https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 17:47:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792617 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 11:30:06 +0000 gingerbebe 2792617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Stop it you guys. Its just that I struggle with anxiety, and having a game plan (even when it fails terribly in execution) helps me feel calmer and less overwhelmed by my life. My husband also works from home and I don't work on Fridays, so that's when I get a little more flexibility (which is necessary because we have zero family around to help and we currently don't use any babysitters).</p> <p>@MrsADS: Its totally normal to feel overwhelmed and behind. Like, I came home yesterday from work and my kids had been home sick with their dad and the house was just REKT. I didn't get to take my work clothes off for 3 hours because I was just running around feeding, cleaning, mopping up, chasing, etc. Especially since you're pregnant, just take it easy on yourself. And working part-time definitely helps a lot. </p> <p>DH and I also both need that 60-90 minutes of decompression each night, but at least for me, I become a sloth if I do that BEFORE my chores are done. If I'm in motion, I stay in motion. I usually like to pack lunches while I'm plating up dinner. I use the same fruit and veg as dinner, perhaps the same thing for the main entree if its something clean like quesadillas or pizza, or I quickly slap a PBJ or crackers/cheese/pepperonis together. I usually just pack some leftovers for myself. That way by the time dinner is over, all the lunches are packed too.</p> <p>We divide and conquer in the evenings, so DH will usually take the boys upstairs for baths after dinner and I will clean up the kitchen. I also have to pick up all the dirty socks and random discarded clothes and throw them in the hamper, sweep up the 1/2 cup of sand that comes home in each boys' shoes, set up the coffee for the next day, and usually eat my own dinner because for some reason my children will never let me eat in peace. Then we regroup for bedtime routines.</p> <p>Usually our most urgent chores (minus the dishes, which is DH's chore 90% of the time) are done by the time the kids are in bed. Then we can have our decompression time or I'll go do a mom zone out at Target. DH usually works about 2-3 hours in the evening returning emails. Usually 30 minutes before bed, DH does the dishes and I set up dinner components for the next night. </p> <p>We admittedly go to bed late - around 11pm - but I get up around 630am, so that's not too bad. I shoot for 7 hours of sleep during the week and usually take 1-2 hour naps both days of the weekend (can you tell I have high sleep needs??) so I guess it evens out. Definitely miss the days I could sleep in until noon though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792594 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 09:57:34 +0000 jennlin821 2792594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Lol hardcore...more like boring eaters! this actually started when my husband was in grad school, I would make 5 different meals for each day, so we would always eat the one thing for dinner and then lunch the following day. But DH said he couldn't handle eating the same thing two meals in a row like that. But the same thing for lunch or dinner is fine, because its not directly 'next' to each other! Go figure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792588 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 09:30:10 +0000 MrsADS 2792588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also bow down to the altar of @gingerbebe :silly: </p> <p>Seriously though, I feel like I try to do a lot of these tips and I am still super behind and totally exhausted all the time. I'm not sure what else I could do, other than stay up later to do more stuff (I have to go to bed really early!). </p> <p>I work all day, get home at 5. 2yo is already home with daddy. He barely naps at daycare so he's a hot mess every night. Dinner is either something prepared over the weekend or random stuff from the freezer (i.e. frozen TJ's rice, deli turkey, carrot sticks, fruit, cheese for the 2yo, we eat frozen burritos or something). Usually on the weekends I do a crockpot meal or something. We have to get the 2yo upstairs in bath by 6:00 and in bed by 6:30-7 at the VERY latest (with no nap he has to go to bed this early).</p> <p>Then DH and I usually sit on the couch from about 7-7:30 to rest, watch a tiny bit of TV, eat dinner if we didn't earlier. We both very much need this decompression time. Then 7:30-9 I pack/prep lunches for me and 2yo (this always seems to take forever, IDK why), DH washes dishes. I add random other chores as needed - wash/fold laundry, clean up, go through mail, *maybe* easy meal prep (like cook pasta for the next night), etc. By 9 I am just shot, I usually go upstairs, put laundry away, wash face, take off makeup, etc. and I like to be in bed by 9:30. </p> <p>I am switching to part-time (3 days a week) after Christmas at work and I am SO EXCITED, it is going to make life 10000x better. At least until May when the new baby comes and everything falls apart again. Haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792580 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 08:02:15 +0000 LCTBQE 2792580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caterw: @gingerbebe: yessss I want you to have an advice column called Dear Ginger and there could be a section in the drop-down menu for board categories called "gingerbebe"<br /> Implementing pasta Wednesday tomorrow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792576 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 07:22:33 +0000 caterw 2792576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: I concur that @Gingerbebe is the president of HelloBee! Do you happen to have an advice column? If not, you should. