Tell me what you do after bedtime

[charlotte]

I want to hear your routine!

Currently, I most often fall into relaxation mode as soon as the kids get into bed around 7. This usually looks like trash tv, podcasts, doom scrolling, etc.

Lately I’ve been feeling overwhelmed with everything I want/need to do in a day. I’m thinking of trying to change up my schedule to be more productive in the evening. Things like working out, dog walking, cleaning, laundry could all be added to my night time routine I guess. But sometimes I just want to zone out and then go to bed.

LMK what you do and how it’s working for ya!

[mapleme]

It's not helpful, because I don't recommend it for anyone, but I work 3-5 hours every weeknight after the kids go to bed. It's often the only time I get to actually focus on work rather than being pulled in every direction by kids, husband and employees. Every once in a while I don't have work that has to be done before the next day and I watch shows because sometimes I just need to zone out.

That said, I workout in the morning and always watch a show during my workout. Exercising plus a show could be a great way to escape in a productive manner.

[snowmoon]

7! I’m so envious! The most I can ever manage once the kids are in bed is to take the dog for a walk and tidy up the kitchen. Sometimes that includes mopping, but only if absolutely necessary.

Every once in a while I feel the way you do and I’ll spend a few evenings in a row prepping activities and food and stuff for the next day. I never stick to it.

ETA: I work 12 hour night shifts so I usually just want to melt into the couch when I’m home in the evening.

[stringy]

I usually fall asleep before my children.

ETA: one of them. Never sleeps.

[mintyblueair]

L goes to bed at 815 (both girls go earlier). I usually shower and do a short ab workout while MH reads to L. And typically I manage to clean the kitchen up right after dinner, but if it's not all done I finish cleaning and/or unload the dishwasher after all the kids are in bed

Then we sit down and watch one episode of whatever show we're currently watching. Then I brush my teeth, wash my face, and get into bed to read. MH gets into bed at the same time. We're usually in bed between 945-10pm, and we turn out the light at 1030pm.

I look forward to our evenings all day because I find having that down time and routine really recharges me for the next day. If I need to fold laundry I do that while we watch TV, but I don't otherwise try to be productive in the evenings. I stay on top of chores during the day because I'm home with the kids, and school doesn't start too early so there's always plenty of time to get their stuff ready in the morning.

[nikkipal]

Add me to the jealous of 7pm bedtime club. My kid is brushing her teeth right now (though it’s a little late, usually 9). I pretty much watch tv with J and zone out on my phone until I fall asleep. Definitely not recommended.

[Speedy]

Our schedule right now is trash, but for a while we had a great schedule. F goes to bed earlier than W who still naps, so I'd put him down and then chuck her on my back and turn on a 30 minute playlist. Whatever I got done in that 30 minutes is what I got done, and anything else had to wait until the next evening. After that I'd usually take the dog out and then chill, watch a show or movie, maybe work on a project, then go to bed with W (I generally need a lot of sleep).
I miss doing this, and should probably try to get back to it. I felt much better about things when I did it.

[rugger]

Our girls also are in bed by 7, but are allowed to read until 7:30. So S and I usually just hang out upstairs until lights out time.

Then, we usually just tidy up downstairs and get sucked into our phones. The girls take what feels like forever to fall asleep and then we're tired and end up going to bed by 9-9:30. If the kids are asleep before 8:30, then we have enough energy for "us time".

[sarenu]

7:30 F goes to bed. This usually involves us making sure all tasks are complete.


I try to get a work out in and showered at some point in the evening.

8pm C and E go to bed. This usually involves me making sure they brush their teeth and stay quiet.

Then I usually shower, workout, start laundry, clean dishes, and pick up around the house.

[sarenu]

I’m trying to get away from watching tv at night. It’s too easy to watch one more show.

I’ve been reading the last two nights.

[stringy]

I cannot fathom a life where my school aged kids are in their beds at 7 pm. Or 730. I try to get P in before 8 but even that is a stretch.

What would I even do in that life!?

[pbandj714]

H goes to bed at 7 so I get him down and then pump (cannot wait to eliminate this session) while J plays with the big kids. They start to get ready for bed at 7:30 and are in bed by 8. Then I am usually sucked into some TV or my phone while I do some laundry. Sometimes I tidy up, sometimes I don't care. I pump again at 10:30 right before bed. So mostly vegging and pumping. It's super not glamorous.