The Arsenic Hour

HildaCorners

Since I mentioned "The Arsenic Hour" in another thread, I thought I'd give my reference here in Off Topic.

Between the nap and the twilight
When blood sugar is becoming lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupations,
That is known as Arsenic Hour.
—Marguerite Kelly and Elia Parsons, The Mother's Almanac I, 1975

I first heard the term when I was a kid, and when I was the mom of small children, I fully understood the term.

I think there's more to the poem, but I couldn't find it online.

Beatrice

My mom always called it "the bewitching hour".  I always thought it was because she seemed so much like a witch at that time.  Lol.  As a decades-longs children's ministry person, that is why I object to the 5:00 pm church services. But I like going to church at that time, so I flout the rules and do what I want with the kids.  That way we are all as happy as we can be considering our circumstances.

HowlAtTheMoon

I mostly avoid this by skipping afternoon naps and making everyone go to bed at 6:45pm. (Older one just has to be in his room, not necessarily sleeping.)

Winter

HowlAtTheMoon said:

I mostly avoid this by skipping afternoon naps and making everyone go to bed at 6:45pm. (Older one just has to be in his room, not necessarily sleeping.)

That would be awesome!  Most of our kids are not even home at 6:45 most nights lol! 

HildaCorners

My oldest kid was always a night owl and poor sleeper. 6:45 to bed would have been impossible! I remember once when she was nearly 2, nursing her to sleep at midnight, hoping she would fall asleep soon so I could go back to my bed and fall asleep!

I found the Arsenic Hour the worst when my kids were in early elementary school ... especially when they had homework.

Things change ... today I came home from work at 5:30 to find my almost 16 year old taking a nap because he needed one. [He was 2 states away this past weekend at a dance, music and singing all-weekend event.]

Hannelore

I read once about making around 5-6 (so not really sundown in the summer) the end of the day and the beginning of the next. So I put on music, have a drink (alcohol or caffeine, or not) and finish up the day's chores. Day's end

(Helps if all dinner prep is completed.)

So when dad comes home it's the beginning of the next day! Love it. Would be even more perfect if I got everyone to bed at 6:45, like @HowlAtTheMoon

samson

Also known as the Long Dark Tea-time of the Soul 

Husband3point0

In bed at 6:45?  Seriously?

We're going to sit down to eat dinner starting at 7:30 tonight. 

Angeline

Hmmm. So different families have different wake up/bedtimes. Shocking.

How is it working for YOUR family? That's what counts. Too many people burn up their evening time on too many extra-curriculars and TV shows, like its required. Stop thinking of extra curricular as the path to The One True College, and enjoy a single activity each term or school year for itself. Treat TV like dessert, a once in a while event.

That's generally where the crunch in the evening schedule comes from.

r9stone

Angeline said:

Treat TV like dessert, a once in a while event.

That's the kind of excellent wisdom only a blue haired old lady can pass along to us youngsters, thanks @Angeline! 


The age dig is for the disagree you gave me in the sports thread, I owed you one!

ETA: Our 3 dependents (6,5, & 3) are all in bed by 8:00. Our rule is that they can sleep or they can stay up all night, it's their choice but unless they need to use the bathroom they must stay in their room. Some nights are great to sit back and listen to the conversations the three of them have in there over the monitor, makes me want them to be little forever.

Hannelore

I like the siesta traditions, too, in the warmer parts of the world. Afternoon nap, dinner at 8.