Dinner is killing me-I need freezer/once a month cooking

[Deleted]

I'd put DD to work on something when you're prepping food. That's the only thing that really works with DS - getting him involved with it. It makes it longer, but at least he's not whining for my attention.

As for OAMC:
www.5dollardinners.com/gluten-free-slow-cooker-freezer-packs-costco-meal-plan/

[Deleted]

Is there a prek or MDO you can enroll her into so you have some time? Maybe an afternoon class since she doesn't nap anyways.

I work outside the home & dinner is a fail like 3 times a week. I make like 2 easy dinners. & we have leftovers the other nights & Fridays we order pizza.

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 11:38:46 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I'd put DD to work on something when you're prepping food. That's the only thing that really works with DS - getting him involved with it. It makes it longer, but at least he's not whining for my attention.

As for OAMC:
www.5dollardinners.com/gluten-free-slow-cooker-freezer-packs-costco-meal-plan/

I was just gonna tag you. You always have the best " Mom" hacks.

[luv2rn4fun]

I made about 10 crockpot freezer meals during pg for the first few weeks. C turned 5 wks on Sunday and we still have 3-4 in the freezer and they have been a lifesaver. So much so that I am making a list to go grocery shopping and prepping more on Friday and this weekend. Basically you buy the ingredients, cut/chop, and place everything in a freezer bag (most require zero cooking ahead of time). When it's time to cook, defrost 24 hr ahead of time and then dump in the crockpot that morning and dinner is done. It took about 4 hrs of prep but has saved a ton of time and logistics.

I have the recipes in a Word document...if you are interested you can PM me with your email address and I can get it to you (or you can probably find them by searching "crockpot freezer meals" on Pinterest. Also, not sure if they are gluten free...

Good luck!

[Deleted]

These were all okay: whoneedsacape.com/2014/02/7-meals-1-hour-slow-cooker-crockpot-freezer-meals/

[greencrayon]

Jan 27, 2015 11:38:46 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I'd put DD to work on something when you're prepping food. That's the only thing that really works with DS - getting him involved with it. It makes it longer, but at least he's not whining for my attention.

As for OAMC:
www.5dollardinners.com/gluten-free-slow-cooker-freezer-packs-costco-meal-plan/

Thank you! You have no idea how much this will help me! 

[mrsGreeko]

TV is our quiet time. An hour or two to get a break won't kill her.

I make double batches of stuff a lot to always have stuff in the freezer for THOSE days.

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 11:51:26 GMT -5 @amydm said:

Jan 27, 2015 11:38:46 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I'd put DD to work on something when you're prepping food. That's the only thing that really works with DS - getting him involved with it. It makes it longer, but at least he's not whining for my attention.

As for OAMC:
www.5dollardinners.com/gluten-free-slow-cooker-freezer-packs-costco-meal-plan/

Like helping in the kitchen? I did get her melissa and doug cutting food out and she did that while I chopped the veggies.

But later I was handling raw chicken and don't want her near that. I also had to wash my hands a MILLION times because I always had to help her with something. And she burnt her arm pretty badly last week when she reached up on a hot cookie sheet to get kale chips.  We have an open floor plan and I have been trying to keep the kids out of the kitchen or at least near the stove when I am cooking.

I have DS cutting mushrooms with a butter knife, tearing up lettuce, measuring and dumping where possible. For real cooking, not pretend toys.

It is hard. We have a tiny kitchen. It's just worked better to involve him than not to, so that's what I do to get my stuff done when he's not napping any more.

[6fsn]

1. Put her to work stirring and cutting whatever she can.
2. It's ok to tell her no. "I can't get you a snack because I'm making dinner."
3. Crockpots and casseroles are my friend because I can prep in the morning.

[soso]

My 4yo likes to sit in the kitchen with me and wash things. I set her up on a bunch of towels, with some soapy water, rags, cups, pitchers and a big dishpan. Then I do my thing and she does hers. I also do more tv than you.

[stealthmom]

Not the point but the next time you put a pot roast in the crockpot put the carrots and potatoes in first. There is no need to make that much work for yourself.

[6fsn]

Jan 27, 2015 11:55:56 GMT -5 @amydm said:

Jan 27, 2015 11:41:46 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

It might be easier to do some of these things with her instead of cooking. Prep the carrots and potatoes this morning then take her to the library. Better yet, let her clip the coupons while you mash the potatoes.

ETA: Clearly I have quote issues. This was in response to what you have left to do this morning.

