Evenings in our house have always been reasonably chaotic during the summer months. Unfortunately, now that the winter is here and the darker evenings are creeping in, it is all too easy to mothball the outdoor activities and instead resort to a few hours of TV before bed.
But just because it is dark outside, doesn't mean you have to forego all those fun family activities. We've put together some lovely ideas for evening time with the family that won't involve listening to Dora and Boots over and over every night.
1. Get out and about.
Those brave enough can still wrap up and take a nice walk with the children. My pair have torches that they got for Christmas last year, and as long as you are beside them keeping them safe, why not get out for a bit of fresh air in the dark. What an adventure for them! You also get in some good exercise. Win-win.
2. Go swimming.
There is something super cosy about looking up through the pool roof to see the dark night while you are happily splashing away with the kids. The children will be delighted with themselves that they are out when it's 'night-time' and you are all getting some activities in during the week. It also means that they are exhausted and will practically be begging to go to bed early.
3. Linger over a meal.
We always think it is nice to make meal-time real family affair in the evenings. My children love when they get to help prepare and set the table, it gives them a great sense of belonging. It is a good idea to choose an easy and delicious meal to make so that everyone is on board with the plan. We love making these delicious wholegrain chicken nugget nachos that are guaranteed to leave empty plates all around. Nothing shouts a cosy evening in like that smell of chicken cooking in the oven. We love to linger over the dinner table, chatting about this and that and catching up with each other. Even the baby likes to throw in his two cents in the form of babbling.
4. Go Hygge.
The cosy art of Hygge may be very 2016, but I'll admit that I still like cultivating a cosy atmosphere in our home in the winter. A real treat in our house for the children is snuggling into Mummy and Daddy's bed with some of their favourite books or I tell them stories about when they were little. These are the memories I'd like them to have about their childhood and I'm sure I will cling to these moments when they are bigger.
5. Have people over.
Whether it is a play date or some of your friends calling in for a coffee in the evenings, make it an event for everyone in the family. Serve hot-chocolates or those keep-coming-back-for-more Chicken Nachos, set up crafts at the kitchen table and make it a really special evening. Encourage the children to 'put on a show' for you and your gal pal. This will keep them busy for a bit, dressing up and planning out 'acts' while you catch up. It also cultivates their imagination and helps build up those bank of memories we are all trying so hard to create. Including them in social events as a family is important for their manners, their sociability and shows they are an important part of the household.
The winter, for me, represents family time even more so than the summer when everyone is busy with their own separate activities. There is something so comforting about having the lights on, the chicken cooking in the oven and your family around you. Just don't let Dora the Explorer in to annoy you!
