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@ moms of two, preparing dinner
I know I should probably post this on TB, but I am not a regular and I am not sure which board anyway. As I prepare for the adjustment from one DC to two, I am wondering how the heck am I going to make dinner for my family.
Today with just one child it was a real challenge. DS was cranky, interrupting me many times for this and that, which is fine, I am use to the this and plan enough time accordingly. But then we are sort of potty training and I needed to stop everything to put him on the potty and sit with him for 30 mins. I was thinking with a newborn/young baby who is feeding, how the heck am I going to get dinner on the table.
So, my questions: When did you start cooking for the family again after baby #2 was born? What meals are easiest? What tips can you offer?
Any nannies and carers would love to hear from you too.
Re: @ moms of two, preparing dinner
*lurking* but I used my crock pot a LOT after DS was born while on maternity leave....not sure how popular they are in the UK but I do know my MIL has one
I'd prep the stuff during morning nap and then dinner would be ready when they were in the cranky toddler/hungry newborn stage at dinnertime.
I made a lot of things that you could double to freeze and have later too...stews, chili, meat pies, chicken and dumplings, etc. If you cook a double batch it's not much more prep, but then it's dinner later in the week when you just can't face cooking.
I'm not sure what your views on television are but as a nanny I worked for two families that allowed the children to watch a movie or television during dinner prep. This was the only time the kids watched a movie or TV during the day and it made dinner prep a breeze.
During lunch time, when a movie was not a option I always gave the kids coloring books, play-do (but at their "kids" table), or "quiet" time reading a book while I was making lunch. These children were older though than your children will be.
I briefly nannied for a family with a girl of 9 months and one of three. The 9 month old would play with toys I set up on an area on the floor while I encourged the 3 year old to help me cook. It took a bit longer and was messy, but she really enjoyed it and it kept her from annoying her little sister. This could be option, if your son likes to cook. Obviously it won't work every night, these are nights when crockpots and frozen food are lifesavers
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My situation is different since my kids are older (2 & 4) but cooking dinner is still my WORST part of the day. It has taken me 4 years to get a routine going and still it's not where I want it to be... They drive me nuts at this so called' witching hour'.
When DD2 was an infant I think I just kind of fed her whenever so I could cook quickly, then once she was on solids, she ate with us and I fed her at the same time. I cooked again as soon as I was home & up to it.
I make very easy & simple things. Chicken breast w/ rice and veg. Or pasta. Crockpot things. Ground beef with veg & rice. Soup. I start about 4:30 so diner is done by 5:30. Never anything complicated - except maybe on a weekend when DH is here. I have a little chopper that saves time for chopping pretty much everything. I love one pot meals too!
I meal plan and that helps, knowing exactly what I will be making that night is a big help. Its the nights that I have no idea that are the WORST.
I stocked my freezer and E was born in late Spring so we did a lot of grilling that first summer, which was easy. I kept hamburgers and hotdogs in the freezer, stocked up on baked beans and we had corn on the cob or salads or whatever. It was super simple. Then in the freezer I had like five dozen meatballs (easy to just pull out, throw in the crockpot with a jar of sauce and make spaghetti at the end of the day), a bunch of lasangas, some meatloaves (mix up the meatloaf, form it and freeze it, bake from frozen) and other main dishes so I could just make the sides at night.
I do use my crockpot a lot in winter or I make soups and freeze a portion for later and eat a portion now. I do that a lot with everything actually. I make an extra and stick it in the freezer for later, helps a lot. I also try to have a rotation of easy meals that I don't need a lot of ingredients or time for. I like black bean quesadillas (make a black bean dip/spread and freeze in small portions) - I just put the spread, some cheese and some canned diced tomatoes and corn and sometimes even frozen spinach (though that is easier to hide in the black bean spread for the kids) between two tortillas and bake them for a few minutes. With sour cream to dip its big enough for a meal for us usually. Or frittatas are simple and relatively easy and kid friendly. Chicken legs/drumsticks are easy and cheap and quick compared to most other meats and the kids like them. My kdis like casserole type foods a lot, some don't like things all mixed up but mine are fine with it, so things like chicken pot pies/with biscuits works, pasta and rice bakes are good because you can make it during nap time and then just pop it in the oven later to heat up. I make simple sides, rice, beans, steamed/roasted vegetables. I really try to keep week day meals simple.
eta: my favorite things to keep in the freezer are: curry chicken pot pie (i just put biscuits on top), red beans and rice, meatballs, lasanga (both veggie and meat), vegetable soup (or any kind of soup really), and then I make sure I always have extra frozen veggies and sweet potato fries.