https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 18 May 2026 13:29:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2902233 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:35:59 +0000 psw27 2902233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We usually do pizza and a movie because I'm so burned out by Fridays. Although now I've been realizing I'm actually more burned out on Thursdays so I'd rather do pizza on Thursdays and then something simple on Fridays like pasta and salad. I can't bring myself to cook anything complicated by the end of the week. </p> <p>Tips for breakfast for dinner- bacon cooked in the oven is pretty impossible to burn. And I always put the pancakes between two plates to keep them warm or throw them in the oven on 175. I roast sweet potatoes in advance and just warm those back up in a skillet. The timing is kind of impossible though... something is always cold! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2902201 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 10:50:36 +0000 graceandjoy 2902201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We order out way too much haha. So Friday nights is usually an order out night so no cooking and minimal clean up. But honestly we treat Friday nights the same... Honestly it's worse for me as DH has to go to church before the kids bed time I'm on my own! </p> <p>Totally off topic but I feel like when we're not overspending eating out, then we're overspending on groceries trying to cook more :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2902138 Mon, 11 Nov 2019 22:56:01 +0000 jhd 2902138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: oh I love this idea of co-sleeping on Friday nights. 5.5 year old will.not.leave. our bed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901988 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 21:15:19 +0000 lady baltimore 2901988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: Are your littles old enough to handle their own dinner at all? When I was growing up, my absolute favorite was what we called "dinner night", meaning everyone just ate whatever they wanted. Let your boys pick to have bowls of cereal or cheese and crackers for dinner, make your husband responsible for feeding himself when he gets home, and give yourself a break from having to plan for everyone else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901947 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 21:04:33 +0000 wrkbrk 2901947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: It’s family night - either tacos or pizza out, and then home for a movie and co-sleeping! My almost four year old sleeps well (alone) now the other six nights with the promise of this on Fridays! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901944 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 20:49:35 +0000 jhd 2901944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: our Wednesdays are crazy and we have done English muffin pizzas twice lately. So easy, especially if you already have toppings ready to go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901935 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 19:34:49 +0000 MrsSRS 2901935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DIY pizzas! Get English muffins, hoagie rolls, or pizzas. Toast the bottom side under the broiler, then flip them over, and toast just a smidge, add pasta sauce, shredded cheese, toppings, stick back under the broiler. Done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901917 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 14:04:01 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2901917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have set schedules but I just added an extra hour to my Monday so I can leave work at 3:30 Friday’s because I always seem to get tied up and later leaving. In your situation I would do a super easy kid dinner like grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, eggs, whatever, and then you guys have dinner together when your DH gets home. We used to do this Friday nights but switched to Saturday ‘kid free dinner’: I do our grocery pick up for the week between 7-8 pm after kids are in bed and grab DW and I pizza, cheap Greek, burgers, whatever and watch Netflix or movie. We honestly look forward to it all week/day even though it’s so simple. Zoning out and eating on the couch seems so luxurious! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901915 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 12:17:04 +0000 Silva 2901915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Friday nights are typically homemade pizza or burgers. It feels like a treat to me because its also SCREEN TIME DAY!!! Insert all the celebration emojis. We don't do a lot of screen time, so on Fridays I let the kids binge on their ipads from about 4:00-6:00. I try to pick up around the house a little so we head into the weekend feeling a little relaxed.<br /> We try to eat when my husband gets home around 6 (usually the kids eat before he gets home because they go to bed super early). </p> <p>The best night is Saturday nights. 9 times out of 10 we feed the kids whatever is easy, and then after they go to bed we make nachos (we go all in on this and mix up toppings) &amp; margaritas and watch murder mysteries on BBC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901914 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 12:13:19 +0000 Miss Ariel 2901914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Friday nights are normallymovie night at our house. As soon as we get home the kids pick a movie to watch and eat dinner in front of the tv. Dinner is normally low-key, leftovers a lot, of for a special treat lunchables, which is the only time they get them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901909 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 10:20:45 +0000 erinbaderin 2901909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’ve always done takeout on Friday because I’m over cooking but taking the kids out somewhere is usually stressful. It was getting expensive so now we alternate “fancy takeout” (Chinese, Indian, etc) with an $8 pepperoni pizza from Little Caesar’s.</p> <p>Also on Fridays we bring up the little IKEA table and the kids sit at that, and they’re allowed to watch tv during dinner. They love it and we get to have an adult conversation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901905 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 08:11:38 +0000 petitenoisette 2901905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We often do pizza, sometimes take out but we usually make it. We actually had a great night last night because my 4 year old helped make the pizza and we had a little dance party. Usually I’m in a pretty good mood on Friday but I can see how if my DH was home late that I wouldn’t be! I also give myself permission on Friday’s to not clean up after dinner or worry about getting all the lunchboxes unpacked etc. If I don’t feel like it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901904 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 07:43:41 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2901904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is embarrassing to admit...but in my house breakfast for dinner is a very special treat... because I hate making big breakfast! I especially hate making pancakes! I feel like the earliest ones are cold and gummy by the time I get the last ones done, but I hate eating in shifts and I always seem to get in a rush and burn the bacon! If we do a big breakfast in the morning (holidays, weekends occasionally) we usually give the kids first breakfast and then do second breakfast later so we're not rushed. Even on Christmas morning....I'd rather have a premade casserole even though my husband prefers french toast/eggs/bacon. I just hate the whole process of making a big breakfast! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901901 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 23:43:42 +0000 cake2017 2901901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: a lot of ppl already mentioned but we do pizza out of box in family room as a family or breakfast for dinner. Wednesday’s is also breakfast....</p> <p>We always sit at the table as a family except Fridays. LO loves it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901896 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 22:13:53 +0000 MamaCate 2901896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnleaves: this! This is what I was going to say!