After school routine

Message edited 12/9/2011 10:31:45 AM.

Re: After school routine

Crashing but.....I watched 2 boys after school for 4 years.
After they got off the bus, they had to change their clothes first. Then they had a snack. Then it was homework time. (At one point they both played an instrument so after homework was practice time.)

When all of that was done = play time. I tried letting them play first and then do homework, but the HW just never seemed to get done.

For snacks, I tried to keep it healthy most days. I'd make a fruit salad or sometimes would make english muffin pizzas.

You are not mean! Using a dictionary is a great skill and I think it's sad that kids don't know how to use them. No soda? Seems fair to me. Maybe u can DVR some shows/ movies ahead of time?

What a great aunt to do this!

Re: After school routine

Your house, your rules. I think it's great that you're teaching her to use the dictionary.

In my house after school snacks are yogurt, fruit, cheese & crackers, muffins, pumpkin bread, grilled cheese.

I don't think anything you're doing it mean btw, it's very nice!

Re: After school routine

My daughter is usually starving when she comes home from school. Who knows how much of her lunch she is really eating while she is at school. But I do have a rule --- she has to have a piece of fruit and a string cheese before she gets anything "sweet" or "junkfood" which is what she always requests.

SO she will have an apple, or a clementine, or some grapes, a twister string cheese, and then sometimes an oreo or two or some Pirates Bootey.

We usually do snack first....homework later. A lot of times homework doesn't happen until after dinner.

As far as google/dictionary, TV shows, soda ... I completely agree. It is your house and you should have your own rules in place. And I think it is important that you stick to your guns on that! Later they'll appreciate you for it!

Message edited 12/7/2011 9:15:32 AM.

Re: After school routine

Message edited 12/9/2011 10:31:54 AM.

Re: After school routine

We do HW right away, unless he has a playdate over. I find if we wait, it's MUCH harder to get him to do it. When he gets home he washes up, sits and has a snack while he does HW then he is free .

Re: After school routine

DS is only in Kindergarten, but he does his home work right when he gets home with a snack usually peanut butter and crackers or something. He loves the show Word Girl on channel 13 so the incentive is to do his homework before that starts. Then he has goldfish while watching the show.....I know this isn't the same situation, but it's all I have to bring to the table

I think its great that you taught her to use a dictionary and make her use it....nothing wrong or mean about that IMO.

As for the soda as long as there is another alternative that they like I wouldn't give in.

Re: After school routine

In my house, homework is done the second they get in.. I'll usually let them have a snack/drink while they are doing it so they get it out of the way.. After that, they can have play time or tv time until dinner.. and I like to cook the kids dinner.. or they will eat leftovers.. My kids dont' drink soda.. I don't even have it in the house unless I'm having a GTG (adults)

Re: After school routine

I let them each have a snack and may e half an hour of down time before homework, but in our house the tvis not on until all homework is done period. I make my 8 year old look up the words in the dictionary too. For her homework I do not "help" her, I expect her to follow the instructions and do the work mostly on her own. My 6 year old does get help with directions, but if she has, for example, to write her spelling words in sentences she has to figure out the sentence herself, and write it down without major help.

I don't let them watch sponge bob or icarly either. IMO, iCarly and Victorious are completely inappropriate for that age group. I put on Shrek, Madagascar, or the Ice Age movies.

Re: After school routine

In my house, its come home, change clothes since he wears a uniform, snack and homework if he hasn't already done it on the bus. Then after homework it is playtime or tv or whatever. Then after dinner/ before bed he sits down to do his 15-20 minutes of reading.


I'm a fan of getting the homework done right away then your night is free.

Re: After school routine

Thank you everyone! I think I am going to wait until Monday and then start the "new rules"

Re: After school routine

My DS will be in Kindergarten next September.

I'm going to probably do what my mom did.

Came in, had a small snack, then homework.
NO TV until homework was completed (as well as chores, like setting the table).

On a side note: I hate Spongebob, LOL, so, hopefully, we can keep that off.

Your house, your rules.

Re: After school routine

DD is in kindergarten. When she gets in, she can have a snack and drink - usually apple slices...a granola bar...cheese and crackers and juice or milk. Then she has to do her homework before she plays. I dont particularly like spongebob or icarly but I admit I do let her watch them. If I had a young one at home though..I wouldnt let her watch it with the younger one around. I agree with everyone else though..your house, your rules.