my kids are so energetic after 10 hours in daycare/school

[Anonymous]

Agree on walk or playground

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a playground near my 2-year-old's daycare. I take her there for at least 20 mins after school, even if it's cold or getting dark. Gets the wiggles out.

Also, people are giving you sh*t, but I'm with you, OP. Weeknights are a tired time and I just want to rest; it's hard to deal with young kids who don't understand that, even if they've been in care elsewhere all day.

Also, anyone who truly works full time should understand that 10h a day is ... pretty standard. Imagine an average person who works 9 to 5 and has a commute both ways. That's 9 hours. Plus some wiggle room for any delays, traffic, urgent work stuff. That isn't a punishing BigLaw schedule -- that's a normal working adult schedule.

I love telework, but it's given people unrealistic expectations for what a full-time workday is.

I am a PP here - but my DH does BigLaw and yes he works insane hours. But that is why I chose to work a more normal job with limited commuting so that I could be there with my kids. Otherwise what was the point of having them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a playground near my 2-year-old's daycare. I take her there for at least 20 mins after school, even if it's cold or getting dark. Gets the wiggles out.

Also, people are giving you sh*t, but I'm with you, OP. Weeknights are a tired time and I just want to rest; it's hard to deal with young kids who don't understand that, even if they've been in care elsewhere all day.

Also, anyone who truly works full time should understand that 10h a day is ... pretty standard. Imagine an average person who works 9 to 5 and has a commute both ways. That's 9 hours. Plus some wiggle room for any delays, traffic, urgent work stuff. That isn't a punishing BigLaw schedule -- that's a normal working adult schedule.

I love telework, but it's given people unrealistic expectations for what a full-time workday is.

How much energy does it really take to play with your kids? OP’s kids want to play a board game or in the play kitchen. You literally just sit there.

I’m curious what OP does during the kids screen time. If she’s on a screen too, that’s not resting, it’s highly stimulating. Playing with your kids can be relaxing, she doesn’t have to run around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a playground near my 2-year-old's daycare. I take her there for at least 20 mins after school, even if it's cold or getting dark. Gets the wiggles out.

Also, people are giving you sh*t, but I'm with you, OP. Weeknights are a tired time and I just want to rest; it's hard to deal with young kids who don't understand that, even if they've been in care elsewhere all day.

Also, anyone who truly works full time should understand that 10h a day is ... pretty standard. Imagine an average person who works 9 to 5 and has a commute both ways. That's 9 hours. Plus some wiggle room for any delays, traffic, urgent work stuff. That isn't a punishing BigLaw schedule -- that's a normal working adult schedule.

I love telework, but it's given people unrealistic expectations for what a full-time workday is.

How much energy does it really take to play with your kids? OP’s kids want to play a board game or in the play kitchen. You literally just sit there.

I’m curious what OP does during the kids screen time. If she’s on a screen too, that’s not resting, it’s highly stimulating. Playing with your kids can be relaxing, she doesn’t have to run around.

Playing with a 6-year-old doesn't take energy. As the mom of the 2-year-old, I'm guessing that's the draining part of it. Love my child; hate this age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a playground near my 2-year-old's daycare. I take her there for at least 20 mins after school, even if it's cold or getting dark. Gets the wiggles out.

Also, people are giving you sh*t, but I'm with you, OP. Weeknights are a tired time and I just want to rest; it's hard to deal with young kids who don't understand that, even if they've been in care elsewhere all day.

Also, anyone who truly works full time should understand that 10h a day is ... pretty standard. Imagine an average person who works 9 to 5 and has a commute both ways. That's 9 hours. Plus some wiggle room for any delays, traffic, urgent work stuff. That isn't a punishing BigLaw schedule -- that's a normal working adult schedule.

I love telework, but it's given people unrealistic expectations for what a full-time workday is.

How much energy does it really take to play with your kids? OP’s kids want to play a board game or in the play kitchen. You literally just sit there.

I’m curious what OP does during the kids screen time. If she’s on a screen too, that’s not resting, it’s highly stimulating. Playing with your kids can be relaxing, she doesn’t have to run around.

Playing with a 6-year-old doesn't take energy. As the mom of the 2-year-old, I'm guessing that's the draining part of it. Love my child; hate this age.

mom of A 2-year-old * not the same one!

