I pick my 3 year old up from preschool at 4, home by 4:15. In the winter months we head right outside to a playground, bike ride or nature walk until 5-515 or so. Dinner between 530 and 6, play, bath books and bed by 7ish.

In the summer we eat often dinner outside at the park, playground or pool, or have dinner by 530 and head out to play after.

We prioritize being outside, it just works for our family!

It also helps that I work from home, prep dinner during the day and have a rotation of easy/quick dinners and leftovers.

Anonymous wrote:I often pick my kids up from school and daycare, we eat dinner in the wagon as we walk to the playground. Especially on nice days. My kids are asleep before 8pm.

Same. I do a 6pm pickup, eat in the car, at the playground from 6:30-7:15, home for brushing teeth, etc, in bed by 8pm. My kid knows the drill and is the type that can unwind quickly post playground.

Single parent here and on warm days I pick up my kids at 5/5:30 and go to a playground near their school. They are usually ready to leave around 6:30, we swing by Chick Fil A, have dinner and a bath. They are in bed by 8:30.

Anonymous wrote:This is op. It does matter to me because I am jealous how could other family manage to do this. I have never taken my kids to playground on weekday late afternoon or evening, and yesterday was the first time ever. They were overjoyed, and that's why I wonder how could they do that.

I took off work early yesterday, or otherwise normally I pick up my kids from daycare/school between 6 - 6:30pm straight from office. Then, we go home, cook dinner, eat dinner, too dark and too cold to get out.

Lots of parents work from home or have a flex schedule.

I don’t work now but I used to work and I always wondered how working parents are able to take kids to sports at 4:30. Soccer and tennis practice is always at 4 or 4:30 or 5.

When kids were younger, we would take kids to the playground often if we had an early day.

Who do you care? It was before or after dinner.

We eat dinner 5-7, most days around 5:30-6.

We used to live across the street from a school. We would go anytime so it may have been right before or right after dinner. Does it really matter?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kids must get really unusually sweaty if they need a shower after playing at the playground.

this is a cultural thing around dirt, my husband is asian and he would get grossed out if the kids didn't bathe and change after they came home plus no shoes in the house, since we've moved to th suburbs though he has calmed down. still no shoes in the house though but in winter we dont shower every single day.

This is a your husband thing, not an “Asian” thing.

Anonymous wrote:No, who eats that early? usually we divide and conquer - one parents picks up kid at 5:30 from school and goes to playground until 7, while the other cooks dinner. Bath is not every night, so usually in bed by 8:30 anyway. Yesterday we both went, had dinner at 8.

I have 3 young kids and they eat at 5:30/6pm every night. Otherwise they would "snack" the whole time because they are legit hungry and then wouldn't eat any real dinner. I have dinner waiting on the table for as soon as they are home from daycare. After that when its nice and still sunny out we go out to ride bikes or play on the playset.

So, you’re asking why these families were at the playground in the evening while you were also at the playground in the evening? Just like you they were probably… playing. My kids don’t need 2 hours of indoor time before bed so being at the playground at 7 is normal.

OP, if yesterday was the first time you have been to a playground in the evening ever, I guess that I can see how you were confused. Yesterday was pajama day for my kids in DC, my niece in Seattle, and my nephew in Connecticut. It happens once a year for Dr. Seuss’s Birthday. Go to the playground any other day of the year at 5:30 and you will not see multiple kids in pajamas.

Different families have different routines. My kids are in bed by 8:30 but I know a ton of people whose kids don't eat dinner until 7:30 and go to bed around 10:00. Whatever works, works. Also, a lot of those families may live walking distance from the school.

No, who eats that early? usually we divide and conquer - one parents picks up kid at 5:30 from school and goes to playground until 7, while the other cooks dinner. Bath is not every night, so usually in bed by 8:30 anyway. Yesterday we both went, had dinner at 8.

I pick up at 5 pm sharp. If it’s a lovely day I pack drinks and snacks or a light dinner and we head straight to the playground, then home. DD will eat again if she’s still hungry. I don’t do baths every day in winter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is op. It does matter to me because I am jealous how could other family manage to do this. I have never taken my kids to playground on weekday late afternoon or evening, and yesterday was the first time ever. They were overjoyed, and that's why I wonder how could they do that.

I took off work early yesterday, or otherwise normally I pick up my kids from daycare/school between 6 - 6:30pm straight from office. Then, we go home, cook dinner, eat dinner, too dark and too cold to get out.

Sometimes your soul just needs take out dinner at the park. Swing through a drive through before pick up, go right to playground, eat and play, skip baths, and soak up those fleeting moments.

Yes. Try this.

But try to maintain a bit of the routine back home. Young one thrive in routine. Just shorten it.

Not everyone works up a sweat playing at a playground in March. Also, not every kid showers/bathes every day.

It takes my kids 5 minutes to rinse off in the shower. That's not a huge time suck.