This was never a problem before when I got home from work by 4 and my husband got home at 5. A month ago he was transferred and has a 1 hour/ 10 minute commute and is working a lot of overtime on top of that (got home at midnight on Tues., for example). We have a 5 y/o, 2 y/o, and 7 month old.
Before, he entertained the kids while I cooked dinner. No problem.
Now, I can't seem to do it. I thought after a couple of weeks I would figure it out and get into a routine. Nope. I try to put my daughter in her high chair w/ some cheerios, get the older boys to help or give them something to distract them but none of it seems to work. 2 poopy diapers and a wipe check are guaranteed during that time- they all seem to have a set schedule, I can't seem to get the boys interested in being mommy's big helper lately (well, not with dinner anyway), and you can only give a 7 month old so many Cheerios. Then, of course there's the, "mama, Connor took his pull-up off and peed on the wall", the "mommy, he took my ______", and the "mama, will you help me with _______".
My kids HAVE to eat and I don't want to buy take-out junk every day so what do I do????
Keep in mind... quick and easy meals is what I'm already doing (but they aren't so quick these days) and there are not many crock pot recipes that can cook for the 9 1/2 hours I'm away from the house. HELLLLPPPP!!!!
Just an example...
Last night I made chicken fajitas. And, I didn't really "make them" like I normally do, the chicken was precooked; I just had to slice the bell pepper & onion and saute it, then add the chicken to heat it. Along w/ that, shred the lettuce, dice tomatoes, and cook some rice. I also had some fresh tomatoes that HAD to be used or thrown out so I made some salsa.
Quick and easy, right?? What should have taken 35 minutes max took almost 3 hours.
I think I'm going to have to try this cooking ahead thing, if I can find the time.
Thanks everyone!!
My daughter is not at all interested in the back carrier (she's fine being in front but I worry about that not being safe around the oven). She actually screams every time I try. Every since she started crawling she just wants to go, go, go.
Dreaded... You're so lucky!
I dated and lived with a chef. That, "leave your work at work" rule seemed to apply. Booo!
Before, he entertained the kids while I cooked dinner. No problem.
Now, I can't seem to do it. I thought after a couple of weeks I would figure it out and get into a routine. Nope. I try to put my daughter in her high chair w/ some cheerios, get the older boys to help or give them something to distract them but none of it seems to work. 2 poopy diapers and a wipe check are guaranteed during that time- they all seem to have a set schedule, I can't seem to get the boys interested in being mommy's big helper lately (well, not with dinner anyway), and you can only give a 7 month old so many Cheerios. Then, of course there's the, "mama, Connor took his pull-up off and peed on the wall", the "mommy, he took my ______", and the "mama, will you help me with _______".
My kids HAVE to eat and I don't want to buy take-out junk every day so what do I do????
Keep in mind... quick and easy meals is what I'm already doing (but they aren't so quick these days) and there are not many crock pot recipes that can cook for the 9 1/2 hours I'm away from the house. HELLLLPPPP!!!!
Just an example...
Last night I made chicken fajitas. And, I didn't really "make them" like I normally do, the chicken was precooked; I just had to slice the bell pepper & onion and saute it, then add the chicken to heat it. Along w/ that, shred the lettuce, dice tomatoes, and cook some rice. I also had some fresh tomatoes that HAD to be used or thrown out so I made some salsa.
Quick and easy, right?? What should have taken 35 minutes max took almost 3 hours.
I think I'm going to have to try this cooking ahead thing, if I can find the time.
Thanks everyone!!
My daughter is not at all interested in the back carrier (she's fine being in front but I worry about that not being safe around the oven). She actually screams every time I try. Every since she started crawling she just wants to go, go, go.
Dreaded... You're so lucky!
I dated and lived with a chef. That, "leave your work at work" rule seemed to apply. Booo!