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792532 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 18:42:31 +0000 gingerbebe 2792532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: We have fairly structured weekends as well, but in a different way. My whole family just really likes routine, so we just stick with it!</p> <p>Saturdays, we "sleep in" until 730am, then we have a "Continental breakfast" - i.e. the boys ask for yogurt or cereal (again, hangry first thing), then when they see Daddy is having a full breakfast with eggs and what not, they want some too. So they get some scrambled eggs and frozen turkey sausage and fruit in addition to whatever they asked for. Breakfast usually drags out an hour and then the boys get some outside time or TV time while I clean up and figure out what to do with them for the day! Our boys need a lot of physical activity, so we usually take them to a park, but with the weather, its become trickier. This weekend we took them to an indoor play gym and other times we've taken them to museums and what not - anywhere they can run. Sometimes we eat out, sometimes we come home, but nap is always at 1pm. We usually do family nap (meaning DH and I sleep too) and we get up around 4-4:30pm. Boys will have a snack and I will start making dinner. I would say 2 Saturdays a month we have friends come over for dinner. They usually come over around 4:30pm since they know we nap until then and they keep the kids occupied while I get dinner situated and then they hang out with us until the kids' bedtimes at 730pm. Sometimes they stay after bedtime for adult conversations, sometimes they head out once the kids go to bed, and sometimes they just watch the kids and let us go out on a late date! If we're free that evening, DH and I usually do some chores like folding laundry or grocery shopping. I also usually stay up a little later on Saturday doing meal prep for the week. Its my nice quiet time to knock out some meals and snacks, listen to music, etc. </p> <p>Sundays we get up at 730am and have the big breakfast, but then get dressed for church. We have 930am service, we're out of there by 11am, and then we usually take the kids to a park if the weather permits and picnic there. If not, we often head to Costco and pick up a few things and either feed them lunch at the food court or bring them home after they've run around the joint. We usually also get gas there. Then its nap time and DH and I usually take the first hour of nap to do weekly chores like taking out the garbage and cleaning out the cars a bit from all the weekly detritus. Then we usually take a nap, eat dinner, and then let the kids watch some TV while we prep daycare bags, lunches, and wipe down the kitchen. I generally like the house to be a little tidied up going into the week so I don't feel so stressed out. Once the kids are in bed, DH usually does some work in his office until late (he runs his own practice, so he usually spends Sunday night setting up for the week) and I make sure we have dinner set for Monday. I do a fridge inventory (clean out bad food, take stock of my leftover situation, look at my freezer, and pull things out of the freezer to thaw, etc). I look at my pantry and write up a rough meal plan for the week and stick that on the fridge. Based on that, typically each weeknight night I know what we're having for dinner the next day and get make sure everything is either ready to reheat or that I have every thing set up to cook it quickly when I get home.</p> <p>As for freezer meals, I generally find its just easier to have meal COMPONENTS batch cooked and frozen in portions. So if you're making taco meat, make double and freeze half. Same with pulled pork, shredded chicken, plain seasoned ground beef, meat sauce, and chili. I almost always make extra Spanish rice and basmati/jasmine rice and freeze it as well. This way at least one major component of your meal is knocked out and you just need to add 1-2 other things. </p> <p>If I have plain ground beef pre-cooked flat in a freezer bag, it can be hamburger stroganoff, skillet shepherd's pie, spaghetti, tacos, vegetable beef soup, fried rice, Thai basil beef, or chili in 20 minutes or less and my family doesn't complain its the same thing over again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792528 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 18:01:45 +0000 codeitall 2792528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I really do think I might print out your list and put it on my fridge! I already tried out a few things last night/this morning and what a difference! Also love your meal plans and theme nights, I think I'll be officially adding in fried rice/stir fry and a McDonald's visit a week (or just let them run wild in the Playplace while I have ice cream). I bought a Plan to Eat subscription, so I'll start making weekly meal plans to rotate through on there. How do your weekends look other than planning out the week's food and outfits? Does having the structure on the weekdays pay off with more relaxed weekends?