Even though this is technically the shorter part of our day time-wise, it sure can feel like the longest part. And I mostly mean from 5:00-6:00 until Todd gets home, because, of course, the last hour that it's just me and the kids is when the tantrums and meltdowns usually occur the most! Here’s what a typical afternoon & evening looks like for us!
Nap time
Like I said in the last "day in the life" post, this is typically where I would enjoy some “me-time” and today, that is exactly what I did. It was a rough morning full of tantrums, tears, falls and minor injuries. I ended up counting the minutes until nap time. I was physically and mentally drained by 1pm, so I spend the two hours until Xander woke up just watching tv and enjoying my lunch. That was it for today!
3:00 Xander Wakes Up
Typically, Xander wakes up by 3:00 or 3:30, definitely before Leo because he falls asleep right away at 1, while Leo usually goofs around for a good 40 minutes before actually napping. I get Xander up and changed, and then we get a little bit of one-on-one time before big bro wakes up! I try to read some books and just play with him until Leo bellows and we go up to get him up.
Nap time
Like I said in the last "day in the life" post, this is typically where I would enjoy some “me-time” and today, that is exactly what I did. It was a rough morning full of tantrums, tears, falls and minor injuries. I ended up counting the minutes until nap time. I was physically and mentally drained by 1pm, so I spend the two hours until Xander woke up just watching tv and enjoying my lunch. That was it for today!
3:00 Xander Wakes Up
Typically, Xander wakes up by 3:00 or 3:30, definitely before Leo because he falls asleep right away at 1, while Leo usually goofs around for a good 40 minutes before actually napping. I get Xander up and changed, and then we get a little bit of one-on-one time before big bro wakes up! I try to read some books and just play with him until Leo bellows and we go up to get him up.
3:30-4:00ish Leo Wakes Up
Leo is one of those that will either wake up in the best mood ever, or the worst. There is really no in between with him, and no reason for it that I’ve figured out yet. On those days where he is just a mess, I have usually reserved some of his favorite activities to try to distract him from any meltdowns: Legos, Play-Doh, coloring with markers, etc. These usually keep him busy and happy for at least an hour or so, or at least until his bad mood wears off!
5:00 Kids Dinnertime
This part is always an adventure! Like I said, this is usually the time where I am just hoping and praying that Todd walks through the door to save my sanity. Xander is ready to eat at this point, and Leo, well, IF he decides to eat dinner that day, we’re lucky! He eats a huge breakfast and decent lunch, so typically, he opts out of dinner, though we always offer him whatever we are having. Xander on the other hand will eat pretty much anything at anytime, so I usually cater the meal to his interests – some sort of meat and veggie and sometimes a fruit or yogurt.
After Dinner until 7:00
At this point, my wonderful husband is home and has stopped at the grocery store and is thinking about what he and I will be eating. I’m super lucky that he is a great cook and in turn, does the grocery shopping on his way home from work or on the weekends. We just try to spend some quality time as a family in whatever way we can. On bath night, we both give the kids a bath if possible because it can get a little crazy sometimes. We usually put on one of our staple movies (Frozen, Moana, Brave) and it is just sort of on in the background for Leo. Neither him or Xander actually sit through a movie which is totally fine. But since they don’t have much screen time throughout the day, I don’t feel too bad having it on to let them (and ourselves) unwind until bedtime. We brush teeth and then Xander goes to bed first at 7:00, which is a super quick process just like naptime. Leo gets an extra hour with just us downstairs.
Leo is one of those that will either wake up in the best mood ever, or the worst. There is really no in between with him, and no reason for it that I’ve figured out yet. On those days where he is just a mess, I have usually reserved some of his favorite activities to try to distract him from any meltdowns: Legos, Play-Doh, coloring with markers, etc. These usually keep him busy and happy for at least an hour or so, or at least until his bad mood wears off!
5:00 Kids Dinnertime
This part is always an adventure! Like I said, this is usually the time where I am just hoping and praying that Todd walks through the door to save my sanity. Xander is ready to eat at this point, and Leo, well, IF he decides to eat dinner that day, we’re lucky! He eats a huge breakfast and decent lunch, so typically, he opts out of dinner, though we always offer him whatever we are having. Xander on the other hand will eat pretty much anything at anytime, so I usually cater the meal to his interests – some sort of meat and veggie and sometimes a fruit or yogurt.
After Dinner until 7:00
At this point, my wonderful husband is home and has stopped at the grocery store and is thinking about what he and I will be eating. I’m super lucky that he is a great cook and in turn, does the grocery shopping on his way home from work or on the weekends. We just try to spend some quality time as a family in whatever way we can. On bath night, we both give the kids a bath if possible because it can get a little crazy sometimes. We usually put on one of our staple movies (Frozen, Moana, Brave) and it is just sort of on in the background for Leo. Neither him or Xander actually sit through a movie which is totally fine. But since they don’t have much screen time throughout the day, I don’t feel too bad having it on to let them (and ourselves) unwind until bedtime. We brush teeth and then Xander goes to bed first at 7:00, which is a super quick process just like naptime. Leo gets an extra hour with just us downstairs.
8:00 Leo Bedtime
Either one of us or both of us brings Leo up at 8:00 for bedtime. He gets one story before bed, no exceptions. He used to be quite a challenge to get to sleep (mostly my fault for creating bad habits when he was a baby, but hey – it was my first time and I definitely learned my lesson since then!) He usually falls asleep pretty quickly at night and will stay in his bed until waking up for the morning!
Done for the day!
After getting the kids in bed, Todd and I finally get to eat dinner and relax. Sometimes I use this time to catch up on laundry or dishes if I haven’t done them yet that day, pick up all of the toys (I hate waking up to them out everywhere) and then just relax! Obviously there are days where I have plans, or Todd has plans and there are slight variations to our routine, but as with our mornings, the key is consistency to allow the kids to know what to expect!
Do you have any go-to’s for avoiding the meltdown time of the day?? Share the wealth & let me know in the comments!
Either one of us or both of us brings Leo up at 8:00 for bedtime. He gets one story before bed, no exceptions. He used to be quite a challenge to get to sleep (mostly my fault for creating bad habits when he was a baby, but hey – it was my first time and I definitely learned my lesson since then!) He usually falls asleep pretty quickly at night and will stay in his bed until waking up for the morning!
Done for the day!
After getting the kids in bed, Todd and I finally get to eat dinner and relax. Sometimes I use this time to catch up on laundry or dishes if I haven’t done them yet that day, pick up all of the toys (I hate waking up to them out everywhere) and then just relax! Obviously there are days where I have plans, or Todd has plans and there are slight variations to our routine, but as with our mornings, the key is consistency to allow the kids to know what to expect!
Do you have any go-to’s for avoiding the meltdown time of the day?? Share the wealth & let me know in the comments!
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