https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 03:20:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096954 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 15:43:23 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2096954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I try to make weeknight cooking as easy as possible. I do a lot of freezer cooking by making casseroles and soups ahead of time. Pinterest has a ton of ideas and I really like the cookbook "Don't Panic, Dinner's in the Freezer." I also bulk cook spaghetti sauce, bbq chicken, and taco meat and freeze them in dinner sized portions, so we can make quick meals of spaghetti, sandwiches, tacos, salads, etc. We also do breakfast for dinner once or twice a week.</p> <p>My daughter plays with magnetic letters on the fridge or sits in her high chair and munches on sliced veggies while my husband or I make dinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096943 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 15:37:00 +0000 looch 2096943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I go to Patel Brothers (Indian grocery) and I follow someone around and pick out what they do.</p> <p>No, in all seriousness, a girlfriend told me that any spice mix will do, but instead of adding water do a mix of half broth (chicken if you're not vegetarian) and tomato puree. Gives a basic curry more oompf. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096905 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 15:13:03 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2096905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When it's just me making dinner, I try to get him to play on his own, which he usually likes to do. Occasionally he'll want to stand in his tower and "help". If I'm making something more complicated that needs more attention, I let him watch an episode of TV.<br /> I'm also obsessive about meal planning. We have meals for every night written on the calendar &amp; I take into consideration our busy days to go "easy". (I'm crazy, I even check the weather forecast, because if it's nice I don't want to be stuck inside stirring something!) It's helped us to be less rushed when we get home and dinner is ready faster. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096825 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 14:28:13 +0000 mediagirl 2096825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: any good recipes for curries? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096749 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 13:38:28 +0000 Grace 2096749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 18 months old and the best new "trick" has been to stand her on a chair at the counter so she can see what's going on. She sometimes has a snack there. When she gets bored, she goes on go-fer duty. Takes bits of garbage one by one and throws it out. I send her to the table with cutlery, one by one. Usually by the time that's all done, supper is almost ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096561 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:06:04 +0000 Mommy Finger 2096561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm the odd mad out. We usually feed him something quick that I know he likes and then we eat dinner after he goes to bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096541 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 11:59:42 +0000 Smurfette 2096541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We eat leftover from the weekend or super easy stuff. When DH is traveling she watches Mickey will I throw dinner together. Or if he is home and not working still, then he and her play till dinner is ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096532 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 11:55:07 +0000 sarac 2096532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same as everyone, I would just use my crock pot several times a week, and prep the night before for the other stuff. I wouldn't want to spend more than about 10 minutes cooking right after coming home from a long day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096518 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 11:49:47 +0000 Anagram 2096518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I make really easy stuff during the week (last night spicy rice and slices of turkey sausage (steamed broccoli seperate)--like a jambalaya). And lately since I got pregnant again and have so little energy, I started letting LO watch TV while I meal prep. Before pregnancy, I would just set her up with a coloring station or her megablox, which would keep her fairly occupied. </p> <p>I want to try a kitchen helper, too... I've been waiting for a sale.</p> <p>Oh! Also sometimes I give LO a chore that takes her a while--like I throw a huge pile of dirty clothes by the washer and she will put it in piece by piece. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096507 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 11:43:14 +0000 CastleGirl 2096507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 10 months old. Right now, he doesn't eat what we eat for dinner. I get home at 5 and immediately start making dinner for DH and me. We put him in his high chair and I cobble together food for him -- typically some frozen veggies and leftover meats and grains. He'd get cranky if I made him wait until 6 or so to eat dinner with us, and it's easier to occupy him with food while I'm trying to cook. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2096118 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 08:45:59 +0000 looch 2096118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't cook during the week but we eat homemade food every single night. Here's how:</p> <p>On Sunday, I do batch cooking. I am very picky about what I use the crockpot for, most recipes aren't for me as I don't like "wet" meat. So, I will make something like a pork shoulder and freeze 2 portions and save one for Monday's dinner.</p> <p>I also do a big portion of protein on Sunday night, like a salmon filet. We'll eat it hot on Sunday, but another night during the week we will use the leftovers in a salad or fish tacos.</p> <p>Another thing I like to make in bulk/ahead is meatloaf. We can eat it hot one night, and on sandwiches another night. Basically, I like things that I can make ahead and freeze then defrost in the fridge and then heat back up during the week. Curries are great for this, as are soupy things like chili. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095832 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:42:55 +0000 jedeve 2095832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to pick lo up from daycare and I would cook also. We usually got home around 5:45, and he would want to nurse. </p> <p>I only worked three days a week, so I would usually do leftovers one night, a crockpot meal one night, and something stupid easy the other night. </p> <p>Crockpot meals: salsa chicken, Philly chicken cheesesteak sandwiches, pulled pork. </p> <p>Stupid easy: spaghetti, grilled cheese and tomato soup, frozen fish fillets from Costco, breakfast for dinner, quesadillas.