</p> <p>@LCTBQE: I love baking, so Sunday is my special baking day. It will be some time before I start liking cooking instead of making desserts with my toddler. Maybe I can get him to 'help' me cook as well. My husband jokes that I spend the weekend making the kitchen a mess so I don't have to be in there the rest of the week :silly: </p> <p>@looch: I am so starting a mail bin on my husband's desk and moving to quarterly activities! I hadn't thought of consolidating all my appts to one day, that makes so much more sense! We fortunately are not to the school-age yet, but it is a really good idea to keep everything on hand for a last-minute project. Goodness knows I sprang enough of those on my mother.</p> <p>@jennlin821: I do freezer meals occasionally, but I think my kids would revolt if I served the same thing two days in a row ;) Guess I should invest in serving size containers for the freezer! I've never heard of COZI before, thanks for the tip!</p> <p>@2PeasinaPod: I love our 'family' calendar and Google Keep checklists. It is so easy to just put something on my husband's calendar to make sure he gets reminder notifications to do it other than me texting him ;)</p> <p> @Mrs D: I definitely need to give DS chores. He's old enough to pick out his own outfits since he has such strong opinions anyway!</p> <p>Thanks everyone for all your tips! I'm so excited to try all these new ideas out!</p> <p>I can see I need to try out the grocery delivery/pickup. I've thought about it but have never pulled the trigger to make an actual order! And take a serious look at outsourcing my cleaning! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792524 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 17:24:42 +0000 gingerbebe 2792524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aw thanks everyone that's so kind.</p> <p>RE: meal prepping. If you're into weekly or monthly menu planning, I'm a big fan of weekly templates - like Soup Monday, Mexican Tuesday, Pasta Wednesday, Leftover Thursday, etc. That way you can fit something different on each day, but mentally you know what to fill into that blank on each weekday. I used this especially when I did monthly menu planning. Once a month, I'd just go dig around and find 4 soup, 4 pasta, 4 sandwiches/burger, and 4 crockpot recipes, plus 4 pizza topping variations, and we'd have our game plan for the month. I don't plan like this anymore, but it was very helpful in a certain season of my life.</p> <p>For meal kit services that have to be cooked quickly, I've tried them all and Gobble is the beast. HelloFresh and Blue Apron are more like you have time and you want to cook a fun meal and have an hour to burn. Gobble pre-cooks parts of the meal and its supposed to get you a family friendly meal in 15 minutes. I think its closer to 20-25, but still good to change things up and its nice to have as an option when you know things will be hectic a certain week.</p> <p>Costco has very good prepped entrees you can pop in the oven. Their alfredo, ravioli lasagna, mac n' cheese, and meatloaf and mashed potato dinners have all been good and handy to keep in the fridge for one meal mentally done for the week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792508 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:02:44 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2792508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A family calendar is essential for us. We have a 5 and 2 year old, and they both have activities and things to remember for day care. Not to mention I travel some for work, so we put everything in a shared iCalendar. </p> <p>We go grocery shopping every Sunday after church, and we make meals that we can reheat during the week. If I know I'll be traveling, I'll still do something so that DH can quickly heat something for dinner. </p> <p>We make the kiddos lunches the night before. Anything that we can prep ahead of time, we do on Sunday. Like DS1 gets fruit, veggies, and a sandwich for lunch. We prep the fruit and veggies in his lunch containers for the week and then plop a sandwich in there the night before so that we just grab his lunchbox and go in the morning. </p> <p>I work from home twice/week, and that's a lifesaver. In between meetings, I'll run downstairs and start the dishwasher. Or I'll unload my dishwasher while chatting with my boss about something. She's fully understanding of things like that. I throw a load of laundry in during my down time and fold later that night while watching TV. It doesn't leave a ton of downtime for us at night, but it's getting into a routine and making sure that Saturdays are ours to do whatever we want/need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792502 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:17:20 +0000 juli7 2792502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Such good tips! My number 1 tip is grocery delivery - not having to spend time on the weekends grocery shopping makes such a difference! It also forces me to meal plan-I do two weeks at a time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792499 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:07:46 +0000 Mrs D 2792499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you or DH arent as hardcore ( :silly: ) as @jennlin821: you can still prep everything in advance and eat different foods. I am perfectly comfortable eating left over but DH is not. Here is an example of a good week for me, all prepped Sunday:</p> <p>-Snacks all prepped (I use ball jars for food storage)<br /> -Brekafast prepped (oatmeal, overnight oats, egg muffins, etc)<br /> -Veggies cleaned/prepped<br /> -Big pot of Soup (dinner for the fam one night, lunch for me 2-3 days)<br /> -Big Sunday Dinner, something that can be "re-do" later in the week (i.e. roast chicken, baked potatos, roasted veggies....re-done later in the week as salads w/ chicken)<br /> -Prep two other dinners for the week, as far as they can be prepped<br /> -Roast more veggies, starches, and proteins for the week.