I do this and LOVE it

Grocery shop
Prep Lunch
Feed dogs/take out trash/clean up kitchen/prep dinner
Put up laundry

I feel like I have a head start before my daughter gets home (shes only 3) and it makes such a big difference.

Well, I’d use it for something that would make me happy. Why be so utilitarian? How about a nap, or a jog, or eating bonbons while reading a book? My guess is that if your evenings are chaotic, that is a different problem that having an extra half hour can’t solve. But maybe having a half hour to yourself would solve other problems, like stress. So use it!

I think you should either meal prep or do a quick 30 minute yoga video. The exercise will clear your head and get you out of work mode, it counts as self-care, it will put you in a better mood, and even if nothing else changes about your hectic evenings: you worked out today! Good job!

I'd prep dinner
put away as much as possible any clutter so the mess that my kids come home and dump all over doesn't create a giant supermess.
pack my bag and lay out my clothes for work next day to make my mornings easier

PP was harsher than needed but 7 and 9 year old need to help out. They can at least put their dishes in the dishwasher, make their own lunches for the next day, and lay out their clothes to wear tomorrow.

During that half hour, I'd focus on prepping dinner so that all you'd have to do is pop it in the oven. That would save me a ton of time.

Prep dinner
Change out of my work clothes

That's probably all I'd have time to do in 30 minutes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Discipline your kids so they're better behaved, and have them do more.

They behave just fine but I’m overwhelmed by myself. Please be helpful instead of tearing people down.

You're the one who said it's pure chaos. When each kid gets home, give them a task to do. Or, have a list written out that they follow. Create order.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can tell us how old your kids are, and what you're trying to accomplish in the evenings.

Sorry, didn’t think it mattered. They are 7 and 9. I’m a single parent, if that matters. I’m just trying to keep up homework, cooking, laundry, tending to their needs (7yo isn’t great at showering alone, for example), plus my own needs in the evening. I’m debating using this time for self care (like reading the book I’m too exhausted to open at 8:30) or to meal prep, clean so the house is tidy before they come home adding to the mess, etc.

Yes, a 7 and 9 yr old are capable of a lot more than a 1 and 3 yr old.
Have them fold the laundry.
Have them empty the garbage.
Have them help in the kitchen.
Have them make their lunches for the next day.

Anonymous wrote:Discipline your kids so they're better behaved, and have them do more.

They behave just fine but I’m overwhelmed by myself. Please be helpful instead of tearing people down.

I'd prep dinner so that when they walk through the door I can give them my full attention for a bit. Or, if they don't want/need my full attention right away, dinner is on it's way and I can do some other chore that will help the evening or next day go well. Put away laundry, straighten up, unpack and repack lunch bags or back packs.

So like PP said, what are you struggling to get done each evening? Do that.

But my main one is dinner prep. Chopping veggies, marinating meat, turning on the oven, starting water to boil, clearing off the table and setting it etc.

Anonymous wrote:You can tell us how old your kids are, and what you're trying to accomplish in the evenings.

Sorry, didn’t think it mattered. They are 7 and 9. I’m a single parent, if that matters. I’m just trying to keep up homework, cooking, laundry, tending to their needs (7yo isn’t great at showering alone, for example), plus my own needs in the evening. I’m debating using this time for self care (like reading the book I’m too exhausted to open at 8:30) or to meal prep, clean so the house is tidy before they come home adding to the mess, etc.

Discipline your kids so they're better behaved, and have them do more.

Set up the coffee pot for the morning
Prep something for breakfasts or lunches the next morning, or prep something you'll need for dinner the following day
Tidy up the house (if this is something you normally do in the evening)

You can tell us how old your kids are, and what you're trying to accomplish in the evenings.

My schedule at work has changed and I’m now able to be home a half hour before the kids get home from school. I feel like from the second they are home until they go to bed, it’s like pure chaos that I can’t keep up with, and then I’m too exhausted to do anything after they go to bed.. What can I do in this half hour, if anything, to make my evenings run more smoothly?