Not Enough Time Anymore ...

Hi M.,
What about taking one or two days a month and precooking a bunch of dinners (in disposable pans)and tossing them into the freezer? I don't know about you, but there is nothing better than an already made, toss it in the oven kind of day. I hope things ease up for you soon! ~K.

M.,

A very easy crock pot dinner is to put a roast in a crock pot. Put carrots and little red potatoes underneath the roast. Put one package of onion soup mix along with one can of cream of mushroom soup on top of the roast. Put it on low if you start it in the morning and it will be done by dinner time. It is delicious! You can also put this in a 9x13 pan and put it in the oven and put aluminum foil on top of the pan. Put it on a low setting and let it cook all day.

I hope this helps!

Sue

Get a crock pot and a book of slow-cooker recipes and have at it! You can set it in the morning and come home to a meal:)

Try kraftfoods.com. They have AMAZING recipes that are so quick and easy to make. They taste really good too. I know some people will take one day of the week and cook all the meals for that week. You can freeze them, then they are ready for whenever you want them. The crock pot is great too. You can make almost anything in it. I've even made things the night before, stuck them in the fridge, then tossed it in the crock first thing in the morning. Just set it on low, then it's ready at dinner time. If you're taking the time to go out to a restaurant, you have enough time to cook a quick dinner. Casseroles are great too. Easy to throw together, then pop in the oven. Soups are something else that's easy and quick. Your oldest can keep and eye on the casserole or soup while you get a little work done.
I don't know about you, but I'm terrible at budgeting my time. If you don't have one, perhaps a written schedule would help.

Hi M.. I can relate to your life! I have 4 little ones, and up until a few months ago, also worked. Taking care of them, your husband, and your job can be overwhelming. Ive learned over the past few months that the expectations that we as moms put on ourselves can drive you insane! Try not to feel guilty about what you need to do to get through the days. YOu have a full plate and life isnt going to be perfect, easy or full of flowers all the time! ha! I would just embrace that.
The only tips I have for you, that seemed to work for me, is on Sunday or Saturday try and take a couple hours to plan and pre-make some of your meals for the week. Throw them into containers that you can freeze. Set up a day or two for crock-pot meals that you can just turn on and leave. Have a day for leftovers and a day for pizza. Have the kids help. Even if its something small they do, its time together and its help for you and them. I always felt like if at least my meals were planned and together, it took some stress of the day.
I also worked from home, so I had a cut off time every night that was "mommy time". I always told them that I was taking the mommy hat off. Lets say at 7:00, after dinner is done and cleaned up, thats your time to sit and work and do what you need to do. Have a plan for what they need to be doing... maybe its their own homework or if thats done, its quiet time like watching a little tv, or something. I know you have some extra challenges and it wont be that simple every night. But cut yourself some slack. You will get through all of this!

My mother was a SAHM for a long time, then went back to work after all us kids were in school full-time. She went back to teaching, then had to take more classes to get re-certified too. I was about 15 when this was all going on.

Not trying to sounds heartless, but when your 15 year old gets a drivers license, then that child can help run errands to the store.

One thing I've done is, if I'm going to be browning meat to make spaghetti, it's just as easy to brown 2 pounds in the same pan as 1 pound, then have 2 pots on the stove - 1 for chili, one for spaghetti sauce. Those can freeze easily.

There's a casserole that Paula Deen makes with the meat from a rotisserie chicken, 2 cans of cream of something soup, shredded cheddar (or some other kind of cheese), 3/4 cup of liquid (water or chicken stock or chicken broth), pour into a casserole dish, top with stuffing and melted butter (she actually tops with more cheese, but I like the crunch from the stuffing), and cook at 350 for about 35 minutes or until completely hot throughout (since the meat is already cooked before you start, you don't have to worry about undercooking it).

When you go to the store, they already sell shredded carrots, diced onions, etc., so take advantage of that too. Those rotisserie chickens are pretty good too.