<br /> -Make batch of rice</p> <p>It takes 2-3 hours on Sunday but my kids can help and it frees up SO much time throughout the week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792498 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:05:11 +0000 Becky 2792498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish I had kids that slept in like everyone else!</p> <p>Our ingredients for less stressful days:<br /> Pack the diaper bag the night before </p> <p>Pack lunches the night before (most successful when I make a big kale salad because that’s hardy and lasts the week; other days I do it in the AM because I don’t like soggy salad)</p> <p>Get up before the kids: DH never does and it is a HUGE point of stress. I get up at 5:15, drink coffee and make lunches or do chores until 5:45-6, go running and get back home by 6:30, and then a combo of showering, making kids breakfast, and getting kids dressed until 7:30-7:45. My kids are usually up between 6-6:30 so if DH was up he could get them ready buuuut too bad. Out the door by 7:45.</p> <p>Never make dinner on a weeknight. Praise all of you who are able to prep food for 30 minutes in the evening but my kids need to eat right away usually. My mom makes dinner twice a week which is fantastic, Thursday’s we give the kids leftovers and DH and I eat late, Friday’s DH feeds himself and the kids while I grocery shop (something easy like homemade pizza or broiled chicken, veggie, sweet potatoes because he gets home early like 5-5:15, or leftovers). Monday is a crapshoot because we are usually getting in the door around 6 so we need leftovers. When my mom is out of town so not there for dinner those 2 days I try leftovers, freezer meals, making something in the AM like tuna, or eggs. We eat the same foods over and over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792494 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:46:36 +0000 jennlin821 2792494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DON'T COOK DURING THE WEEK!<br /> I know that not many people will be able to handle this, but my husband and I eat the same meal for lunch all week and another for dinner.<br /> On Sunday we make a big batch of two meals (this week was Kale &amp; Bean soup for lunch and chicken salad wraps for dinner) we make enough for 10 lunches (5 each) and 8 dinners (4 each). We also prep all snacks and other pieces. this week we had clementines, bread to go with the soup, and yogurt.<br /> So by Sunday night, lunch and dinner is completely ready for the entire week. It is such a relief to not have to worry about food at all during the week. And we typically bring home something on Friday. </p> <p>My one other suggestion if you can't handle eating the same thing in a row is to do batch cooking and then freeze in serving size portions.<br /> For example, we make a huge batch of chili, and then freeze in our 2-cup size pyrex containers. I take 2 out in the morning, they are defrosted by the time we get home, quick zap and hot chili is ready.<br /> So if you can't eat the same thing several days in a row, try batch cooking and freezing in individual servings, then each night you can have a different meal ready to go.</p> <p>The other thing that keeps us super organized is a shared app. We use COZI - it has a calendar, to do lists, and shopping lists. That way if someone is at the store we don't have to text back and forth AND our staples list for groceries is always there. </p> <p>And like everyone else said, amazon prime the essentials, and never worry about running out of toilet paper again or baby wipes again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792474 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:44:56 +0000 Mrs D 2792474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We both work out of the home, DH is a partner at a law firm so he has a bit more flexibility bc his hours are flexible and can be done from home as needed.</p> <p>For us, here are my takeaways:</p> <p>1) Outsource where possible. We have a cleaning lady, lawcare service, dog walker, day care. We've recently hired our cleaning woman and lawn care, these were areas we saw slipping and more arguments about - so for us, we'd rather outsource than stress and/or fight!</p> <p>2) Meal Prep/Plan - figure out what works for you. When I started my new job 2 months ago I was so rattled by this because we were losing some of our flexibility. I found that writing out a list of our go to meals was a huge help. Personally what works for us is for me to make two meal Sunday. Then during the week I prep two more meals in the mornings. DH gets dinners going when he gets home with the girls. For us, delivery services like HelloFresh dont work - but maybe they would for you? I do make great use of curbside shopping from local grocery stores...this is big time helpful for me on busy Sundays.