by Elizabeth Fetkenhour

Created on: April 30, 2008

I have three children and they range in age from 13 (the glorious sarcasm and eye rolling years) to age four. My husband is not here very often in the evening because he works as a police officer and a paramedic therefore the night time hours are filled by my ambitions and woes with the children.

Here are some basic ideas to keep the kids occupied at night and also keep your sanity. Spending all your time with kids can be exhausting so make certain that the pm activities that you choose to engage in with your children are activities that you will truly enjoy rather then suffer through on their behalf. I love to be outdoors and walking and running with my dogs is something that I like to do. It keeps your mind keen and your butt lean! (HA .. I couldn't resist that cheesy rhyme). In the night when it is just me and the three kids and the two dogs I get everyone outside in the fresh air. The younger girls ride on their little bikes and the big people (my son and I) walk/run along with the dogs. This is three birds with one stone; I get fresh air and exercise,the dogs are happier and less hyper, and we all get a better nights rest after our exercise.

Reading with the kids at night is a wonderful alternative to watching a movie and my 13 year old still enjoys being read to. A chapter book and a big quilt will make everyone content on a cold winter night. Everyone in our family enjoys Harry Potter and I can paraphrase when needed, because I read it out loud and the kids just listen. This is a calm and cozy way to occupy your children at night.

My favorite outing with the kids in the evening is a cheap dinner at McDonald's, and then the library. The entire cost is around $15 and I actually have a great cup of coffee and a salad and I can watch CNBC on a flat screen while they play in the kids area. My son sits with me and has a caramel cappuccino. The girls get a new toy and play world, which at their age tops the charts for fantastic events of the week. I reconnect with my older son and enjoy watching and sipping my coffee. McDonald's may not be a single parents dream Friday night, but there are advantages to putting your feet up and watching your kids run around and laugh. By the time we leave and then stop by the library my kids are pleased with their new toys and new books and teeth brushing and deep sleep soon follow.

As a single parent we have to have simple dinner fare and simple plans and this will pull you together with your kids. One of the best ways to occupy your kids at night is a simple walk to the park,or a bike ride to the library, or even a picnic in the backyard on a big bed sheet. The best part of warmer weather is being outside and just playing with the little ones. They do not need to be entertained they just need your time and some fun ideas.

If you are more adventurous and wish to spend less then $4 - you can bake a giant batch of oatmeal pistachio cookies .. My kids shelled and ground up the pistachios and while working together we made a huge mess and licked the bowl and beaters. It took around two hours from start to finish, but the result was three dozen cookies that we enjoyed. The cookies were packed in lunches and given out to friends even eaten as a breakfast. They were delicious and healthy and we had a great time making the oatio cookies as Gracie dubbed them.

The nights alone do not have to be miserable. Our kids are a gift to us and we should enjoy them while we are still the center of their world, because certainly we will be replaced.

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