There are things we get at Sam's - they have a thing called "click-n-pull" where you can place an order online, then go to the Sam's club you designate, and they'll have it all ready for you - just grab the cart, and go pay.

There are places where "kids eat free" on certain nights, or like Chik-fil-a, where they have "buy one kids meal get one free" nights - make sure you go on those nights to those places that you like that have such deals. First night I did that with my 5 year old at Chik-fil-a, We both ate for less than $4.00!! They also had a night where if you came in on a specific night, you keep the receipt from that visit, then come in anytime the next month, and get the same thing FREE. If our family goes, it's usually a $15-18 visit, so that was cool!

Some restaurants have a thing where you can put in your email to get "special deals". If you do that, I would set up a Yahoo email account JUST for places where you put in your email address. That way they won't all come in to your primary email account and you can go look at any of the deals when you want to.

Just a few thoughts - for what it's worth....and good luck!

Hi M..... I too am pressed for time even though I work from home. Crock Pot meals!! They are easy and can cook during the day without any help/attention from you! Everything can be cooked in a crock pot these day from Sloppy Joes, Roast, Chicken and Ribs. Banquet also makes the ones that already have everything in the bag all you do is put it in the crock pot and they are GOOD! Hope this gives you some ideas! GOOD LUCK!!!

I think I can help with the dinner thing. Take a saturday afternoon, mix up several casseroles and stick them in the freezer with baking instructions on top. Then who ever gets home first can turn on the oven and pop it in. I bet even the 12 year old can do that. Open a bag of prepared salad and you've got a meal. Kraft has some great easy casserole recipes on line. Also, there is nothing wrong with having scrambled eggs and toast for dinner! It's fast and if you add a citrus salad (found in the grocery refrigerated area of the produce section) you have a pretty balanced meal. good luck.

WOW this sounds like something I could have written in the past.
I found crock pots to be WONDERFUL!
It only takes a few minutes to get the stuff together and put it on slow. It makes coming home smell so wonderful!
My friend said she made casseroles and froze them and all her hubby had to do was put them in the oven to warm. I found I did not have enough space in the freezer, but she swears by it.
KEEP up the good work
I have a friend whose children are bi-polar and Aspergers it takes a lot of energy. Join a support group ( I know you are swamped but the support can make a real diff)

The part time job: have you compared the cost of eating out to the pay you receive for the part time job? In your case, time is money. Sounds like you can drop the part time job.

Been there done that. I worked full time and consistently took classes with two children. However, we ate healthy at home.

Use that crockpot as suggested. I still like those frozen chicken tenders in a poly bag from Giant Eagle. They cook on a stove top in about 20 minutes I served Lipton side dishes which cooked up in 8 minutes. Stove Top Stuffing is done in 5 minutes. Uncle Bens and Zatarins have rice that microwaves in a poly bag for about a minute. However, I pefer the boxed rice. Microwave frozen vegetables. Hit the Nestle Foods/Stouffer's outlet on Harper Road in Solon for frozen Lasagna, French Bread Pizza and other side dishes.

Check out Foodnetwork.com. Watch Semi Home Made with Sandra Lee and Paula Deen has her own show. If you don't have cable, then you can rake out the recipes on line. It's better to eat at home where you can keep the fat content and the cost down.

I also enjoy an occasional stromboli sandwich from Romano's Marketplace in North Royalton. They will slice it up for you. Sam's Club has whole chickens that that they roast for $5 and you don't have to clean the oven out afterwards. Takeout food does NOT have to come from a greasy fast food joint or a restaurant.

Keep fresh fruit in the house in easy reach such as apples, bananas and oranges. Wash up and dry celery and those baby carrots than come in the 16 oz poly bag. These can be good healthy quick items.

