[AllisonR]

We have a normal day (local playground, see friends...) and the kids are happy. But if we have a great day, all h*ll breaks loose. Examples: last week we went to the ocean, and we went with friends to a kids play land with cool stuff like trampolines, hopping balls, swimming pools.... While there the kids have a blast. But a few hours later or we are on our way home... and the nastiness starts.

Anyone else have kids that feel a huge letdown after a great day or activity? How to help them through it? And how do I not feel annoyed about it? I mean after we have done something great, I think the kids ought to be grateful. If that is too much to ask, then at least neutral. But it is usually the opposite, whiney, argumentative, fighting, nasty words....

 

[~*max*~]

I would try a pre-emptive strike. On the way home pack a healthy, high protein snack for each of them. Then make sure they each have something they can do quietly by themselves for a bit while they wind down - a book, CD player w/music or a book on tape, favorite toy or stuffed animal to hold. Hopefully this will help ease the transition between super exciting day and back to home. HTH.

 

[eepster]

Don'tcha know "no good deed (or day) goes unpunished."

Yesterday DS cried the entire way home from the zoo, b/c I wouldn't let him pick out his own leaf in the parkinglot. (I was worried he'd get hit by a car, and I picked out a nice one for him.)

After a long day of excitement, the kids are tired. They probably didn't eat as well as usual. Never mind a bit over stimulated. So the transition from

: back to normal life is just more than they can handle.

I usually aim to leave anything fum we are doing, right around when DS is ready to fall asleep standing up. That way he usually sleeps in the car and I can just lay him on the couch when we get home. When he wakes up comfortable at home, all is well. Unfortunately yesterday DS slept late, and the local zoo closes pretty early, so no luck, but normally it works.

 

[lisalulu]

My kids are like that-especially DS1 who has been that way since an infant. Now that he's older, I find it so much harder to remember how easily overstimulated he gets when his behavior is so poor. I agree w/ the pp about the high protein snack-ds also has a really hard time eating on the extra special outings. And the quiet activity and time to let loose/wind down at home particularly if its after dinner time.

 

[octobermom]

If we go on a biggie outting I plan dinner (lunch ect) for the car ride home I pack a "bagged lunch" type meal or work it so we can pick up someplace with in seconds of leaving let her eat in the car bring along a blanket and a favorite quiet CD (if traveling long enough a video) and say night night riding home...

Deanna

 

[vegemamato]

my girls are all like that.. I have a feeling that it has more to do with being overwhelmed then ungrateful though

I try to carry snacks, paper/pencils, stickers, books and random little toys (my pockets are always stuffed with rubber lizards, shiny rocks and the occasional lego) whenever we leave..

I also tend to loose [*some of*] my cool at the end of a fun-filled day, so I understand where they're coming from..

it is hard to be patient when you have kids who appear to be angry with you because you showed them a great time though..

my kids think it's hilarious when I start chanting:

"serenity now.serenity now..SERENITY NOW!" always lightens the mood

 

[mommy68]

Sounds normal to me. They are likely just overtired. My children used to get this way when they were in school outside the home. They would come home stressed and ill at the end of the day. They still do it now on the days where they do too much during the day.

 

[TEAK's Mom]

Yup, it sounds perfectly normal to me, too. I have two tricks that work almost every time. First, I always have a high protein snack for the ride home, sometimes with a little treat to go with it. One of my dds is very sensitive to drops in blood sugar, so keeping her not hungry is important. It also helps get us past the transition to the car.

My other trick was provided by a generous grandmother. Both of my girls have ipod shuffles and I LOVE them. It really cuts down on fighting in the car when they can settle in and listen to the music or books of their choice after a long day. It may be the illusion on space, but it sure helps. By the time we get where we are going, they tend to be more relaxed and ready to move on.

 

[sunflower.mama]

What a great post w/great ideas. I have been in that boat too, and had the same thought - this is my thanks for showing you a good time????