We are a month and a half into this school thing and afternoons are not working for me. When Natalie gets home from school she has homework – the kind I have to do with her – and it’s time for me to cook dinner.
These first six weeks my philosophy was that Natalie was in school all day so she should play when she gets home, but that leaves her tired when we sit down to do her homework after dinner. And it leaves us a shortened time for our nightly reading of books together, sometimes making it only possible for a quick kid’s book.
So it’s time for a change. Time to try something new. I resolved to use my crockpot again. I used it three times a week when Ryan lived at the hospital so there’s no reason I can’t use it now. It can get a little boring, but I’m going to give it a try. This way, I’m not hurrying to cook dinner right when we walk in the door from school.
And, Natalie has to practice her reading and arithmetic as soon as we get home. No ifs, ands, or buts. Homework first, then playing. It really only takes her 15 minutes anyway.
We tried it last night. I made rice and red beans with smoked sausage in the crockpot and Natalie did her homework after much complaining. Then we played.
The night seemed to flow a lot better even though there was the complaining about the change. I’m hoping as we continue the routine, the girls will gets used to it. With homework and dinner taken care of, we had time to plant some flowers, read together for fun, take some Halloween treats to the neighbors, take baths and get in bed at a decent time.
I feel like I actually spent time with the kids and engaged them. We’re only one night in, but so far I like the new routine.
Comments (9)
We are having the same issues with when to do homework. We’ve tried right after school but we get a fight from our son (and I am still working too–I work at home). So now we are going to try a schedule for homework. Somethings he doesn’t have to do every night, some he does. It’s hard to find balance, that’s for sure. Then you add in any extra activities (he’s in Cub Scouts) and my hubby and I have small group w/ church every other week too and it gets CRAZY! I need to get out my crock pot again…thanks for the idea!!!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/
A great website for crockpot meals. She also has young children and gives a verdict on each recipe she makes.
My girls are in 1st and 2nd and there is homework almost everynight.
We do it pretty much as soon as they walk into the house. it takes about 15-20 mins, then I start dinner. it makes it a little later than normal but thats works best for us also since ther baby sister is napping at this time,so the house is quieter.
I trid many other ways and they dont work out very well.
Does Natalie get home from school really late or do you just eat dinner early? I think doing homework right after school is the best option and having the same routine is key. My older daughter gets home from school at 2:40 and does homework for about 3-4 hours. Yes, that’s right, no typos. Luckily, she has always been good about coming home and after a snack, getting right to it. My younger daughter doesn’t get home until 4:20. She likes her social life (having friends come over) so luckily, her homework doesn’t take much time, about 30 minutes, and then she is happy to have a friend over for an hour while I am cooking dinner. It’s hard to balance everything, but it sounds like you are doing a great job.
I need to check out some good crockpot recipes. I really only make chili in mine.
Yep-we are in the same boat too! We have started the same type of thing–homework first (at least part of it–my oldest is in 4th grade so there is about 1/2 hr to 45 min each night). I need to break out my crockpot for dinner though, that would save a little on the crazies!
i’m right there with you…
let us know if you find some good crock pot recipes!
Same here. If we dont do homework right away then the rest of the night is just awful.
i’m glad you’re finding a routine that works for you 🙂 i have a good recipe for chicken and rice soup that you can make in the crockpot… and it is YUMMY! what about making casseroles, lasagna, or that chicken wreath thing chrissy makes? do you have time to prepare it before hand so you just have to stick it in the oven at dinner time? i’ve done that before to when i have no time at dinner time to make dinner. i love you beeb!
katie
Wendy – Natalie gets home close to 4 pm and I try to have dinner ready by 5 or 5:30. They go to bed by 7:30/8. Makes for a short night.