Dinner time?

Silver Member Joined: Nov 18 2007 Posts: 944

I'm trying to figure out when I should start making dinner so that it's ready when my dh comes home from work at 6:30. I also have a very active toddler which makes things a bit more challenging. When do you prepare your dinner and how do you manage with your little ones around?

Posted: Fri, Apr 30 2010, 12:44 am Post subject: re: Dinner time?

I find using the crockpot very convenient. Depending on when your baby naps, you can put the food up then and it will be ready when DH comes home, as most things usually cook for 4 hours on high.

Posted: Fri, Apr 30 2010, 12:54 am Post subject: re: Dinner time?

Prepare the food ready and raw in a pan the day before.
Place supper in the oven.
Set the timer, and forget about it until the timer beeps.
Take care of the kids and the house in the meantime.

(If you can prepare all the dishes raw and ready in the freezer for the entire week ahead of time, that is ideal.)

And use the crockpot for days when you know you won't even have time for the oven. (Also prepare it raw and ready in the crock and place it in the fridge the night before. Then place crock in crockpot holder and turn it on in the morning.)
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Really Awesome Mom!

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 11 2010 Posts: 3094

Posted: Fri, Apr 30 2010, 11:58 am Post subject: re: Dinner time?

My 2-year-old naps in the afternoon so I try to get supper done before she wakes up. Otherwise it's waaahhh....once she gets up it's no picnic!
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Chayalle

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 17 2008 Posts: 3561

Can you make it a fun activity for your toddler? For example, your toddler might be able to mix something. Or, if you are making something that parts of it can be eaten raw, you can give your toddler some as you're preparing it. For example, if you're cutting up tomatoes for a salad or already made noodles for a pasta dish, she can snack on them while you're making everything else.

Also, if there's something that has to be done right before serving it, I have stopped trying to get it done before dh comes home. Instead, I hand ds over to dh as soon as he comes in, and they get some playtime in while I do last-minute things. That's also the time when I set the table, although I prefer to do it earlier in the day if possible.

Silver Member Joined: Nov 18 2007 Posts: 944

Thanks for all the great advice.

I stilll have two questions though.

I like to use the stovetop when I cook, is there a way to do such, or do I have to resign to using the crockpot/oven every night?

When do you feed your toddler supper (maybe this should be a separate question?)? I feel like I'm never on time to feed anyone anymore! Banging head

Posted: Thu, May 06 2010, 11:01 pm Post subject: Re: re: Dinner time?

Posted: Fri, May 07 2010, 1:27 am Post subject: re: Dinner time?

You should know the previous day what you plan on serving, then give your toddler some crayons and a piece of paper or a tricycle and get to work. It's not a big deal when you're prepared.
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Posted: Fri, May 07 2010, 1:30 am Post subject:

I try and get dinner made when my boys nap - anywhere between 1 and 4 p.m.

If I'm making something that really is better fresh rather than reheated, my husband calls when he leaves to office so I have at least an hour (and he leaves after the boys are in bed for the night).
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