Tips on Surviving the Witching Hour

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Written by Jenny Ingram Friday, March 13 2009 01:14

You know what the "Witching Hour" is, don't you? It is the time of the late afternoon or early evening where everyone begins to emotionally melt down. The "Witching Hour" usually refers to the melting of the children, but I have come to learn no one is safe, not even mom and dad. Also, it is not limited to just one hour, but typically it is the hours in and around dinner time.

I actually am a very poor "Witching Hour" manager. One evening a few weeks ago, I decided to put a call out for help. I got on Twitter, which I have linked up with my Facebook, and I asked, "Input? Moms, what do you do to make it through the 'witching hour'?" Here's what I got... real ideas from real moms on Twitter and Facebook.

One friend said, "Earplugs, wine, getting the kids involved with the task at hand. "K" now "helps" make dinner instead of melting down in a pool of need. Dinner prep may take longer, the forks and napkins may be on the wrong sides, but no one is frazzled."
Kristin said, "Television, and I don't feel guilty about it!
Michelle offered, "That is movie time for the 3 year old. While I cook, she sits and zones out, cause that is all she is capable of at that point. No TV all day, but we save it for then."
@mamamezlove contributed, "Right now, they are supposedly cleaning the playroom...I am also known to use the TV at this time."
@amberminty piped-in, "I've heard it helps to have an activity planned for the kids, and a snack to avoid low blood sugar."
My friend whose daughter goes to preschool with my daughter said that she pours a glass of wine, lets her girls mess-up the playroom and has a relaxed approach to dinner-prep. She knows it will take time to bring it all together, so she doesn't rush it. And she enjoys that glass of wine!

Meanwhile, my friend Jessica (who I used to babysit!) had many of great suggestions. I am going to give her ideas their own bullet section!

Give them jobs like setting the table, wrapping the silverware all nice in a napkin, washing the vegetables, whatever will keep them occupied.
Blaring music while cooking,
Sometimes I ask the kids to make "place cards."
Put someone in charge of "drink orders" (with a pen and notepad in hand).
Tell them we need to make this a time to get everything ready so we can have a candlelit dinner. That's the best EVER to my daughters. Candles at dinner changes their mood entirely.
Decorate napkins to use the next day while you're cooking -- make them with drops of food coloring. They get SO excited while waiting for them to dry...that will carry into the next night when they get to set the table again!
If an older child has reading to do, though it's a little hard to concentrate, he/she can always sit and read to you (or to the younger children) IN the kitchen while you are getting things prepared.

What do I do? I have utilized many of the suggestions. I have definitely found it is always better when I am intentional with my kids. It is the times I am "too busy" and brush them off as I scurry to help with homework, blog (yes, I get distracted too), chop veggies, fold laundry, or trip on the stool my youngest brought out to the middle of the kitchen. I have learned it is well-worth a little extra effort (like hunting for place card supplies).

Evening hours can be a tough time. We all can use a few tools to fall back on. Is there anything YOU have found to be especially helpful in surviving the "Witching Hour"?

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