</p> <p>3) Lists lists lists - I keep a plum paper notebook for all my crazy lists, and a paper planner as well. It helps me keep my head in order.</p> <p>4) Give your kids chores. We do a lot of night before prep - and our DD1 (4yo) has her chores. Usually picking out her outfit, her sisters outfit, feeding the dog, etc. Every little bit helps! :)</p> <p>Lastly...give yourself extra time in any schedule. It always takes longer than you think... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792332 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 15:11:57 +0000 petitenoisette 2792332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: already mentioned this but my number one tip as a working parent is getting ready before your kid(s) are up and only getting them up minutes before they need to leave. On the rare occasion my daughter has time to settle in and start playing, it’s a total nightmare getting out of the house. </p> <p>Normally my DH gets her up 10-15 minutes before we leave, gets her dressed, I am downstairs finishing up her breakfast, they come down and we get her shoes, coat on and go out to the car. It sounds like your kids don’t want to get up early so I’d definitely take advantage of that as much as possible! </p> <p>Don’t try to pack lunches in the morning. Just don’t. That is a nighttime task. :silly: </p> <p>Regarding food, don’t feel guilty over dinners being less than creative, it’s fine to eat the same things over and over, follow a schedule, eat leftovers, etc. Just feed your kids and call it a day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792298 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 10:28:09 +0000 Bibliolove 2792298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine aren't particularly life changing, but one thing I just started doing that I like is meal planning for the month. I printed off an empty calendar and plugged in meals. I found that I added easy meals for Fridays, fun new meals for Saturday's (since I love cooking and want to try new stuff), and slow cooker meals on Sunday. The Sunday meal is meant to give us leftovers for Monday. The rest of the week I do an egg dish, ground beef or ground turkey or chicken meals. It takes out the weekly stress of meal planning for me.</p> <p>Sorry the pic isn't great but you get the idea!</p> <p>[attach=6692/17/p142yy.600x337.IMG_20171215_092145.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792292 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 08:14:29 +0000 Chuckles 2792292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I love the idea of one day for all appointments! I never thought to do that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792291 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 08:11:01 +0000 Chuckles 2792291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: totally agree! @gingerbebe:'s responses are super helpful and realistic too :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792276 Sat, 16 Dec 2017 22:16:32 +0000 matador84 2792276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Routine to the extreme. I get 3 kids ready all under the age of 5 by myself in the mornings. I have our schedule down to the minute! Dinners involve a lot of pre-prep and slow cooker meals. Everyone goes to bed by 8pm. I'm pretty strict but this is the only way we can function! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792206 Sat, 16 Dec 2017 07:38:13 +0000 looch 2792206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I give myself a lot of room to change up the routine. It was easier when my son was in daycare, it is a new level of chaos with elementary school.</p> <p>Laundry: I have a washing machine where I can set it to begin the load of wash up to 18 hours later. If I have to wash something during the week, I typically start the load so that it finishes as I come home so I can put it in the dryer. Otherwise, I only do laundry on the weekends. To help with that, I have a three bin laundry sorter so that I can easily do a load and not have to sort it (I am super picky about how I wash clothes). I also leverage the dry cleaner. My son wears a uniform, so I do the hanging laundry sorter in his room with a week's worth of clothes. I keep his pajamas in the bathroom so he can just get dressed right out of the shower. </p> <p>My clothes: I spend time on Sunday night to make sure I have outfits for the week. I make sure I have tights, undergarments, etc so I am not wearing black underwear with white pants! I keep a pair of tights in my desk at the office, along with a bag of makeup, toothbrush etc in case I can't do my face at home.</p> <p>I also keep food in my desk at work, like kind bars, cans of soup, shelf stable milk, cereal, oatmeal, in case I can't pack my food. I eat at the cafeteria too, and on some nights, I get an extra sandwich if I have meeting at my son's school. I prioritize my son's lunch because he refuses to eat the hot lunch offering, so he needs to have it packed. If he would agree to the hot lunch, I would for sure get him that. </p> <p>I buy all my tickets online, so i always make sure I have a phone charger with me, in case I need to plug it in on the train to show my ticket. I keep a backpack for my work stuff and a tote bag for my food. I commute via public transport and drive, so I try to keep myself organized so I am not switching bags and forgetting things. I wear a cross body bag with a pocket for my phone and I keep my key fobs on a lanyard along with my parking garage badge. I haven't lost anything in years this way. We also eliminated a house key and went to a keyless entry system. I can also unlock/lock the doors remotely and the house is set to turn off the lights at certain times so I never leave the house with all the lights on or unlocked doors.