, couple of raisins, etc). Lately she's been really happy (and responsible) with a marker and pad of paper in the car. Before that we would sing to the CD. Or maybe let her watch a show or game on your phone in the car with the understanding that no TV when you get home. </p> <p>The biggest problem was finding something to distract them while your cooking/prepping. It seems like they need a lot of attention at that time and TV is a really easy outlet (but like you said not good). What about hitting up the library and giving one book per day when you get in the house? It might be enough to buy you a few minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256858 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:16:14 +0000 Smurfette 2256858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She wants to eat the minute we walk in the door(530ih). So she always gets leftovers or stuff I can cook super fast. Then we go for a walk, play, or she watches 1-2 shows. Depends on her mood. Then bath and in bed by 8. </p> <p>She used to ask to watch TV the minute we get home and I just started saying no. Now it is a treat that she can watch it while she eats. She can see the TV from the table. DH and I eat after she goes to bed. Tonight she is eating our dinner from last night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256855 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:14:47 +0000 NovBaby1112 2256855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was getting into the same habit lately of turning on TV when we got home and letting her watch with dinner. I'm actively working on cutting bsvk her TV use so now she only gets 1 30 min show before bed a day, some days are none. </p> <p>Here is our routine now:<br /> 4:45- pick up LO<br /> 5:00- home and I start to get dinner ready. She will play independently with her toys while I make dinner<br /> 5:30- eat (just me and LO bc DH works late)<br /> 6:00- go outside in yard or go to park<br /> 7/7:30- bath then books, maybe an episode of a show<br /> 8- bedtime </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256851 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:12:56 +0000 Modern Daisy 2256851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have always waited for LO to go to bed before making our own dinner that way our evenings are less hectic! DS is 2 and still doesn't watch tv. He is usually ready for dinner once we walk through the door so I always try to have something readily available. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256850 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:12:33 +0000 DillonLion 2256850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: Apron is a good idea. We both have to dress formally (and uncomfortably) for work!</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: What do they do in the car on the way home instead of snacking? My LO will have a meltdown if I don't give any snacks. I feel like the only things that entertain her are food or screens. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256849 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:09:44 +0000 su9su9 2256849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 5 and 3 so it's a lot easier.</p> <p>4:15pm pick up from school (my husband does that)<br /> 4:30pm everyone arrives home, change, I cook dinner, kids play<br /> 5:15pm everyone eats, clean up<br /> 5:45pm free play, my daughter reads to me (school work)<br /> 6:45pm shower, books<br /> 7:30pm in bed!</p> <p>My 5 yo doesn't nap at school and 7:30 is a perfect bedtime for her. She falls asleep in minutes. My 3 yo naps at school and stays awake for about 30 minutes. Definitely makes it easy for the adults to have free time when they go to bed early! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256845 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:04:50 +0000 Mrs D 2256845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 23 months...here is our routine:</p> <p>I pick up between 5:15-5:30.<br /> Home between 5:30-5:45<br /> Dinner Immediately (either already prepped with minimal to complete, DH BBQ or leftovers)<br /> Dinner is at the table - little one facing away from the TV which is sometimes on and sometimes not on<br /> Dinner Ends by 6:15<br /> After dinner activity 6:15-6:45 (walk around the block, playing in the driveway, playing in the basement or watching a show - only allowed if weather is bad or LO had a bad nap and is fussy)<br /> 6:45 start bedtime routine<br /> 7pm Bed</p> <p>Couple of adjustments. If I do pick up (80% of the time) DH helps prep dinner because he is home by 5. If DH gets LO - I get home earlier so I can do more meal prep.