If you’re like me, you probably feel crazed during the hours between getting your children home from school and getting dinner on the table. The pressure to create a well-balanced, home cooked meal can be overwhelming and chaotic. Today, I’m sharing my 3 tips to make dinner time easier.
1) Take a look at your calendar. Is your family over scheduled? Assess what is truly adding value to your lives and get rid of everything that isn’t. Less Activity = More Time Together
2) Create a realistic menu plan that works for your schedule and cooking style. The Texan coaches college rugby two nights a week; on those evenings I plan meals that are easy to prepare and will taste great reheated. Check out my menu planning tips for more inspiration.
3) Take advantage of your freezer. For example, when you’re making lasagna, prep an extra and put it in the freezer for a future meal. Lasagna can easily defrost in the refrigerator and bakes in the oven for about an hour. My favorite lasagna recipe is one that I always double!
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What are some ways you are one of the #UnstoppableMoms at dinner time?
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Sarah says
Great tips… since school started I’ve become a slow cooker mom, like every morning (over night oats) AND dinner!
Emily says
That’s awesome, Sarah! Sounds like you might need two slow cookers!
Dawn says
These are great tips! I’ve found I’m so much more busy now that school has started back. I love having freezer meals on hand that I can just pop in the crock pot. I think I might need a second crock to have on hand.
Emily says
We used to have two crockpots – but I let a friend borrow one and she broke the lid. Keep an eye on yours if you did get a second one.
Stephanie @ Diary of a Debutante says
I’m so glad you mentioned that over-scheduling can become much more stressful than helpful. That’s my #1 problem— OVER planning!
xo,
Stephanie
Diary of a Debutante
http://www.thediaryofadebutante.com
Emily says
Hi Stephanie!
I feel like so many families are busy trying to give their kid an edge on a college application that they’re missing so many moments. Children don’t need to participate in activities every day; they need to be kids, too. Slowly down and only doing what you really enjoy – no matter your age – is what’s important!
Have a great weekend.
Raijean says
Now that he is in school, i Must plan better! Great tips.
Emily says
My son just started Kindergarten, it’s been a huge adjustment to keep up with the routine every. single. day. We’re getting better though!
Jenna Wood says
This sounds like a great promotion to help empower powerful moms! I know, when I over schedule my quality of everything goes down, great tips!
amber.m says
I’m a huge fan of meal planning & crock pot cooking 😉
That hour before dinner time though is just the CRAZIEST time! Between after school snacks, homework, just getting settled from school & then prepping and making dinner — it’s exhausting! These are excellent tips! I’m bad about over scheduling & then all the sudden it’s dinner & I have nothing prepped.
Emily says
Isn’t it crazy!? I remember how my mom made it look so effortless, too!
Marilyn says
Menu planning does make things so much easier! 🙂
Ange says
Awesome tips!! Thanks for sharing!!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
These are all fabulous tips! 🙂 Anything to make dinner prep easier on busy weeknight nights! Thank you so much for sharing.
Jamie (Mama.Mommy.Mom.) says
Overscheduling and under planning is a HUGE issue for me…