Dear Debbie,

It’s 5pm and my three kids are driving me insane. How can I save my sanity during the “witching hours?”

The Wicked Witch of Missouri

Dear Wicked Witch,

Here are a few magical ideas to make the witching hours--the ones between 4 and 7 pm when they need you and you need a spa--more angelic:

•Indulge yourself. No one’s happy if momma ain’t happy. Late afternoon is the perfect time to savor that fully-leaded coffee, piece of chocolate or other sin of choice.

•Make use of the bathtub. It’s not just for washing anymore. Bubbles, shaving cream, plastic cups, sponges, or water paints buy lots of whine-free time.

•Get outside. A nature walk, sidewalk chalk, a game of catch, or a few minutes on a bike let off cranky energy.

•Skip family dinner; have family dessert. Waiting until Dad comes home can push the limits of kid-sized stomachs. Feed the troupes early, get them ready for bed, and let them eat dessert when you dine later--with everyone in a better mood.

•Read a book. Why save books for bedtime? Reading, either together or alone, slows the pace of a hectic day.

•Put on festive music. Something jumpy, something fun, anything to set a fun mood.

•Do something shocking. Crazy hat afternoon. Inside-out clothing only. No forward walking allowed. Shake things up with a funny rule for the challenging hours of the day.

•Resign yourself to the floor. A few minutes of uninterrupted play with mommy stops their shirt-pulling and lets you feel less guilty when you escape to make dinner, return phone calls, or shut the door to the bathroom.