Your children are old enough to help you. Being active in the kitchen can be a good learning experience for them and develop skills that last a life time. 'Best Dishes'

You need to get your prorities straight. Your husband has a full time job, you have a full time job. You are going to school online and you have a part time job from home. Does your husband have a part time job too? You have 3 children at ages when they need to be involved in activities outside of the house and need transportation to these activities and some assistance with life crisis that only teenagers experience. They help where they can???? You have bitten off more than any one human can chew. Have your husband take over the part time job from home if your budget just demands the income.
The money you could save by preparing crock pot meals in a slow cooker would be massive. A lot of meals can be fixed in the microwave as well, I do chicken in the microwave a lot. It takes a total of fifteen minutes to cook the chicken in the microwave and during that time the rice, spag. noodles etc. can be cooked on the stove and the sauce heated as well. A child can do it. Total cost for chicken/broccoli alfredo at home $10.00 less than it costs to feed 3 people at McDonalds and you can add tomato to it for less than anothe $2.00. So it would be $12.00 for dinner and done and on the table in 20 minutes. You didn't spend any money on gas to go out and I am sure saved at least $10.00 on the dinner bill. With that $10.00 you can purchase two bags of a slow cooker dinner for the next night and have beef stew, etc. For $9.00 you can get two packages of Three cheese chicken and garlic with noodles, for another $2.00 purchase a bag of salad and for $2.00 a bottle of salad dressing. Dinner for $13.00 and one the table in 1/2 an hour. If you shop at places like Aldi and SuperStores the cost could be even less. Saving $10.00 a night is $70.00 a week plus the gas money spent to go out. That is $280.00 every 4 weeks just on the food bill.
You have to set aside one day a week minimum to spend with your family. I suggest it be Saturday or Sunday. On this day you do not take classes on line, you do not work a part time job which is being turned over to your husband. On this day none of you touch a computer or a video game. You work and play together. You will be a much healthier, happier, family if you do this. The children will be gone one day, all of this time you have spent working two jobs and going to school are separating you from their lives and this is time that will never be regained. If you lose their confidence and their willingness to share with you now you will never get it back. They will not be a part of your lives once they leave your home if it isn't convenient and it won't be for them because they will be busy working, going to school etc and not have time for you ever. Think it over.

Lots of good suggestions on time management. But, I would really re-evaluate your priorities. Being a homemaker is also a fulltime job, so you really are trying to do 3 jobs! I would questions whether you need the parttime job and if perhaps you should put your classes on hold for a while. Your kids are at prime ages where they need a lot of supervision and you could teach them how to help around the house before tackling your classes...especially with the emotional and health issues you've mentioned.

I'm not against working moms, but I really think you have taken on more than is humanly possible for you to do right now. Plus, if money is an issue, you'll be able to manage it better and cut costs if you have more time at home to control it. There are always ways to manage your time better, but it sounds as if you are always going to feel the crunch, so maybe a look at why you are doing all this is in order.

Best to you!!!

Hello, my heart goes out to you. It's time for some of the children to start to learn to cook. My 6 yr old that is legally blind can cook. And then, if you have not taken a course from your online school called "Strategies For Success" please do so! That has changed my whole life. Then I would get some respite in for your special needs children. It's not a crime to take a break. It's a crime to NOT take a break before you have a breakdown. Also, I don't know where you live at per state; however, if you live in Ohio there is a program known as the Ohio Waiver Program that your Aspergers child may qualify for and one may receive home health aide, and anything you may need for your child paid for. It's worth checking into.
Then go online to MR/DD.gov in your state or go to your local MR/DD and they can give your a website for MR/DD and there are more programs out there then a family gets told about. Time to research.
Then I would seriously have a chore chart and EVERYONE would help in house cleaning! Please feel free to privately email me if you want to chat further. I have been there with 3 special needs sons and one has recently passed away. There is help out there. You are not alone.

Buy and use a slow cooker! It saves tons of money because dinner is ready when you get home and you don't have to go out to eat. There are hundreds/thousands of recipes that take just 5-10 minutes to toss everything into it then you set it on low and leave for the day. Dinner is hot and ready when you walk in the door. Many recipes can be put into the slow cooker the night before and stashed in the fridge at night so all you need to do during the hectic morning is put the crock into the slow cooker and turn it on. Can't get much easier than that!

