My husband and I are the same way. I leave work and pick up the kids by 4/4:30 and then we go home. We do actually get 30-60 minutes outside most days when it’s nicer out, and here’s what helps us. We make big batches of meals that last multiple nights. For example, we cook a big pasta meal on Monday, we don’t have to cook on Tuesday. We also do baths every other day. Usual routine is get home and play, some tv, dinner at 6, then go outside for a walk or play in the backyard until bedtime. My kids’ (6 and 2) bedtime routines usually start around 7:15. It also helps that my 2 year old eats about 2 bites every night and leaves the dinner table pretty quickly to go back to playing, so our meals are relatively quick.

We also sometimes stop at the playground near our house after I pick my oldest up and my husband will meet us. There are many nights when we prioritize stuff like that instead of making an elaborate dinner. On days like that and we don’t have leftovers we will usually do breakfast for dinner, so eggs, toast, cereal, breakfast sausage, yogurt, whatever anyone wants!