After school schedule - too much screens

amother

OP ↓

Today at 7:01 pm

In a perfect world I'd like my kids to watch minimal videos on a regular basis. Unfortunately with a only toddler and baby there's a lot more screen time then I'd like especially compared to other friends who limit to just weekends.
My toddler is not really at an age to play on his own and because I'm working all day until they get home from playgroup I'm burnt out and need a break too. I have little patience for playing with my toddlers toys.

What do you do with your kids all afternoon?

amother

Orange

Today at 7:14 pm

When I had 2 that age we got home at 3. Played outside/went to the park til at least 4. Came home and played inside while I make dinner. Toddlers can definitely play by themselves if you put toys down near you. I also like to play music while I cook. Dinner at 5:30, baths by 6:15, and bedtime routine in bed by 7.
We do our best to limit screens to rare occasions.

amother

Rose

Today at 7:16 pm

I used to set up things, like take duplo and build partially so they continue it, set up all the animals doing something, make a long line of cars, make busy bins etc.. I would prep the night before and pull it out when I needed it. You can also give them an hour bath with lots of toys to kill time. You can sit next to them and just let them play. Sometimes I would go to a small room that was baby proof, take some snacks, drinks, and toys put them on the floor and just chill on the bed or chair.

amother

Powderblue

Today at 7:17 pm

We stopped doing screen time about 6 months ago (kids ages 2 and 3).

It’s hard to entertain them but I try to have some sort of schedule; either a specific set of toys for them or park or visit a friend with kids or play date at my home… or they help me make dinner.

Again, it’s hard. But I try really hard to do whatever I can to avoid feeling the need for the screen to be their babysitter.

amother

Brown

Today at 8:21 pm

Actually my thoughts this afternoon were that I have absolutely no judgement for families who do screen time... it's was just a never ending day. And my kids are in bed for over an hour and still not sleeping

I have 3 kids ages 3 and under B"H. We definitely make use of the park on days that it is nice. (Although it's not a break for me. They need to be watched every second. Still, fresh air is amazing).

I make simple suppers. Today was rice, fishsticks, and broccoli. 15 minutes top preparation time. I try to focus on just sitting with them as they play instead of trying to get housework done (this is a struggle for me. Im always trying to do everything at once). Protecting the baby is priority.

We have a little table where they can do playdoh or coloring or kinetic sand. Do a little bit of that and then building toys on the floor, or playing with dolls/strollers.

Supper at 5:15
Bath at around 6.
Book/ א-ב
In bed by 7.

amother

↑ OP

Today at 10:13 pm

They come home at 3. When it was nice weather we'd sit outside and play. But I don't have a yard and it was too hard for me to watch a toddler at the park with a newborn in stroller (iyh next summer) now it's getting too cold even with coats for outside time.

So we come inside and I try to do snack right away in the kitchen and then have my toddler help me with a house chore, he loves laundry. So we put up or turn over a load. Then we try to play and when the baby naps or around 4pm I've been putting on a video or two before getting ready for dinner, which I keep simple for him. I'd like to minimize the video to maybe just one but he doesn't play by himself enough.
While he eats we call family and I prep adult dinner.

But 5:40 - 6:20 is rough!!! Too early for bath time, but he's not interested in playing so I try to clean up and put on music.

Most afternoons feel like survival! If I had a bad night of sleep or a hard day then forget it, by 3:40 the screen is on until supper time.

I have magnatles and legos, cars, books, I have plenty of things to color. We have playdough but I save that for when the baby is sleeping because he needs me to play with him.

I grew up with TV in the house so watching a few videos after school was a normal thing but in the frum communities most family barely watch even jewish videos except friday or sundays. I don't want my kids to be the ones that watch wayyy more.

For now we "earn" screens by helping with chores like laundry