</p> <p>If I am prepping dinner DH is entertaining DD. Vice versa - if DH is BBQing I handle DD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256840 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:02:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2256840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually DH gets home with them first and tries to just get all the bags in the house and stuff put away. </p> <p>When it comes time to actually prep dinner, one of us watches kids and one of us does dinner. </p> <p>Sitting down at the table with the TV off is a non-negotiable for us. That is our family time even though its tough after a long day of work. Sometimes I dont get to eat because I'm feeding children, but thats ok. </p> <p>If you need a distraction for her after work, maybe find a new special toy or activity just for that purpose? Stickers are great! </p> <p>We also find its much easier to get everyone to sit down and eat if they dont have a snack ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256831 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:57:23 +0000 kodybear 2256831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my kids are 2.5 and 1</p> <p>515-pickup from daycare, go home and they play at the kitchen table with toys/crayons/snacks<br /> 530-eat dinner at the dinner table<br /> 6-go outside and take a walk/playground/get the mail/etc<br /> 7-start winding down<br /> 715 - bath<br /> 730 - get ready for bed. we usually put the 1 year old to bed first<br /> 8 - older lo is in bed</p> <p>we don't allow tv on the weekdays, mostly bc they are tired and tv time somehow ends in tantrums/whining/crying when we turn it off. so we only let them watch on the weekends. we just try to keep them happy by being outside. being cooped up in the house at night usually ends in some sort of crying/whining </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256817 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:51:54 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 2256817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4.5 years and 2.5 years</p> <p>4:45 pm - pickup LO's<br /> 5 pm - get home, and they play while I prep dinner<br /> 5:30 pm - all eat together<br /> 6 pm - play some more... often times we'll take them to the park or go for a walk<br /> 8 pm - bath<br /> 8-9 pm - free play - this could be coloring, playdoh, play ipad games, read books, or pretend play (with my little ponies, rescuebots, magnatiles, etc)<br /> 9 pm - get them ready for bed (brush teeth, potty, read books)<br /> 9:30 pm - bed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256813 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:51:08 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2256813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine is 2, and our routine goes like this:</p> <p>Pickup - 5:30-5:45<br /> Drive home - ~15 minutes. Sometimes we let LO watch TV on a phone/iPad while in the car. She doesn't like being in the car seat at all and especially if she's extra wired from an active day, it actually helps to have that time for her to relax a bit, for us not to constantly fuss with her, and it usually gives us a good segway to say "OK, time to say night night to the TV, we'll see it tomorrow." </p> <p>Dinner - 6:15ish. After we get in the door, LO goes to play with her toys and we clean up. LO is usually super hungry when we get home so we have pre-made dinners in the fridge that we grab and heat up for her. Our dinner varies day to day - we'll either eat something that was pre-made on the weekend or make something quick as LO is eating. Sometimes she'll want to watch TV while eating or before/after but we usually say that *insert name of character* is also having dinner. It's only if she's really having a hard time sitting down that we give in, but we really try to avoid it. </p> <p>Playtime - 6:30/6:45-7:30. Husband and I take turns hanging out with her if she wants company (if she's playing on her own we leave her be), making dinner for us, etc. </p> <p>Bathtime/bedtime routine - 7:30-8</p> <p>LO in bed by 8:15, we might eat dinner at this point, though usually I prefer to do it earlier since we get hungry too and it's kind of late to eat. And I pass out by 9:30 since we have to rise and shine by 6. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256811 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:50:15 +0000 LuLu Mom 2256811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4:30- pick up<br /> 5: home. She watches 1 show while I start dinner/work out.<br /> 5:30: DH home and takes over kids so I finish workout.<br /> 6: we eat /clean up kitchen/play<br /> 7:30: bath<br /> 8:30: bedtime </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256803 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:47:23 +0000 mauxie 2256803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you just tell LO that the TV isn't an option today/isn't working and then have something new (but simple) to pique her interest while you prep dinner? I'm thinking new crayons/markers, a stencil, sticker book, etc. Or, get LO more involved in the dinner prep itself? Even if it just like setting out napkins or plates, etc. </p> <p>M/W/F we do family meals, and one parent will play with the kids wherever in the house while the other gets things ready. Usually though they like to stay close and play in the kitchen or dining area haha. </p> <p>T/Th I have them to myself bc DH works late, so they play in the kitchen alongside me while I prep/cook/clean (they have a small table, some toys, and a mini kitchen).</p> <p>We don't do TV time normally so if I turn something on after dinner on Friday, it's a "treat" and only if they've cleaned up their toys in both the kitchen and living room.. I think if you set the precedent that it's not gonna happen, they catch on and will find other things to do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256794 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:41:21 +0000 AmandaB8 2256794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5:30 - pick up DD<br /> 5:30-6ish DD watches TV while we change and make dinner<br /> 6-630: TV off, we eat dinner<br /> 6:30-7:30 - DD plays with us, one of us might fold laundry or such<br /> 7:30 - bath time<br /> 7:45 - 8:30 - bedtime milk, watch tv, general wind down<br /> 8:30 - bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256780 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:38:44 +0000 Adira 2256780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 LOs: 2.5 years, 8 months.