For me, the hours between 5 p.m. and bedtime are some of the hardest parts of parenting.
The kids are wired and I’m tired. I need to find time to clean, cook and do the whole nighttime routine thing. My husband works evenings, so I’m often solo. And I’m not the best cook.
This summer, the boys and I found a solution: picnic dinners.
We do it about once a week. I’ll pack bento lunch boxes with food I know the kids will eat, fill water bottles and head to a park.
Our favorites are Frederick Douglass, O’Bannon and Broad Ripple.
The rule is eat first, then play. We spend an hour playing and by the time we get home, they’re tired and ready to wind down.
It’s not something I can do every night, and I have no idea what I will do once winter comes around. But for now, picnic dinners are some of my favorite nights.
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Darian Benson is a mom of two toddler boys who have endless energy. You can reach her at darian.benson@mirrorindy.org.
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