3pm Chaos

I know there are others out there that feel like I do. The chaos that is 3pm. The time school gets out. Monday through Thursday it is pretty much the same. By 3:10 RaeAnne and Joel are home. Usually Andrew is already up from his nap, and the baby times it just right to get up when the kids get home. Snack time and homework take place. Dinner has to be made. Three things...snack, homework and dinner...why is it so chaotic? Does anyone else deal with this? Some days are laid back, some days are crazy.

I think that part of the chaos is inside of me. I put it on my kids. I am anxious to get everything done before Bryce gets home. I love him. I want him to be able to come home and relax. When the house is a mess, and dinner isn't done he feels like he needs to help. It's that fix-it man thing. He has worked all day. Had others demanding his time, words, energy, and mind. Home needs to be a safe place where at the end of the day he exhales as he walks through the door. That's what I want.

In trying to achieve this clean house, clean kids, dinner waiting, homework done, put together wife I end up making my house the house of chaos. That's not what I want. So, how do you do it? I seriously want to know. How do you deal with the whirlwind from when your kids get home from school till the time your hubbs gets home from work? I am admitting that I am not a domestic goddess. I welcome your suggestions.