[stealthmom]

Jan 27, 2015 14:55:23 GMT -5 @amydm said:

Jan 27, 2015 13:08:33 GMT -5 stealthmom said:

Not the point but the next time you put a pot roast in the crockpot put the carrots and potatoes in first. There is no need to make that much work for yourself.

That's what I did last week and it was gross. It's fine for a traditional pot roast but with a balsamic pot roast we much prefer mashed potatoes and roasted carrots.

ok- so the lesson is still not to make things harder on yourself. If traditional pot roast is easier do that. Don't set yourself up for anger and frustration by planning meals that you don't really want to make at the end of the day.

[pugz]

I'm going to PM you a link in a bit. There are freezer meal programs at HyVee and the moms group I'm in has monthly freezer meal workshops at one of the HyVees in Olathe and one in Liberty. Saves a ton of time!

[barefootcontessa]

It sounds like she really needs rest time, so I would lock her in her room and put a potty in there.

[6fsn]

Jan 27, 2015 14:58:22 GMT -5 @amydm said:

Jan 27, 2015 13:14:00 GMT -5 6fsn said:

It might be easier to do some of these things with her instead of cooking. Prep the carrots and potatoes this morning then take her to the library. Better yet, let her clip the coupons while you mash the potatoes.

ETA: Clearly I have quote issues. This was in response to what you have left to do this morning.

We did go to the library because I ran out of time. And she is God awful with scissors, so she can't cut coupons. DS could, but she really can't cut at all.

she is not napping today and I just yelled at her, and we both started crying bc she won't stay in her room. It irrationally pisses me off.

I am just sick of cooking and cleaning in general, though, so that is why I thought freezer cooking might be best for now.

Give her coupons you don't care about so she can practice.  Give her a Swiffer and let her dust. 

Does quiet time have to be in her room?  It sounds like that's just frustrating both of you. I get needing them to be quiet for a minute, but this isn't working and she's only going to nap less.  I don't think dinners is necessarily the issue here.

[GotWine]

We try to do most of the prep work on the weekends then only cook 2 or 3 times a week and have leftovers on the other days. I usually set DD up at the kitchen table with crafts or kinetic sand when I have to get stuff done. Today she made valentines for her cousins while I folded laundry, made lunches and fed DS.

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 15:02:56 GMT -5 pugz said:

I'm going to PM you a link in a bit. There are freezer meal programs at HyVee and the moms group I'm in has monthly freezer meal workshops at one of the HyVees in Olathe and one in Liberty. Saves a ton of time!

Thank you!

[Deleted]

RE: carrots and potatoes with balsamic roast, you can put them in a foil packet and throw it on top in the slow cooker. Not as a "this solves all your problems!", just as a "another trick for the tool kit".

[Deleted]

Also, perhaps you need to send yourself for quiet time? Tell your 4 year old you're sending yourself to your room for half an hour. Set a timer. Refuse to entertain her until your time is up.

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 11:38:46 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I'd put DD to work on something when you're prepping food. That's the only thing that really works with DS - getting him involved with it. It makes it longer, but at least he's not whining for my attention.

As for OAMC:
www.5dollardinners.com/gluten-free-slow-cooker-freezer-packs-costco-meal-plan/

We don't even have a Costco and I ordered the recipes!

Just went to the grocery store for ingredients for two of the chicken meals. Our freezer isn't large enough to hold 20 meals so I'm going to assemble/make two recipes/4 dinners at a time.

Thanks @tokenhoser!

[heygrey]

my go to for easy protein is shredded chicken.

~2.5 lbs of chicken breast (i buy smaller chicken breasts and use 5, my mom buys giant ones from sam's club and uses 3)
2 cups of chicken stock
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

throw it in the crockpot on high for 4 hours.

that's it. i use two forks and gently shred it, but it basically falls apart. we use this for EVERYTHING. wraps, stir fries, salads, on pizza, R eats it plain. i find it so much easier to throw meals together, especially lunches, if i have this in the fridge.

[teatimefor2]

This morning I prepped dinner - winter vegetable soup with homemade bread. Lots of chopped.

I told DS1 that I was starting dinner and he could do X, Y, Z. He picked play dough. It was messy, but we cleaned together. He's 2y3m and I've been saying this since he was 18 months. Rinse and repeat. I am not his sole source of entertainment. During this time, we listened to Spanish music and dang together whilst I bounced the baby in the bouncer.

She's never going to learn to play independently if you don't let her.

I've figured out DS1 is really good in the mornings, but struggles after nap, so I do that the first part of the day.

Rinse and repeat, mommy needs to make dinner. You need to play with your dolls/tea set/cars and mommy will help you when dinner is done. Rinse and repeat.