Search online for recipes - cooks.com, allrecipes.com, etc. Or browse a bookstore or bn.com or amazon.com or half.com for slow cooker cookbooks. Or just experiment and come up with your own.

M....I have the same problem. Try to plan meals ahead and stock up when you grocery shop. I use the slow cooker a lot. Then the meal is ready no matter what time you eat.
Stir fry is easy and fast. Maybe the 15 yr old can also learn to cook and do household chores.
I think that's about the only thing you really have control of with your time. Meetings and school are set times, etc. Eating out wastes an hour or more. Good luck...M. B.

Have you considered doing CrockPot slow cooker meals? For most of them you just throw the ingredients in the pot in the morning and turn it on. Much better than fast food. Or set aside some time (I know, it's hard) and make a bunch of meals at once and freeze them. Then thaw ahead of time and pop in the oven. That's the principle that places like My Girlfriend's Kitchen, etc. run on. Also, a thought is that the 15 yo could do some cooking... I don't know if s/he has lots of extracurriculars or anything after school... but s/he should definitely be able to follow recipes and help you out. It's good training!

Also, I have found that planning out the menu for the week makes everytihng so much easier: grocery shopping, since I know just what I need to buy, and then the day of b/c I am not thinking " man, what am I gonna make for dinner?" Because I already know. Just a thought that may help you.

Another time saver I have found is if the recipe calls for chopped veg. ingredients, I go ahead and buy them chopped if I can. Did you know that there are frozen already chopped onions and green peppers in the freezer section?? I was so happy to discover that since my eyes water horribly when cutting onions!!

Good luck!!

Just a few suggestions. After I had my baby, women from my church brought me dinner for the whole family once a week for a few weeks. See if your church has a similar operation(if you have a church) Or ask a really close friend to make dinner once a week in exchange for a meal on a less hectic day or baby sitting.(Whatever you have to offer these are just suggestions to build on) Also, Crock Pot meals are always an option. Organize your pantry into different meals and any given day just have someone put the ingredients in before work or school and Voila. Warm meal when everyone gets home. Many people would suggest cooking a weeks worth of meals ahead of time. I hope things work out.

Sounds like you have your hands full. I have a few suggestions for some help with time management to make sure that your family gets to have a nice meal together. If you have a crock pot those are great. You can take a couple minutes the night before to throw everything together and put it in the fridge. Then you can just turn it on in the morning on your way out the door. Also, I'm sure you get a day off from the full time job. You could cook a couple meals up then and freeze them. Then all they have to do is be reheated. This way your hubby and your 15 year old can help get dinner on the table some days and your family will be able to sit down to dinner with a home cooked meal. Also, I think you're overlooking something important. Your family doesn't need a great homecooked meal to sit down together and have conversation. Bring home a bucket of chicken and some sides and gather at the table for that. What you eat is important BUT quality time is too. There are also a large variety of already cooked, heat and eat kind of meals out there that are better than fast food. Quick and easy and relatively healthy. The benefit of doing schooling from home and working part time from home is that you set your own schedule to a point. If you look closely there is usually a little wiggle room. I'm sure it's hard to see because you're stressed but I'll bet it's there. Good luck!

Crock pot meals!!!! or one dish Bisquick meals!!!!!! What I've heard some people do, is make these things ahead for up to a week, and put them in the freezer and then wait until that day to bake them.
There is also the 4 ingredient cookbook. NONE of the recipes are more than 4 ingredients.

Here is easy fast chicken---- spray your corning ware dish, place the uncooked chicken in it and cover with whatever salad dressing (ranch or french) you want, and then bake at 350 for up to one hour. It'll taste like you marinated it for days.