</p> <p>Real Simple magazine always has a 5 weeknight dinners in 30 minutes each section! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095780 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:12:17 +0000 petunia354 2095780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He watches a show or plays with his cars in the kitchen with me! It's definitely a struggle sometimes and some days are worse than others but you'll get into a good routine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095741 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 20:52:07 +0000 mrbee 2095741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She plays with MagnaTiles or wooden blocks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095688 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 20:29:55 +0000 DillonLion 2095688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We frequently prep her dinner the night before. As soon as we get home she is ready to eat so she eats her dinner and watches a show while I cook for DH and I. She takes so long to eat that we have time to cook and eat ourselves before she is do e most of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095685 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 20:28:08 +0000 yellowbird 2095685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dd watches s tv show with a snack while I make dinner. It's the only way! I meal plan and don't make anything that will take longer than 20 mins on weeknights. I'm usually doing 17 things at once while making dinner so it's gotta be simple </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095683 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 20:27:34 +0000 mrsjazz 2095683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's just the two of us she'll play in her play kitchen, which is right outside our kitchen, or she'll play with our letter magnets on the fridge. If she's starting to get in the way, I sometimes turn on the music channel or let her watch some Sprout on my phone.</p> <p>Also, I don't always have to cook a full dinner, I try to batch cook on the weekends to make my life easier. If I need to make a full dinner I pull out the super quick and easy recipes like pasta or quesadillas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095672 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 20:23:00 +0000 catlady 2095672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is always crazy hungry (and cranky) when we get home so we actually try to have dinner pre-made pretty much every single weeknight. We usually make things that reheat well and can last in the fridge for a couple days if need be. Stuff like stews, casseroles, chili, curries, pasta bake, etc. That way we end up making all our dinners either on a Sunday or after she is already in bed during weekdays. It's been working out pretty well for us. Bonus is that it's easy to hide veggies in that type of food too. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095638 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 20:05:56 +0000 catomd00 2095638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is one so she either plays in the next room over, or sits t the fridge and plays with magnets. If she's super clingy or getting herself into trouble, I'll wear her or give her a snack in the high chair. Having a good lineup of quick, easy meals helps! We eat a lot of ground turkey or chicken with pre-cut veggies that I can throw different sauces on to keep it semi interesting. Meal prep on weekends or crockpot would be helpful but i can't bring myself to do it. Wednesday is reserved for pizza night now instead of Friday because it's easier to not have to cook on a work night! Oh and Sunday's I make a two night casserole type of meal, which take care of Monday! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095627 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 20:01:33 +0000 blackbird 2095627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, DH gets home with E at 4 and I get home at 430 or 5 and dinners on the table in 30 min. I plan simple stuff for the week or I reheat soup and the like. I prep on the weekend so veggies and chopped and in a big gallon ziplock bag so all I do is toss with oil and pour in a pan....and sometimes I can't get it done fast enough and E gets a leftover while I finish and then DH and I eat that and she may pick off our plates. I use the crockpot sometimes.....we're having spaghetti Monday and I'll make the sauce this weekend so all I have to do is cook the noodles and microwave the sauce. Tuesday is quesadillas and the meat will go in the crockpot so all I have to do is assemble and grill or microwave hers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095605 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:55:54 +0000 PurplePeony 2095605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I'm organized enough to do it, I find it helps tremendously to make as much as I can in advance so the nightly process goes quickly. Casseroles are great -- you can assemble the whole thing the night before and just pop it in the oven to heat. Same with crockpot meals, you ax put everything in the insert in advance and then just pull it out of the fridge and drop it into the heating element in the morning. Realistically, though, it's hard to recover if you miss a night of pre-prepping so even though I always mean to do this, it doesn't happen as often as I'd like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095555 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:39:09 +0000 matador84 2095555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get home at six and DH gets home at 7 at the earliest. Crock pots and prepping or one pot meals are the only way for me. Otherwise I'm too tired to make dinner, much less think about it, and usually the kids are starving as soon as we get home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095548 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:35:13 +0000 regberadaisy 2095548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most nights she watches TV while eating a snack otherwise she wants me and I can't be with her and watch the baby and make dinner. On a good night she will draw at her easel or play quietly by herself. Most nights she's watching tv and baby sister is crying her head off while I make dinner on nights DH works till 9.</p> <p>You need more crock pot meals! And make two night meals so you only have to cook every other night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-working-parents-and-getting-dinner-on-the-table#post-2095541 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:31:10 +0000 mediagirl 2095541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you get home with your lo before your spouse and have little time to make dinner, what do you do? What does your lo do? </p> <p>My daughter is 2.5. Starting next week, she and I will be getting home at 5:45pm. We need dinner on the table by 6:15. Any tips on what she can do while I make dinner? I'm going to hate getting home late and having to rush to make dinner when it's beautiful out like it was today! </p>