With each new season, time change, or new baby our Evening Routine usually gets made over whether I want it to or not. As we are weeks away from welcoming Baby #7, I wanted to share what My Current Evening Routine is like. How do I finish out the day with my six Kids, Husband, and find time for myself before I collapse into bed at night?
Eat Dinner as a Family
This happens during the 5 o’clock hour once Sam gets home. By this point Olivia and the Boys have finished their schoolwork, and I usually have completed all the household work I needed to get done for the day. Dinner is typically loud at our house as all the Kids are wanting to tell Sam about their day. Or tattle on another sibling that did them wrong. Of course, dinner would not be complete without Kids asking how many more bites they have to take before they can have dessert? What is for dessert? Maybe even haggling hoping Sam or I will cave on the whole clear your plate to get dessert rule.
Clean Up + Head Upstairs
Once Dinner is over, we relax in the Living Room so Sam and I can chat for a few minutes while the Kids play. From there we all work together to clean up the Downstairs. The four older Kids have chores that they complete after meals. That may be wipe down the table. Sweep the Kitchen and Dining Room. Unload the dishwasher. Sam or I will then load the dishwasher when they are finished. Someone may be asked to play with Micah our one-year-old who tries to “help” with unloading the dishwasher. 🙂 Put items in the Recycle Bin if need be. Pick up the toys in the Livingroom. Fix the pillows and blankets on the couch. Lastly, feed the cat… this is Olivia’s job since CupCake is her cat. Then we all head Upstairs.
While the Boys play with Legos OR Magnet Blocks in their room, Olivia and I will do any reading assignments she has for school. This is much easier to do once Dad is home and can occupy the Boys. It also gives Olivia and I some girl time together after being outnumbered by the Boys all day long. Once we are finished with her reading then she heads off to do her own thing in her room or goes to play with the Boys. I take this time to put things away from the basket we keep at the bottom of the stairs. Fold laundry that is clean. Or any other chores that maybe I didn’t finish during the day.
Get Boys Ready + In Bed
Around 7p either Sam or I will get the Boys ready for bed. They clean up the toys they were playing with. Change into PJs and we help them brush their teeth. Once everyone is ready, we will read them a Bedtime Story. Currently we are reading through Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey by Tyler Van Halteren as this is one of their favorites. On the nights Sam closes, or I am too pooped to read then they listen to Adventures in Odyssey. Olivia participates in this time as well as she likes to hear the stories.
After stories, the Boys are hugged, kissed and tucked into bed. Of course that does not mean they stay in bed. Usually someone forgot to use the Bathroom. Needs to ask a question, etc. So those interruptions are dealt with accordingly. Olivia is allowed to stay up and read, play, or do artsy stuff in her room until her bedtime at 830p when Sam puts her in bed.
Do My Own Thing
Around 8p if not before once the Boys are in bed for the night, I get to do my own thing… woohoo! This may look like reading a book. Writing out my plan of action for the next day. Watch a TV show with Sam. Currently we are watching The Waltons on Amazon Prime as neither of us have ever seen it before. If it is a Date Night, then we may do whatever activity we have picked out. For some Date Night ideas check out my post on Creative and Fun Seasonal Date Ideas. On the evenings that Sam has a closing shift, which is usually once a week, I may work on the Blog. Watch YouTube Videos. Or my plans may be tossed out the window if a child is needy or fussy and wants some extra cuddles. Not that I mind the extra cuddles. 🙂
I wish I could tell you a certain time I go to bed but that looks different day to day. Sometimes it may be 9p or sooner if I am worn out from the day. Other nights it looks like 11p or later if insomnia hits or I am absorbed in what I am watching. Oh well, maybe one day I will have a consistent bedtime.
What does Your Evening Routine Look Like?
Please share with us in the comments. Or take A Look into My Family’s Evening Routine from over a year ago when we were living in an Apartment to see how things have changed.
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