I wasn’t aware of this phrase, until it was a topic being discussed on a daytime television programme that I was watching recently:
A parent’s witching hour is that dreaded time towards the end of the day, when everyone is tired, including parents.
I can remember my own children moaning and whining while I was trying to prepare our evening meal.
I used to try to prevent them from falling asleep on the sofa while watching television, when they were very young as this would mean that nobody would get much sleep that night. I would sometimes sing to them from the kitchen encouraging them to join in as a way of ‘jollying’ them along,
On one occasion my middle son actually fell asleep while eating his tea; he slid off his chair onto the floor and still had his fork in his hand!.
I figured that if he was that tired I should let him sleep. so I carried him upstairs and put him to bed fully clothed, Remarkably he slept all night until about 7 the next morning.
My tips for surviving the witching hour are to:-
Give your children your undivided attention for 10-15 minutes when you get home so that they can connect with you and tell you about their day,
Set up some arts and crafts to keep them occupied while you get on with things,
Arts and crafts ideas here
Pre plan dinner,
Get your partner to spend time amusing the children while you cook or visa versa.
Please share any tips that you have for getting through a parent’s witching hour.
As always questions and comments are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
x
Linked with
We used to call it the Arsenic Hour!
Ha!, thanks for your comments, Michele
Yep it is always around tea time in our house (hangry tired kids). Annoyingly my husband always seems to walk in 5 minutes after everyone has calmed down and then doesn’t see why I am so frazzled! I have to admit the TV is often on at this time of day now in our house to make things easier. #KCACOLS
How do men seem to have easier lives! Jade
Haha yep it happens, I found it better when they are older especially at school they get more tired so less energy x #kcacols
To true, thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences, Sam
I haven’t heard this phrase but it does apply thinking back to a few years ago! Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories
I hadn’t heard of it either, Laura, until I saw the mentioned television programme
Interesting poin on the 10 mins to connect. Often they’re just really after some attention. #KCACOLS
Totally agree, Lydia
I remember this time when we had four under four. It was a painful time everyday. Now those four under four are four under 10 it isn’t so stressful, but it is still very loud! #MischiefandMemories
That sounds stressful, thanks for sharing
Reading this having just chucked a load of meat and vegetables in the slow cooker to avoid having to do it at witching hour! With four kids I find the slow cooker a life saver in our house – thanks so much for linking up with #KCACOLS!
Slow cookers are great! Thanks stopping by
Not something I’ve experienced, but definitely sounds like something that needs a coping strategy. Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
Absolutly. Stephanie, thanks for your comment