This is mostly a note to myself – that’s why the authoritative tone. I have trouble remembering from one season to the next what worked – I want to be up to date next year!
When the VBS was at a neighborhood church, DH and I dropped the boys off, put K down to nap, and had 5 date nights in a row. Then we picked up the boys refreshed, ready to hear Bible verses, and listen to them sing their songs with motions.
But this week was VBS at our church, a 20 min drive away, so one or both of us needed to go with the boys, and stay until it was over, either that or drive for an hour and 20 min…
In addition, this week DH needed to catch up on some report writing at work. So, on Monday he came home early to help me load the van and find shoes, but wound up taking the laptop to write at church. Tuesday and Wednesday he came home for supper, then went back to work after helping me find shoes and load the van. Last night K was SO tired from late nights that DH took the boys and I stayed home with K and got her to sleep on time. (I think she is having her 6 month growth spurt early, she was born post term). So, in summary, flexibility with parental jobs is the first strategy.
Junk Food and or Faster Home Food. My kids eat slowly, and to hit the road by 6PM, they need to start at 5:30. We’ve eaten fish sticks, hot dogs, pasta, and hogie sandwiches (AKA subs, torpedoes, deli sandwiches…) tonight we are having refried beans and soft tacoes. At lunch I’ve given them veggies and fruit to compensate. They get plenty of desert at VBS.
Nap time. Even for B. He’s tired being out until 9PM all week too, just like K and M. (And Mom and Dad). Let everyone sleep in if they can too.
Bath time at weird times. A bath tub full of toys is sort of like wading pool, right? A bath in the middle of a hot, muggy day might feel better than one at bedtime anyway.
Low Expectations for the rest of the week. We did go to the eye doctors and play ground up the road from the eye doctors, and B did have flute lessons and band practice, but other than that, no big projects, library trips, hiking or day trips. I haven’t particularly rationed library DVD watching or mandated outside play time either (it’s also been thunder-storming like mad, and this is New England, not the Midwest!) Speaking of the library, I’ve got some books come in on reserve to pick up today – but we’ll keep it low key!