Get a crockpot.... you will FALL IN LOVE!!!! One thing that I do that my family LOVES is mock lasagna.
Get all your ingredients that you would use in regular lasagna (cheese, meat, noodles, sauce, I use spinach). Break the noodles into about 2inch pieces and precook them for about 5min, they don't need to be done, they will finish in the crockpot.
Cook your meat, mix the cheese (I use 1lb of mozzarella, 2 big tubs of cottage cheese, 1-2 eggs to thicken it up). Put some of your sauce in the bottom of the crockpot (mix some with the noodles to keep them from sticking together) and then layer the pasta, meat and cheese till you fill the crockpot up. End with a layer of sauce and a layer of cheese on top then let it cook for 1-2hrs till its bubbly in the middle.
My family LOVES this and I make it about two to three times a month just because it is so easy. Throw in a pre-bagged salad and a box of garlic bread from the freezer and you have a full meal that took about 30-40min of total prep time.

love black beans because they're quick, easy, and nutritious!

i make nachos:
chips, cheese, can of black beans (drained) and other stuff if i have it like tomatoes/olives/chives. put them in the oven till the cheese melts and the chips are toasty.

or burritos:
heat black beans, put tortillas in foil for 10 minutes in a warm oven (300), and wrap em up with cheese, lettuce, salsa, etc.

or tostadas:
mash beans (i like pinto for these)(or save a step and use refried--more fat though) and spread on corn tortillas. top with cheese, and cook on a warm griddle until cheese melts and beans are warm, then top with lettuce, tomatoes, and salsa.

quesadillas:
cheese and beans in a tortilla, heat in griddle, sandwich maker, or microwave until cheese melts. serve with salsa or sour cream.

all of these take about 10 minutes, and are more or less variations on the same theme. easy, yummy, cheap, healthy... serve any of these with a bagged salad and you've got a meal!

you sure do have too much on your plate!

I suggest trying almost prepared foods... throw a ham in the oven with some already peeled potatoes and breen beans... it is excellent! There are so many more things at the store that are almost prepared... also you can search the internet for SuperSuppers! They have stores all over and they have food already prepared in 3-portion sizes and all you do is heat and eat! Anything you PREPARE @ HOME will give you more time there to get things done! I know going out to eat is nice and easier... but it does take time, also...

Let me know what you find and do

I would suggest that you get a nice crockpot and plan meals that you can put in before you go to work and that will be ready at dinnertime.
Here is one recipe that is very tasty.
Put in some cut up beef chuck. (Buy a chuck roast and cut it up yourself.)
Sprinkle on an envelope of onion soup mix.
Add a can of condensed mushroom soup or celery soup and about 1/2 cup water or beef broth.
Cook on low all day in your crockpot.
Serve this mixed with noodles or over rice, and a salad or vegetables on the side.
You don't even have to brown the meat first!
So easy and good!

I am not going to pretend to have as busy a schedule as you do because I don't but here is what helps me for meal planning. I keep a calendar of meals and I try to plan a week in advance and do all the grocery planning and shopping from that list. I try to make things that will either give me leftovers for lunch or another dinner for the week. Great things to try are soups, pasta dishes, and things that can be easily doubled. I am not big on freezing because I don't have a large freezer but it would be a good idea if you have the space. A great resource for me as been the magazine Everyday Food, you can access them online as well but a yrs subscription will give you tons of ideas and sometimes it is less overwhelming to look through a magazine instead of a whole web database. The ideas in the magazine are quick and easy but really good. I love to cook good food and this magazine has given me ideas on how to do that both easily and on a budget. I use very little pre-prepped food and also try to have things on hand like eggs, bread, and breakfast meats that can be easily turned into dinner in a pinch. All of this reminds me that I need to update my menu calendar and keep planning ahead. Oh and keep the menu calendars from past months because when you are thinking of what to plan in the weeks ahead you can refer back to what you have done in the past.

