3 Tips for Creating an After School Routine

Thank-you to Smucker’s Uncrustables for partnering with us for today’s post featuring 3 Tips for Creating an After School Routine.

With children in sports and extra-curricular activities, the afternoon can be just as hectic as the morning. Our weekdays are full with sports practices while are weekends are packed with hockey games. To help cut down on the stress, we follow a routine and I make sure to always have an easy go-to snack on hand for when the kids get hungry after school and need something to hold them over until dinner time.

For the most part we stick to the same routine day after day, while dinner is sometimes before or after sports practice depending on the timing, one thing that doesn’t change is the fact that the kids have to do their homework as soon as they get off the bus. Since we’ve had the same routine since day 1 of school, the kids automatically sit down and do their homework. There’s no fighting and bickering, the faster they get it done, the faster they can play with the neighborhood kids.

Create an After School Routine:

Homework before playtime.

Monday through Thursday my children receive homework. Since day 1 of school it has been a rule in our house to get their homework done as soon as they get off the bus. While it was a fight in the beginning, I stuck to the strict schedule and it now comes natural, I don’t even have to tell them to sit down. Sure there are days where they would rather be outside playing, but last year their homework kept getting pushed back and they would often forget about it and then have to rush to get it done the next morning. By sticking to the strict rule, the house is more peaceful, there’s no bickering about not wanting to do homework after school, and their friends already know homework comes before playtime.

Post a calendar on the fridge.

Go old-school and fill in a calendar, not one on your phone, but one for the entire family to see. If you don’t have a calendar, you can print one. One of the best things I did to help with our routine was to fill out a monthly calendar and hang it for not just the kids to see, but my husband as well. The kids check it every night and know what activities/appointments take place the next day. It also helps to remind them when they have library day so that they can make sure their library book is in the bag.

Easy go-to snacks.

We have a snack cabinet, snack drawer in the fridge and Uncrustables® in the freezer. After school once the homework is complete my children are allowed one snack before sports practice. If they have time they can eat it at home, if not it has to be convenient for on-the-go. There’s no “I’m hungry” or “what can I eat”, they have several options to choose from including the pre-cut veggies and fruit that I prep on Sunday nights along with their lunches.