Fitting in one to one time with DD and what to do after school?

[oneplusone]

Hi, just wondering how you manage to fit in one to one time with older children to do reading/homework etc? Just to give some background, my DD is 4 and started reception in September. She goes mornings only til January. I also have DS who is 1.5 and has an afternoon nap roughly from 1 til 3.

Ideally I could/should spend one to one time with DD during DS's nap so we can read (she's only learning but I'm keen to help her to read as I was a bookworm as a child) but DD doesn't seem keen at this time. I think she just wants to chill out after a busy morning at school which is fair enough. Trouble is once DS is up it's very difficult to do anything like reading with DD as DS comes along and tries to pull book away etc and generally wants to join in everything which is also fair enough I suppose.

So how do I fit in time with DD and this problem I can see will get worse once she goes full time from Jsnuary as she'll be home at 3.15 by which time DS will have had his nap and there'll be little opportunity to spend one to one time with DD.

Also, once DS is up I find the time between 3 and 5pm really drags unless we get out of the house and go to park etc. What do you do with young DC's after school?

Sorry a bit long and rambling but am wondering how others manage!

TIA!

[oneplusone]

Bump!

[MorocconOil]

I don't really manage with mine 8,6 and 2. I tend to leave homework and reading to the week-end when DH is around. I know it is far from ideal, but dd (2) sabotages any reading and both DSs are keen for any excuse not to do it. I do have moments that are quiet when I'll get them to do 5 minutes or so.

It is very difficult though and I would value advice from others who have strategies for juggling children and homework.

[MorocconOil]

We go to the park, have friends round, they play out and they watch CBeebies or CBBC after school. I used to try and limit TV but just let them watch it now if they want. They are usually exhausted after school and if watching TV helps them to unwind then I think it's fine.

[geogteach]

We do reading at bedtime. DS1 started staying up an extra 10 minutes to do it at that age and it has stuck, DD is the same as your DD at the moment and again does her reading at the same time as her bedtime story. When you get written homework it is more difficult, at the moment DS does his straght after school while DD entertains DS2, won't work when she gets written work though!

[oneplusone]

Hi, thanks for your replies. It seems like an impossible task! I too manage to do a bit of reading at bedtime with DD but it doesn't seem like enough, literally 5 minutes!

My 2 also watch cbeebies in the afternoons, although we go out as well. No harm in a bit of tv.

Have no idea how I'll manage from January, any other tips would be great!

[HonoriaGlossop]

We do homework in the morning before school as I find that ds wants to zone out and relax after school. I expect you'll find that even more with your dd when she goes to full days.

Obviously that may be hard for you to do with a baby around as well, but I find mornings are when ds is fresher and more ready to do anything related to school.

I wouldn't worry if you don't do any reading other than at bedtime for now; they do get so tired in reception. It's not worth pushing. just let her have her freedom when she gets home.

[oneplusone]

Hi HG, thanks for that, I'll try not to worry if I don't manage to do much with her. Will try mornings, although they are a bit fraught, trying to get everyone dressed and out the house on time is just about all I can manage!