What do you do with kids after tea and before bed?

[Chocolategirl7]

My two (aged 9 and 6) are resisting going to bed because they actually aren't tired. They usually have tea about 6pm (after we get in from work) and I've been chasing them upstairs from about 7. In the short time in between they usually watch some tv.
As the period between tea finishing and bedtime gets longer, I don't want to just leave them in front of the TV but I'm usually in the kitchen tidying up and making tea for DH.

So what do you do with your kids in this time? Thank you!

[SunnyRandall]

Mine are 5 and 7. We always do something quiet together, or dh+ds and me+dd. So play card games, board game, Barbies/cars, puzzles etc. We have always done this since they were tiny but are lucky as I am sahm (at the mo) and dh gets in from work at 5pm.

Dreading next wk when it's back to homework/reading/spellings/rush/nag/moan

[Chocolategirl7]

That sounds idyllic!
I work 4 days and my DH doesn't get home till 7.30pm so it feels quite hard - especially as I'm trying to do DH and my tea, pack lunches and clear up a bit. But I do feel I should do something rather than just let them veg.

[dancestomyowntune]

mine are 5, 6, 7, & 11. 11 year old dances every night until 8/9pm (has tea at the studios). she comes home and generally has a shower and straight to bed!

7,6, &5yos dance three night a week until approx 5:30/6pm. usually have packed tea those nights, come home have bath, read, story, perhaps telly and then bed. on nights with no dance we play uno/board games before tea and then the same routine as after dancing.

autumn term will (hopefully) see ds1 in panto rehearsals two nights a week until 9pm. he coped well with this last year.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

We all eat the same food (usually) so that cuts out cooking for DH. When school restarts they'll have some nights when they will be out at brownies/cubs/karate etc. The other nights we do things like TV, football, reading, board games etc. Tonight we all had a go at redesigning our garden and will hopefully pooling all of ideas soon

[Dropdeadfred2]

if think 7pm was an early bedtime for a 9 year old...it's it because you want them both upstairs at the same time??
board games, reading, drawing, or ps3/Wii happens here

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Where do the children eat? Are you preparing one meal for them and then one for yourselves? Could DC1 have lights out at 7.30 or 7.45 instead of 7?

[Chocolategirl7]

Thanks JJJulie, we do eat different things. With the kids it's something quick and then I like to sit down with DH and eat something peacefully (in the week- at weekends we all eat together). I try to get them upstairs at the same time (as younger DD would kick off badly if it was just her) and encourage them to read etc but it's become more of a battle recently (as they simply aren't tired).

Maybe I won't notice it so much when we get back to school and the activities kick in. But I need some advice or to think harder about how to make that hour or so more bearable!

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

So your 9 year old has to go to bed at 7 because the youngest would be upset otherwise? Personally I think 7pm is quite an early bed time, I would try and change that.
When my Dcs were younger after dinner they used to watch TV, play a game, have a bath, read.

[dreamingbohemian]

It does seem quite early, and it's a shame because then they don't see their dad either do they? If he gets home at 7.30.

Perhaps you could do a mix of TV and hanging out with them until 7.30, then when DH gets home he could spend a little time with them and get them into bed while you cook for the two of you. So they go to bed at 8 and then you eat.

If you're not eating with them at 6 you could do lunches and such while they eat.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

My DH is often home late but I cook the one meal and he eats later, saves cooking and washing up twice