Help with "Witching Hour"

My children have the same witching hour. I found that it helps to have distraction. I have special evening toys that only come out during this time and I give them a small snack (grapes or peice of cheese or something like that). Seems to have worked for me. I think they were hungry and not wanting to wait for dinner and upset they did not have my attention anymore. They like the toys that are pulled out during this time, they are put away until this time so they want to play with them before they are put away. I also try and get them involved with making dinner - setting the table, mixing stuff, getting stuff from the fridge and that kind of thing. Good luck!

Hi J.,

Try giving them a snack...peanut butter on crackers, peanut butter on celery, or put in a DVD for them to watch...Or you can ask McKenna that you will give her an allowaance if she can colr or play a game with her brother and sister so that you can fix dinner for daddy. Hope this helps...

Blessings!
C. (mom of grandkids 15 months and 3 year old.)

My daughter is the same way and my mother told us that we were the same way. My mom thought maybe she was just hungry earlier than dinner time. So at 5 when I start cooking I sit her down with a snack. It has worked wonders and now she gets through that time much better. We just moved and she isn't adjusted yet and thats another story. Right now she is super clingy and having tantrum and asking if we can go home. It is hard but I know she will get used to it!

I went to a MOPS meeting and there was a mom who wrote a book called, Boredom Busters, and it is one of the best books that gives great ideas! Just a couple are to, at 4:00 have the kids take a bath. Turn all the lights off in the bathroom light some candles and read them a book. This will also help calm them down afterward. Obviously you can't do that everyday, but you can take them outside to blow bubbles. You can find huge bubble wands at the $1 store. Have them color, paint or do a maze at the kitchen table while cooking. Painting can be messy but it will get them out of your hair. If it's raining, have them sit in front of the window and watch the rain and lightning. Call it the movie of the evening. These are just some of the things I do and seem to help. They don't always work, but it sure helps when they do. And like I said, Boredom Busters is excellent!

Ahhh....witching hour never really goes away, does it!? And even if you work from home it is the same. Dinner is always the tricky part--if you didn't have that, it really wouldn't be so bad. I would try to prep dinner in the morning or during naps, so all you have to do is throw it in the oven at 5:00. Or use a crock pot--it's not just for work-outside-the-home moms! Think of yourself as a working mom who would have to walk in the door at 5:00 and put something together, and not as a mom who has all afternoon to do it, and you will start to see dinner differently. Once you have dinner in the oven, or before you start it, take a walk or play outside. That will get rid of their wiggles before Dad gets home. Then, of course, make sure he takes time with them while you get a much needed break! Good luck--a little planning can go a long way!

The 1yr old should still be put down for naps on a daily basis. He he climbing out of his crib? Are they all sharing a room? Try after lunch (1:00-2:00)into the routine of napping again. Also trying taking for a walk or to the park in the morning to where them a some. The 3yr old I know is harder, but what I have done with all my kid at this age (and still do with my 4yr old) is just have "quiet time". If she has her own room (don't put her with the baby) tell her she can read or play quietly in her room. If she doesn't have her own room, let her watch tv, Disney channel, or favorite vidio or movie. She may or may not nap (maybe just zone out for awhile), but it should help later. As far as the oldest, she should be in school, right? If she is home schooled, at least put her somewhere to do school work and tell her she needs to stay quiet because its now quiet time. If tell her she can have some time you when the others are napping.

My 4yr old has goes to preschool in the morning then has "quiet time" when he gets home. Half the time he still sleep for awhile. Hope this helps.

J.,
We have this happen at our house, too. I have two suggestions: one for good-weather days, and one for bad-weather/winter days. During the spring and summer, my 8-yr-old usually plays sports like soccer and baseball. My 3-yr-old gets to bring toys and play. However, for most of the year, the "witching hour" results in quiet time in each of their rooms. The oldest has a swinging gate that he can open, but little sis can't. He usually does his homework and then plays for a while. I also have a baby gate that I put up across her room to keep the dogs out while she's playing. I help her get out her Little People Barn, Dollhouse, or castle, and she learns to play and imagine by herself. This really seems to benefit both, and they're always in a good mood by dinner. Hope this helps!
E. G