</p> <p>All bills are on autopay. I open the mail once a week, so I keep it in a bin on my husband's desk. He sorts it and files it. I also keep a sleeve of checks in my wallet in case I need to write a check for something at my son's school.</p> <p>My son is in elementary school and that means homework and projects, so I collected a bunch of supplies, like poster board, stick on letters, etc so that he could do a project without a special trip to the store. I don't have time for that during the week!</p> <p>I do one day for all my appointments. I go to the doctor, the dentist, the eye doctor, get my hair cut, etc. It is much easier than doing it one at a time and I make sure I get the self care I need. I do the same for my son on the day when he has his annual physical.</p> <p>I have a gift closet...it's really a chest of drawers, but it has paper, bags, tissue, ribbon, tags and gifts. I stock up on things like adult coloring books, pencils, puzzles, small games and things so that I could give a gift to a friend of mine or my son's without having to make a special trip to the store or make an online order. I buy one gender neutral, non character age appropriate gift (this year it's Dr. Microbe) and if we get invited to a friend party, that's what they get.</p> <p>I say "no" and don't feel guilty about it. Our weekdays are hectic and I like to wind down on the weekends, so I often will opt to stay at home, particularly in the summer. I often invite friends over and that is how we pass the time. I choose one "big" activity per quarter, like a play, amusement park, trip to NYC with my son so he feels like we're doing special things, but I really want him to be able to enjoy and recharge and not get caught up in being busy all of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792182 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 21:14:25 +0000 Mae 2792182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>House cleaner is essential. Also routine, and lower standards lol. And we do divide and conquer a lot. We're a bit in between because we were a 2 working parent household with 1, but I'm still on maternity leave with #2 so I haven't lived that yet. But with 1, it was pretty easy for me to run loads of laundry through the week and I'd often have kiddo help me (or play near me while I) put a load away between daycare and dinner. We also didn't cook that much, maybe 2-3 times/week. Nights we didn't cook I'd make something quick for the kid (we keep a stash of semi-healthy fast food for her in the house, like veggie burgers, frozen meatballs, frozen fried rice, etc), and we'd eat after we put kiddo to bed. On weekends we did target and grocery runs. I'd often take the kid with me while husband did stuff around the house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792180 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 20:51:15 +0000 erinbaderin 2792180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get up early so that you’re all ready to go before you get the kids up. I get up at 5 so that when we get the boys up at 6 we can put all our focus on getting them up and going. We plan our meals on Sunday, order the groceries click and collect, and then pick them up after Sunday bedtime. I have a pretty solid collection of dinners that can go from ingredients to on the table in half an hour. Fridays are always takeout, and the cleaners come every other week. I pretty much do no other cleaning, just tidying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792177 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 20:32:12 +0000 LCTBQE 2792177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: every single thing you write I just want to print out and tape to my fridge. you are the president of hellobee. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792176 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 20:31:11 +0000 LCTBQE 2792176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: we only have one toddler and we're still really fumbling around in the dark trying to figure this out, but for me the make-or-break thing is night-before cleaning and prep, for ME as well as for the baby. I don't always do all of this--it takes an hour and I'm exhausted-- but when I do, mornings are super smooth and not stressful.<br /> -spend 5 or 10 minutes picking up the house and putting away clutter; this keeps me sane and we can find everything.