After School Chat: Routine That Works
Kids thrive on routine just like adults do. One thing I love about the school year is that our whole family gets into a better routine when the kids are. I am better at getting things done, getting my exercise in, and checking off my to-do list.
My kids are better about getting going in the mornings, eating dinner well, and going to bed quickly. But, I miss my time to talk to them all day! Getting kids to open up about their school day can be tough, but here are a few ways to help them do so.
Eliminate Distractions: If you really want your kids to talk, you are going to need their undivided attention. But, the rules apply to you to. Right after school give your child a chance to connect by keeping the tv off, putting phones way, and just being together. With distractions removed you are both ready to really engage in conversation.
Ask questions: I think all parents start with, “How was your day?” only to be met with cookie cutter answers like, “Fine.” Try being more specific. Try jogging their memory or finding something about their day that really speaks interest. Some ideas might be:
- What did you do first?
- What did you play at recess?
- Who did you sit with at lunch?
- How was math today?
- Did you get to go to the library?
- Who made you laugh today?
Listen for answers: I mean, really LISTEN. Ask more questions. “Oh, you got to go to PE today? I know last week you were really hoping that you guys would play soccer, have you had a chance to yet?” Get them excited about something and run with it.
The more they talk, the easier it will be to move to new subjects or get more details. The most important thing you can do is show them that what they are saying is important to you.
We have all been in the situation where you get stuck in a never ending story of he said, she said, that seems to be pointless. To your child, these are funny or great things that happened to them.
No matter how irrelevant they may seem to you, they can tell when you are listening and they can tell when you are tuning them out. Remember things they have said, follow up on subjects you talked about earlier in the week, they will notice that you are paying attention. They will begin to feel more comfortable opening up.
Talk About Your Day: When you are catching up with a friend, you don’t just talk about one friend or the other. You exchange conversation back and forth. Your kids are people!
Treat these talks like you are sitting down with your best friends over dinner. “That is so funny, I ran to the store today and guess what happened…” You have to model proper conversation with your child, they will take their cues from you.
Make It Routine: Me and my kids sit down for a snack right after we walk in the door from school. We do it every single day. My kids know to head right to the table where we chat and eat together! I look forward to this time. It gives us a time to connect and a time to refuel for the rest of the day.
I like the cheddar cheese on orange crackers because I think it tastes good and my kids love them too.
We love the Whole Grain Peanut Butter! I’ve been incorporating more whole grain into our diet, and this is a tasty way to help achieve that.
I love Lance crackers because they are a great and easy snack for my daughter.
My kids are always talking a mile a minute when they get in the car! I love to hear about their day, thanks for the list of questions to ask. Thank you for linking up your post at the #HomeMattersParty this week.
I love the peanut butter ones.
I love the peanut butter crackers love the taste
Oh I have to say my favorite is the Gluten Free Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers! I love those! So thankful they make gluten free for me! The rest of the family….LOVES the Toasty Peanut Butter Crackers! They taste so good and such a nice snack for afterschool or for their lunches!
I love the cheddar cheese crackers because they are so portable!
I love the cheese and peanut butter ones – they are so tasty that’s why!
Our favorite Lance crackers are the Captains Wafers with Cream Cheese.
Thanks for the tips. My son never gives me details.;( i will try these!
We love the Lance Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwich because our son is gluten intolerant.
thank you
We like the Peanut Butter Crackers! We love the taste and that they are made with real peanut butter!
My favorite is Cream Cheese and Chives because I like how they taste.
I love the Grilled Cheese Captain’s Captains Wagers! Cheesy, buttery goodness!
I’ve been eating Lance crackers since I can remember! I love the peanut butter flavors! I loved when I picked my daughter up from school and started chatting about her day events. It’s OUR time! She is now in her 2nd year of college and we still do it!!
My family likes the toasty peanut butter crackers because the are sweet and salty.
We love Lance Toast Toasty Peanut Butter Crackers, great peanut butter flavor and easy to grab for on-the-go.
We like the Toast Chee crackers because we like the cheese and peanut butter together.
I love the cream cheese and chives because it so much flavor!
Asking specific questions is a great way to break the ice. Once you get them going on actual stories you can really connect.
I like their peanut butter crackers because I love the combo of sweet and salty!
I like the PB and honey. they have a great taste
So fun! Our kiddos love Lance crackers!
We like the Gluten Free Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers by Lance Crackers – we eat gluten free and love Peanut butter 馃檪 #SandWin
My kids and I love the Whole Grain Toasted Cheese crackers because they are delicious!
My favorite are the Toasty Peanut Butter crackers because they have a delicious peanut butter flavor with a hint of saltiness.
I like Lance Snacks whole grain peanut butter crackers because they’re nutritious and filling.
These are fantastic tips! With kids who are barely verbal, it is a challenge, but I need to remember to be more conversational with them. That is a big failing of mine. Thank you for this reminder!
Asking specific questions definitely gives the best answers. They do tend to chat a bit with a great snack too. 馃檪
It’s important to have a routine! It gets harder once kids get older, though….
Conversations with the kids are the most important thing – ever! My girls talk with me about anything. You are so right, you can’t ask cookie cutter questions and whole grain cheddar cheese… yum!
My dad picks up my kids from school, so if I don’t make an effort I hear nothing about their day directly from them. I need to try more of these questions.
Creating a routine makes life so much easier. I still can’t believe the kids are back in school.
It is important to talk with children about how their days are so that the children get into the habit of speaking with their parents about their lives. It is also easier to do when the children have an enjoyable snack.
I like their toasty peanut butter crackers because they are delicious!
The ToastChee with real peanut butter are our faves because it is so delicious and easy to take on the go!
It is definitely important to have a routine. And I definitely need some of those snacks.
My kids certainly have an after school routine. This afternoon my kids never stopped talking about their day!
After school is a great time to spend chatting with your child. Reconnecting each day goes a long way to helping your child through tough challenges
These look like great snacks. I am always looking for gluten free products to try. I love our talks we have after school.
I am so looking forward to having those after school chats with my kids and feel so fortunate that I can have them since I work from home! great post!
And of course having a snack to coax those kids to talk doesn’t hurt!
After school chats are definitely a must. What better way to get them talking besides a tasty snack. We love Lance crackers!
Those are great snacks! I’ve always loved those. I also have to say that asking your kids about their day is always great. I ask my girls each time they get off the bus. They get excited to tell me what they did.
After school chats have always been a huge part of our after school routine. My kids love to share their day, and I want to keep that train rolling for as long as possible!
I love those cheesy peanut butter crackers. In fact when my kids were little I had to HIDE them from them so I could have a treat once in awhile.
YES! If I didn’t ask my kids questions, they would never tell me anything. Haha.
LOVE talking to my little man! I can’t wait each day when he gets home and we can talk! The peanut butter crackers are my favorite!
I like the peanut butter crackers because they are yummy
I like the toasty peanut butter crackers because they are delicious.
my favorite cracker is the gluten free peanut better sandwiches: i eat gluten free and love peanut better, these are yummy 馃檪
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
These are good suggestions because my daughter really will try to keep school conversations brief. Lance made a cheese cracker that included bacon flavor that sounds like it wouldn’t be good but they are addicting!