Reply to Half hour—how can I make my evenings run more smoothly?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'd go to the bathroom. Spend a solid 15-20 minutes uninterrupted BY.MY.SELF!

Then I'd make sure that the table for homework is cleared so that they can sit and start their homework immediately. While they're doing that, I would start dinner with the ability to go back and forth between checking on dinner and helping with homework.

When homework is done, I would send them off for their tv/play/personal time while I finish dinner, then we sit down to eat together - no electronics. You could discuss their "roses and thorns" of the day.

After dinner, let the 7 year old take a bath (my DD6 bathes herself incredibly well. She just takes a long time) while the 9 year old cleans up any toys/books. I imagine there's a bit of ruckus between them, so this gives them some necessary separation to wind down. Meanwhile, you're in the kitchen packing away leftovers for your lunch tomorrow and loading the dishwasher. Then the 7 year old gets out of the tub and inevitably finds some reason to run around the house naked. You tell them to bring you their empty lunch bags, then to get their pjs on and clean up any toys that DC9 missed.

DC9 then heads into the bathroom for a shower while you start prepping their lunches for tomorrow. If you're sending hot lunch/thermos, then pack the drinks, fruit, and snacks. Then DC9 will come out of the bathroom entirely too quickly, so send them back in to "use soap this time" while you make sure that the keurig is filled, or prep a traditional coffee maker as needed. Then make sure that all backpacks have homework actually INSIDE the bags and that they are now settled by the front/garage door for the morning.

Then DC9 is out of the shower for real this time and while they get into their pjs, go with DC7 to choose their clothes for the next day. If they wear uniforms, make sure that all elements are available, clean and pressed. Rinse and repeat this step for DC9, then make sure both kids have brushed their teeth.

Now move on to story time and goodnight kisses, and it's lights out. Pour yourself a glass of wine and read a chapter or two of that book, then on your way to bed stop by the kitchen and turn on the dishwasher.

Live to fight another day.
[/quote]

This this this!!
Spend that half hour in yourself! Play words with friends or surf DCUM the entire time if you want. The second the kids come home, have them park at the kitchen table and do homework while you make dinner. If they don’t have homework, they can read at the table or tell you about their day. Alternate one on one time with each kid as the other one bathes. Any household chores that need to be done, kids should help with before they get to relax. [/quote]

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