[Anonymous]

It’s hard op but gets a bit easier as they get older. Agree with stopping on the way home at a playground-even just for 15 min that really helps! Also I do dance parties even just 10 min helps. Also the after dinner neighborhood walking is great, outdoors is always better.

[Anonymous]

This is really, really sad. Structure your life better so a) your kids aren’t in daycare 10 hours a day, and b) you have energy and desire to spend time with them. If that means downsizing and one or both of you take a more flexible job, so be it. Btw this is coming from a FT working mom. If I had your life I would quit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is really, really sad. Structure your life better so a) your kids aren’t in daycare 10 hours a day, and b) you have energy and desire to spend time with them. If that means downsizing and one or both of you take a more flexible job, so be it. Btw this is coming from a FT working mom. If I had your life I would quit.

Even in this economy ("Great Resignation," etc) most people do not have the clout to just..."take a more flexible job" and make a new life. Especially in a high cost of living area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are 2 and 6, and both kids spend like 10 hours in daycare/school. After dinner is like 7pm-7:30pm, and they want me to play with them for like an hour. I am super exhausted, so does DH. I feel awesome when kids want me to play with them but I have no energy so I give them screentime instead. I don't even understand why they are still so hyper after school. 6 year old wants me to play board game/card game and 2 year old wants me to dance/sing with her or play toy kitchen after school.

I am curious if do you play with kids after work on weekday?

Absolutely! That’s the best part of the day! I want the connection too! It’s the weekends that drain me sometimes - hard to be on 24-7 with no break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel awesome when kids want me to play with them but I have no energy so I give them screentime instead.

OP you'll look back on this a few years from now and you won't believe that your kids were choosing offline play over screen time. I hope the PPs' suggestions are helpful. I know you're tired but think long term. Don't create more problems for yourself down the line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is really, really sad. Structure your life better so a) your kids aren’t in daycare 10 hours a day, and b) you have energy and desire to spend time with them. If that means downsizing and one or both of you take a more flexible job, so be it. Btw this is coming from a FT working mom. If I had your life I would quit.

Even in this economy ("Great Resignation," etc) most people do not have the clout to just..."take a more flexible job" and make a new life. Especially in a high cost of living area.

Unless OP and her spouse are line workers at McDonald’s, yeah they can do better.

[Anonymous]

wow. this is so sad.

[Anonymous]

OP I feel you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a playground near my 2-year-old's daycare. I take her there for at least 20 mins after school, even if it's cold or getting dark. Gets the wiggles out.

Also, people are giving you sh*t, but I'm with you, OP. Weeknights are a tired time and I just want to rest; it's hard to deal with young kids who don't understand that, even if they've been in care elsewhere all day.

Also, anyone who truly works full time should understand that 10h a day is ... pretty standard. Imagine an average person who works 9 to 5 and has a commute both ways. That's 9 hours. Plus some wiggle room for any delays, traffic, urgent work stuff. That isn't a punishing BigLaw schedule -- that's a normal working adult schedule.

I love telework, but it's given people unrealistic expectations for what a full-time workday is.

How much energy does it really take to play with your kids? OP’s kids want to play a board game or in the play kitchen. You literally just sit there.

I’m curious what OP does during the kids screen time. If she’s on a screen too, that’s not resting, it’s highly stimulating. Playing with your kids can be relaxing, she doesn’t have to run around.

Playing with a 6-year-old doesn't take energy. As the mom of the 2-year-old, I'm guessing that's the draining part of it. Love my child; hate this age.

It’s still draining at six, just different. You’ll learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a playground near my 2-year-old's daycare. I take her there for at least 20 mins after school, even if it's cold or getting dark. Gets the wiggles out.

Also, people are giving you sh*t, but I'm with you, OP. Weeknights are a tired time and I just want to rest; it's hard to deal with young kids who don't understand that, even if they've been in care elsewhere all day.

Also, anyone who truly works full time should understand that 10h a day is ... pretty standard. Imagine an average person who works 9 to 5 and has a commute both ways. That's 9 hours. Plus some wiggle room for any delays, traffic, urgent work stuff. That isn't a punishing BigLaw schedule -- that's a normal working adult schedule.

I love telework, but it's given people unrealistic expectations for what a full-time workday is.

CO-SIGN and traffic is only moderately better during rush hour now. I’m not looking forward to when everyone comes back to the office. Phew.