<br /> -cook/pack the baby's daycare lunch and prep his sippy cups<br /> -pack anything else we need into his daycare bag<br /> -look at the weather and pick out my outfit and iron it if need be, pull out what tights/shoes/coat I'm going to wear<br /> -shower at night and fix my hair if I washed it</p> <p>Our cooking and meals are still pretty hit or miss and we order a LOT of takeout. I cook 3 or 4 nights a week, always healthy, but we could improve on this. The thing I just can't get on board with is cooking all day Sunday; I know it's the smart thing to do but I get super territorial over that time :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792174 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 20:05:59 +0000 nana87 2792174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes to divide and conquer! Dh makes lunches and walks the dogs in the mornings while I get the girls dressed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792173 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 20:05:59 +0000 nana87 2792173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes to divide and conquer! Dh makes lunches and walks the dogs in the mornings while I get the girls dressed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792165 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 19:01:16 +0000 gingerbebe 2792165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I have a canvas hanging organizer in each kids closet and once a week I fill it with outfits and PJs for the week. DH and I pretty much wear a “uniform” and wear like the same thing everyday. </p> <p>2. I keep shoes, coats, and socks in the car (if both parents are picking up or dropping off, then in both cars). A basket of socks gets refilled and placed in the car each week and they get put on at our destination.</p> <p>3. Daycare bags and lunches are packed the night before. Lunches are often simple or leftovers from another night. Coffee gets set up before we go to bed.</p> <p>4. Housecleaner comes every 2 weeks.</p> <p>5. Amazon subscribe and save for non-negotiable household goods like Lysol wipes, soap, diapers, etc.</p> <p>6. Keep a stock of convenience foods like pouches, shelf stable milk or juice boxes, frozen nuggets, string cheese, and uncrustables on hand when you are in a jam for lunch or dinner. We also always keep a frozen Birdseye chicken pasta meal in the freezer for backup dinner.</p> <p>7. Eat easy fruits and veggies. Baby carrots, Persian cucumbers, berries, clementines, grapes, bananas. Pickles. Olives.</p> <p>8. Car breakfast. Our Daycare offers breakfast but our kids want to eat immediately and sitting down means they take forever and dawdle. Car breakfast is a dry, clean affair like a toaster waffle, Belvita, cinnamon raisin toast, blueberry bagel, etc. They can eat more at school if they want. </p> <p>9. I try to go into the week with Monday’s dinner in the bag so I just reheat when I get home from work. I usually cook 2-3x a week and we have leftovers from those meals once more - either for dinner a second time or lunch on the weekends. Usually a soup or stew, a curry over rice, and either pasta or Mexican. I use our Instant Pot a lot and often cook in the evenings after the kids are in bed so I can just reheat the next day. If I can double a meal and freeze half, all the better. One night is usually a hot mess dinner like quesadillas or something when I don’t have leftovers. We allow ourselves grace for going out once a week to McDonalds if need be (they have a PlayPlace and they eat well there, shoot me). I usually make fried rice once a week with all the odds and ends. We add the easy fruit and veg and call it a day. </p> <p>10. We have a strict routine. I am up at 630am and do my face and hair OR get dressed. Boys are up at 645am, DH gets them dressed, I pack lunches and bags into the car and have their car breakfast ready. I put a mug of coffee in the car for DH and help them get buckled in. DH and boys leave by 7am and I finish getting dressed, closing up the house, and packing my own bags and I’m out the door by 725am.</p> <p>In the evenings, DH gets the boys so that I can get dinner on the table and ready to eat as soon as they walk in the door. We a strict routine in the evenings and everyone is in bed by 730pm (although 3yo has been dragging it to 8pm lately). DH usually does dishes or laundry, I cook or grocery shop, and we both shower at night before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792157 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 16:38:43 +0000 LuLu Mom 2792157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with @Littlebug - we have a routine we stick too and I meal plan so I grocery shop on Sunday for the entire week, prep what I can, and make sure meals can be made in 30 minutes or under. I utilize my crockpot a lot so dinner id done when we get home. </p> <p>I clean the house with DH on Thursday night, we split the chores and get it done in a hour. I do one load of laundry a day so that way its not a big pile on the weekends, all I do is sheets/towels on weekends. It works for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792155 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 16:30:53 +0000 littlebug 2792155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Routine, routine, routine - figure out a routine that works and stick with it! Divide and conquer - the kids, tasks, etc. Embrace the crock pot and make-ahead meals. Prepare/pack as much as you can the night before. We make all our lunches on Sunday so that we can just grab one each morning and go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-two-woh-parents#post-2792152 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 16:08:29 +0000 codeitall 2792152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband just got a job and I'll be honest, I miss our flexibility when he wasn't working haha! Our list of things to do on Saturday is larger, our dinners are more pathetic, and my kids are super resistant to waking up early to go on time.</p> <p>What are some tips that you have for life with two working parents? </p>