How To Do "Snack & Chat"- A Simple After-School Tradition

Here's an easy family tradition idea that will help you connect more to your kids after they are home from school.

this awesome idea!

When my oldest child started school, I wanted to be fully present when he got home from school each day.

There is never a shortage of tasks to do as a mom, but I made it a goal to give 5-10 minutes of undivided attention to him. Besides, I was eager to hear about his day and felt like if we designated this time, it could become something special.

We named this family time "Snack and Chat" because it felt more special to have a name for it and well, we snack and chat.

Now my oldest is in 6th grade and our daily "Snack and Chats" have become a favorite family tradition for not just him, but for me and my other children who are in school, too.

Are there days it's 2 minutes long? Yes!

Are there days our chat is 20 minutes long? Yes!

I have realized that some days my children are super eager to talk to me for a while and there are some days they want to grab their snack and get playing right away. I'm okay with either.

I don't force our snack and chats to be a certain amount of time, but I do try to stay present just in case one child wants to talk longer.

How To Do Snack & Chat

1. 5 minutes before your kids get home from school, put your phone away. Promise yourself that you will stay focused on them!
2. Prepare a quick snack.
3. Greet your kids with a hug and hello and chat about their day while eating a snack.
4. I find that having a certain open-ended question to ask them helps them open up more than just, "how was your day?" An example would be, "tell me what you did a recess today..."

Snack and chats don't need to be formal. You will find what works for you and your children!

After School Snack Ideas

You can have any type of after school snack ready for your "Snack & Chat".

I usually make cookies or something extra special for the first day of school snack and chat, but on other days, I pull out whatever we have on hand.

Here's some ideas:

• Quick Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Quick After School Snack
• Popcorn
• Crackers and peanut butter
• Fruit and veggies
• Rice Krispy treats
• Rolo Cookies
• Favorite Chip Dip
• Chips & Salsa

Snack & Chat For Working Moms

I understand that not all moms are home when their kids get home from school. You could still do a snack and chat, but just alter the time you do it.

Maybe you have a designated time just before dinner or your special time is when you are tucking your kids in bed.

I think the goal is to carve out a few minutes of time when your kids can count on you being completely focused on them. And that can be at anytime during the day.

What do you think? Is "Snack & Chat" something you'll do in your family?