</p> <p>5:00 Pickup<br /> 5:30 Nurse Logan while Xander has a snack and tries to distract us<br /> 6:00 Dinner! Usually Hubs will get Xander's dinner started while I'm making our dinner, or sometimes Xander ends up eating before we do, but there's no TV at this time.<br /> 6:30 TV usually (although on bath night, TV is limited to only 10 minutes)<br /> 7:00 Upstairs for playing and getting ready for bed<br /> 7:30 I nurse Logan and put him to bed while my husband reads stories/sings songs and puts Xander to bed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256776 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:38:11 +0000 Chillybear 2256776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is almost 2<br /> 5:00 - pick up at daycare, drive home<br /> 6:00 - walk in the door, read mail<br /> 6:15-7 - cook dinner, LO can play with toys, Only the local/world news is on TV, hubs and I take turns, if he's out back grilling she goes with him, If i'm inside at the stove I set her up with coloring books and crayons.<br /> 7:00 - dinner at the table<br /> 7:45 - bath time, I get changed, hubs washes dishes<br /> 8:15-8:30 - LO gets her bed time routine and Jon takes dog for a walk.<br /> by 9:00 I'm back downstairs to relax or get ready for the next day.<br /> 10:30 bed time</p> <p>Since its the summer, we push bedtime back a little bit so we can go for walks after dinner or got get ice cream or play outside. </p> <p>You can try eating outside for a few nights so that your away from the TV. I really just try not to turn it on at all if i can help it or i get sucked it. </p> <p>We've also started putting on music when we get home and its known to start a few impromptu dance parties (plus we feel like we're giving her some musical education)</p> <p>ETA: I work in a pretty casual place so jeans, legging etc are totally acceptable so I dont change out of my clothes until much later but i have heard of people just throwing on an apron instead of completely changing when they get in from work </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256768 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:33:10 +0000 Corduroy 2256768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO1 is almost 2.5. I'm on maternity leave now but our post-daycare schedule hasn't changed.</p> <p>5:30 Pickup<br /> 5:30-6:30 Walk home from daycare, go to park, or play out front with neighbors.<br /> 6:30 DH gets home<br /> 6:30-7:00 Prep dinner while DH entertains LO1<br /> 7:00-7:45 Eat dinner at table.<br /> 7:45 Start bedtime (we don't do bath nightly)<br /> 8:00 Bedtime</p> <p>We eat at the table because LO spills in the living room and cleaning up spills takes too much time. We eat together because she needs to eat every time she sees us eating so separate meals don't work for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256750 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:25:22 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2256750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is almost 11 months. This is what our evenings look like:</p> <p>5:30-5:45 pick up from daycare<br /> 6 - get home, and change clothes. LO plays on floor<br /> 6:10-6:30 - heart dinner, eat, feed LO<br /> 7- LO bath time<br /> 7:15 - bottle, story, play<br /> 7:30-7:45 LO bed time<br /> 8:00 - dishes, make bottles, food for LO<br /> 8:30 - next day dinner prep<br /> 9:00 - wash up, maybe watch a little tv<br /> 10:00 - into bed and sleeping by 10:30-11 if possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohms-what-is-your-evening-routine-like#post-2256724 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:14:24 +0000 DillonLion 2256724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've gotten into a really bad habit and I need advice on how to break it. Lately, as soon as we walk in the door, she wants to sit in her highchair, eat, and watch TV. At first this wasn't a big deal to me because we needed her distracted while we got dinner ready/changed out of our work clothes. But I don't really like this habit of walking in the door, sitting down, and eating while watching TV for my LO. I think it is setting the stage for really poor health habits. </p> <p>Maybe one of us needs to be on LO duty when we get home and keep her distracted? She already eats a snack on the way home, so that hasn't helped so far. </p> <p>We also all wind up eating dinner in front of the TV every night, and I want to break that too. But we are so fried by the end of the day I have trouble convincing anyone to sit at the dinner table (myself included). </p> <p>We do a good job of preparing healthy dinners and using the crock pot, so we at least have that going for us. And once we finish eating, we usually do something active like a walk. So we are halfway there on this stuff, I think. But I want to get better!</p> <p>How do you have a wholesome/healthy family evening if you work full-time and don't get home until late? </p>