Ghosts and goblins have got nothing on scary span of time between school pickup and bedtime. Whether someone’s sobbing about the wrong snack, siblings are squabbling, or your kiddos are plain spent from the day, the afternoon hours between 3pm and 5pm can be a challenge. There are, however, a few pointers to help take the fright out of your family’s evenings. Here are five ways to calm after-school chaos and make witching hour more manageable for everyone.
Start with a snack, hold the questions
After a lengthy day of learning and living by all the school rules, kids might be totally wiped. Wouldn’t you be? So, before delving into a deep dive of questions about math homework, a science quiz, or recess activities, arm yourself with a snack and a smile. Aim to have a few easy, satisfying snacks ready at pickup or whenever kids walk through the door. (We’ve got some great ideas.) Sometimes a stick of string cheese and a little time to unwind is all a child needs to reset.
Allow space to decompress
Focus, listening, and concentration at school is hard work, not to mention having to hold all kinds of emotions about learning as well as spending time with peers you might not always gel with. By the time kids arrive home, it’s possible that they don’t have any patience left to parse out. Before starting homework, music lessons, sports, or basically anything that requires energy, try to give them 20 minutes to unwind. Drawing, reading, listening to music, or whatever they choose. (Find some fun screen-free activity ideas.) Some unstructured minutes can make the rest of the evening go way more smoothly.
Keep in mind that movement is magic
Kids acting a little antsy? After sitting still all day, that is understandable. Try adding some simple movement to allow them to release any restless energy before transitioning into the evening. That could be a stroll around the block, a silly game of Simon Says, or simply putting their favorite song on Spotify, cranking it up and dancing hard for three minutes. A few minutes movement can quickly help flip the mood.
Make your evening routine predictable
Rigid rules are definitely not necessary, but a sense of basic structure is always appreciated. Why? You love knowing what comes next, and kids think just like we do. Implementing a consistent routine can help reduce any negotiations that can shift a busy evening into a stand-off over taking a bath or eating their chicken. Try a simple sequence: Snack, play or activity, homework, dinner, bath, a book or story, and bed. You can even get creative and make a visual schedule to help younger kids follow along without constant reminders. Your routine can bend, too. A little flexibility is likely to keep everyone happier.
Call in an extra set of hands
Parents are superheroes, but no one is superhuman. Witching hour can wear on anyone’s patience and sometimes the smartest way to make evenings easier is get some support. An after-school sitter can help with pickups, snacks, homework, and activities, giving kids the attention they need while parents wrap up work or tackle dinner prep or production. Even a few hours of help during the busiest part of the day can make a big difference, and Sittercity loves to help in that department.
Make witching hour less scary
Trust us: Not every afternoon is going to go exactly according to plan. Know that’s to be expected, and it’s absolutely okay. Some days, a simple snack, and a dance party does the trick. Other days, everyone might need a little (or a lot) more patience. The goal isn’t always a perfectly peaceful evening. It’s finding small ways to make witching hour, that hectic stretch of the day we all worry about, easier for everyone.