</p> <p>We have a long standing Friday ritual of pizza movie night with papa Murphy take and bake. Kids watch a movie and we all eat on the couch during the movie which is a treat and break from the norm. Also a nice break from trying desperately to cram nutrition into them! </p> <p>I have found it is nice for everyone to have a break from routine—kids and grownups!</p> <p>My DH work schedule is essentially to be gone until after bedtime every Friday so we have this routine and on the rare days he is off then he just joins in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901895 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:53:22 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2901895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charm55: @JennyPenny: i love the idea of a date night in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901894 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:52:29 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2901894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnleaves: oh man this is a place I've never heard of! I live between Atlanta and Chattanooga and they both have this chain but we sadly don't have one yet! But we do have take n bakes from Publix and that's a great idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901893 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:51:48 +0000 JennyPenny 2901893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m burnt out by Friday too so we usually do takeout for the grownups and something separate for the kids. We’ll often get together with another family that my kids play well with. We’ll feed the kids first and let them play on their own while we have a nice grownup meal. If we’re on our own DH and I usually end up eating after bed because our kids aren’t as good about letting us be without a friend to distract them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901891 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:32:28 +0000 LadyDi 2901891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This probably wouldn’t work for you bc of your DH’s schedule but about 6 weeks ago I told my DH that Friday dinners were now his responsibility to figure out. He has off every other Friday and the Fridays he does work he is usually out around 4:30. I told him I literally do not care what we eat as long as I don’t have to think about it or execute it. So far on the Fridays that he works he has picked up pizza and when he has off he has grilled or made stir fry. I love to cook but I am burned out by Friday and it takes a little bit off my mental load. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901890 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:10:41 +0000 autumnleaves 2901890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Papa Murphy’s offers $5 pizza large cheese and 1 topping pepperoni and sausage pizzas on Fridays. It’s take and bake. The thin crust is great. The provide the baking trays. They also offer 40% off and 50% off quite a bit. I love pizza Friday’s. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901889 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:04:52 +0000 gotkimchi 2901889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: Thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901888 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:04:39 +0000 charm55 2901888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m done cooking by Friday, too. Often we feed the kids something easy (waffles, grilled cheese, soup, etc). Then when they are in bed Dh and I make nachos and binge watch Netflix. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901887 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 20:46:24 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2901887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="https://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/arroz-con-pollo-rice-with-chicken" rel="nofollow">https://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/arroz-con-pollo-rice-with-chicken</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901886 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 20:44:47 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2901886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: oh I absolutely love my instant pot! we eat a lot of rice so I use it at least three nights a week just to make rice. I honestly use the sautee and slow cook function about as much as I use the pressure cook function. But the slow cook does not get as hot as a regular slow cooker so you do have to babysit it if you make a recipe that way. sometimes the best way is just to use it as a pressure cooker and then let it release the pressure naturally and then the instant pot will keep it warm until you're ready to eat. but that process only takes about 2 hours even for something like a roast so it's not something you can start in the morning and have it still be warm in the evening. Or at least I haven't figured out how to do that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901885 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 20:42:26 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2901885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: there are a lot more recipes and not all of them are heavy beef recipes! I got mine used on Amazon for about $5. </p> [attach=2900/19/q0oi2r.450x600.15732636590758231192631829180196.jpg] [attach=2900/19/q0oi2s.450x600.15732636757045502756573200966449.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901884 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 20:39:32 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2901884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: </p> [attach=2900/19/q0ohxx.450x600.15732635538163099993904131637560.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901883 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 20:38:44 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2901883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: in this Crock-Pot cookbook I have they have a recipe for "bachelor beef stew" that is pretty much all convenience products: Frozen onions, steak tips, Frozen potatoes, frozen peas, and baby carrots. If it were not America's test kitchen I would not trust it because it is so easy, but I was really shocked at how good it turned out! There's also a meatloaf recipe in that book that is surprisingly good considering it comes from a crock pot. also not the Crock-Pot but America's test kitchen has a recipe for arroz con pollo and I have adapted it to the instant pot. so if we are on our way out the door to baseball or whatever I will sometimes put that on and start the pressure cooking and then by the time we get home it is done and still warm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901882 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 20:36:17 +0000 jhd 2901882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: i have been cooking ahead of time and freezing as i have time for those busy nights, but I need to use my crockpot. and my mom bought me an instant pot as a gift when i had DS2. he's now 19 months and i haven't gotten it out of the box because i'm intimidated. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901881 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 20:34:30 +0000 gotkimchi 2901881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: side note but anything really good you’ve made? I could up my crockpot game </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-friday-night-dinner-routine#post-2901880 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 20:32:17 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2901880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: that's a really good idea....I have been doing a ton more crock pot stuff this year because my son is in baseball 3xs a week right around dinner time (plus Scouts and piano the other nights, and my own nighttime commitments....and DH's after hours work meetings...ugh) but I don't know why I have not considered it for a night when we're all at home, which is sort of weird now that I think about it.... there's a Crock-Pot cookbook from America's Test Kitchen that is amazing and has really upped my crock pot game! Maybe since we do crock pot meals throughout the week I just hadn't considered adding another one. </p>