Man! Not sure how you are even managing. That really is sooooo much! I work full time and am a mother of one infant. I feel busy enough. Anyway, you asked for any suggestions. I have one, so I wanted to share it with you. I don't know if you have any free days/hours each week? If so, you could cook large amounts of stuff and either freeze stuff or just have it for throughout the week. For example, I have often made a large casserole dish of veggie or spinach lasagna (and I add ground turkey or ground chuck) and frozen that for up to a couple of months. I just have my husband get it in the oven about an hour before I get home. I have found that soups are awesome - they're pretty easy, make a lot, and are so delicious... I also don't know what I'd do without my breadmaker. That is a huge help. Easy enough for your 15yo probably to put ingredients in ahead of time... Whole wheat pizza dough within an hour... Otherwise it's nice to always have those quick but not bad for you items on hand - frozen fish (i.e. salmon is sooo great!), boca burgers and even boca chicken patties, and the frozen pizza w/ whole wheat crust and veggies. They're not cheap, but much cheaper than eating out. I hope that helps a little!

SO with you on this M., so I'll keep it short.
Pick up a copy of a Desperation Dinners cookbook by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross (you can get a used one for 44-cents on Amazon.com).
All the recipes are 20 mins or less - I know, I use them!
The great part is they teach you how to stock your pantry - a big money saver! Follow that and you'll be in the store less often and using lists to avoid impulse spending.

Good luck!
S.

Check out www.Flylady.com she does an excellent job of teaching you how to manage a busy life.

Hi, M.! I commend you for all the work you are doing! Two jobs? School? Family? That's a ton! I just started working this week, and it's been tough!! My suggestion for dinners... the crock pot! Get yourself some crock pot recipes and you're all set! That's what I've done this week, and it's been great. By the time I get home, it's almost 6:00, but dinner is pretty much ready and waiting for us! Be sure to give yourself family time and time for just yourself. I know what you're saying... "when can I do all that?" Remember that your kids are only kids for a short time. Don't miss out on it! Best wishes!

I'm in the same boat like you! Working from home almost full time, taking care of the house and the kids and I have 3 kids ages 6, 4, and 2. Being self employed, I have to squeeze in work anytime I could have free time. Something that has been a lifesaver is Dream Dinners. You go to this place and prepare all of your meals for the month in about 2 hours. Then your go home and freeze them. Most of them you just pull them out of the freezer and bake them. I just grab 2 trays (dinner & lunch) per day and make a side dish for each. Some places have other companies similar to Dream Dinners. The things is that once you get the hang of it, you can make your own meals one weekend a month and freeze them. There are many cookbooks with recipes for freezing meals.
Regarding home and work, I try to minimize any housework. If you get to the point were you just maintain... Our kids have a playroom and we ask them to keep all toys there. Any toys that come out need to be put away at the end of the day. We keep just a couple of toys in their room so they can stay organized (and concentrate the mess in just one room, the playroom, so it's easier to pick up). All the kids have 1 or 2 easy chores. Like, my 4 year old takes care of using a small rechargeable vacuum to for the stairs and our kitchen rug. Our 6 year old helps sorting clean laundry. And everybody helps putting away their clothes. My husband loads and unloads the dishwasher. I think little things really help when they're shared. I do all the house cleaning once a week but do a 5 minute pick up and straightening every night and in the morning. And during the afternoon, I try to minimize distractions as well so I can finish work faster. I only buy snacks that the kids can get themselves, like fruit, yogurt, cereal, string cheese and they all have a cup they can refill with water. So by minimizing housework and maximizing productivity, I get more done and I get to spend more time with the kids :) I hope this helps!

Hi M.,

Growing up, my mom was a single parent that worked a full and part time job and went to school! I think the one thing that saved her sanity was freezing meals. She would spend Sunday afternoon (the only full day she had off) and make a bunch of meals then put them in our freezer in the basement. She would make lasagna, breaded chicken or veal, pork chops, meat loaf, whatever. That way, it was easy to get the main dish ready at dinner time and the sides only took a couple minutes. And it was something we could do on our own to help her out since popping something in the microwave to defrost is a piece of cake. We could also help with the sides because those were also no-brainers. Hope this helps! Good Luck!