20+ Ways To Decompress After School

If you have children at school, you know that the transition after school is the key.

After a full day of paying attention, silence, and around many other people, children want to go home to routine that allows them to decompress!

I asked on Instagram as to what routine after school and there are many good suggestions!

Here are some of my favorite decompression routines suggested by parents and teachers for after school:

Snacks, snacks, snacks

This is 100% answer number one for a good decompression routine. And no matter what other routines are like after school, snacks are always involved. After a day of “active”, a good snack is a way to refuel. Here are some of my favorite suggestions!

Snackable boxes are all ready to go home. “A kind of snack on the table helps them get the nutrients that are needed and grow them to really tell me about their day.”
Snacks in the car on the pickup path! “Usually my children are starving and we have 30 minutes drive so that food helps them relax a little in the car on the way home.” (This PS is my favorite in the Go snack box. And only $ 10)
“To be honest In our house. We also allow our children to watch something on Monday (usually a short performance) and Friday (movies and pizza to help the most difficult days in a week. It seems to help plus they know not asking on other days. “
“I rarely do it but if I am ready to snack To pull them as soon as we walk at the door, I feel everyone is much better. We ask our children to enter and empty/ wash the lunch box, taking important paper from backpacks etc. immediately. “
“Eat snacks while listening to the audio book on his Yoto. “
“You take it in the car, the temperature is completely comfortable and not talking to them. Only smiles and hello. If you have snacks, do cold drinks that are completely
“Always have protein full snacks, yogurt and fruitApples and peanut butter, then let them relax before being asked. Children are asked to do many things at school, they have got some time that does not make sense before homework or assignments. “
“To be honest, we only did a large snack and some time was comfortable on the sofa With blankets (sports for us especially on weekends). Children have “active” all day and this allows them to just relax for a while and give their brains to rest. We do homework right after dinner at the table. “

Calm activity

Children have been surrounded by people throughout the day and a little time and quiet space may only be what they need. A follower said, “Consider what you do as an adult or what you want to do when you come home from work. Rest.” As someone who can be introverted, ask someone to carve at that time for me every day sounds like a dream! This is a suggestion from parents:

“Art – Sketch, coloring, play the dough. Just have to. Also a snack tray with healthy choices. “
“We all take snacks and read independently For 20 minutes when we go home. “
“The oldest is almost 8 years, this last school year really helped him To be able to do calm activities themselves for a while before having their younger siblings begging to play! He likes to build a small lego set, painting sticker books and coloring. Also has a kind of snack that has been prepared to curb feeling thirst. “
“Choose the book itself, give them a snack, and wear classical music. This works well for us before and after school activities begin. The younger one is still what they do. “
“The first 30 minutes at home were placed your backpack and zone (Read, just sit, stretch, occasionally the show) before homework/sports/dinner. This helps them relax and breathe briefly without hope after a day of having to focus. “
“We make a calm time of 20 minutes mandatory. Children walking on the doorRemove the shoes and backpacks then go straight to a quiet time. I did not ask them to do anything before. They can color, read, just sit there, or do anything that does not involve others. That has made the biggest difference. “
“Do something creative (drawing, lego, magfer, puzzles) When listening to a favorite piano/music or audio book. Doing something outside (walking, riding a bicycle, playing with pets.) “
“Bathing Glowstick. My child has eczema and cannot use a bathtub. He likes to turn off the lights and relax. This is a good alternative he uses after a long or difficult day. “
“We play a louder fast card game when eating snacks. Because we did this together, there was no trapped on TV or playing and became very upset when Mother said it’s time for homework, but we are still a little rest after school “
“Mine usually draws or reads solo in their room for a while. (10 years but they have done this since first grade.) “
“Have a soothing music“
“Mine is a snack, a separate sibling for several minutesDoes not require listening skills (no list, no assignment, no homework etc.) for 15-20 minutes “
“Children sit and eat snacks around the kitchen table while I read it out loud. (My Best Reading Tips Here) My Kiddos is older now (elementary and high school) and still likes to do this. Sometimes it only lasts 5 minutes, but functions as our transition between school and home fashion. “

Move

You may have children who need calm time, but some children have so much hidden energy and really want to move !! Sitting silence all day can be difficult and give some time the innate movement is a good rest for their body and brain! This is the way other families apply the right movement after school.

“Make my 6 -year -old son actively active And having a good snack makes the world of differences vs. days we don’t do that. “
“I know for me as a teacher who did training after school Very helpful for me decompression. So imagine many children who have just sat a lot of days will also benefit from moving. “
“I take children to school almost every day, but tell them to walk home has become a great opportunity to decompress. They are much happier when they go home after they walk vs to get a ride home. “
“Change clothes, snacks and go out! Homework can wait. We are homeschool but that’s what we do when my children are at school. “
“We have a snack and then walk together. “
“Play and snack first. Let them come out of all hidden energy, shake their sillies. Change dress. Then you do assignments, homework, dinner, etc. Also do not be filled every night with activities. Children need time to be at home and relax. “

To chat or not chat

I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to have a conversation with your children after you haven’t seen it all day. Every child/family is different and has different needs, but here is how other families deal with chatting after school.

“Let them have time to let them chat with you about their day. And just listen to advice except they ask for it. Being SAHM is easier for me to do that. “
“We let it have a calm time and keep questions for the dining table. “
“Snacks and big movements for at least 15-20 minutes. Also did not ask questions to them. Allows them to lead the conversation. “
“I haven’t done quite a lot, but my children like to have “tea time” In the afternoon, with snacks and telling stories about their day! The older I like playing outside with friends. “
“Don’t bother them and ask millions of questions until they eat snacks And some time to just relax, especially boys. “
“I tried to save easy dinner preparations and did it when they enteredDrop their belongings, and take something to eat and sit in a kitchen bar. Instead of immediately pressing the download, my job made me available but low pressure. Usually they open, share about their days when I cut vegetables or anything. “
“Get ready to let them become. No questions or pressure. Our children prefer activities after school only runs in the bushes and time of the cage. They have to disassemble their lunch and neat goods but then can be free. “
“My number one tip … save the question for later. I know we want to hear about their day, but 90% of their ties are not ready to be beaten with questions. “I’m very happy to see you” walking far. “
“Ask them their three feelings for that day. “
“I did not ask about school until sleep againAfter school they were not in the head room to talk about that day, we did it while curled up on the bed. Also a genius is lazy to talk about establishing a snack board that changes my life. “
“As a teacher, I always encourage the following to parents: Snacks and conversations about their high and low day. Take them outside and move. Then task. Never start with homework, if they have it, because they are in class all day. They need a break. Finally, no matter their age, sit with them and read them. This is a great bond experience for everyone. “