FTWMs- how do you find time to cook?

I have never really gotten into the practice of cooking family meals, because my husband works afternoons/nights and we very very rarely have the chance to eat together. We have 2 boys, a 2.5 yo and a 9 month old. Now that they are getting older, we want to get more in the habit of doing family dinners, and my husband is going to arrange his schedule as best he can to be available then. So right now, I get home from work around 3:30, nurse the baby and put him down for a nap, then hang out with my 2yo, get him a snack, and before I know it, the baby is up and I need to get dinner for him and my 2yo. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking that maybe I should be making dinner while the baby is napping. My 2yo will definitely want to be involved. Does this work for anyone? Allowing your toddler to help out? TIA!

Re: FTWMs- how do you find time to cook?

I get home at 3:30 as well. DH and I plan a menu for the week which includes a lot of two day meals so I don't have to cook every night. I choose things hat don't have too much prep work. I also grocery shop once a week so that helps with the routine. I'll do chicken cutlet one night and then the next night I'll throw some sauce and cheese on them and have chicken parm. Meatloafs, pastas, tacos, fajitas, all make great two day meals. DS is 18 months so do everything while he is playing fit next to me (or emptying my Tupperware drawer lol)

Message edited 9/1/2012 11:29:39 AM.

Re: FTWMs- how do you find time to cook?

I have a 2-year-old. Nobody gets home before 6pm during the work week. I make a week's menu before we do the grocery shopping and all of our weekday meals take 30 minutes or less to prepare.

If I'm not working late: 6pm, everyone gets home. Someone plays with DD or she plays by herself while the other cooks.

If I am working late (which is often): 6pm, DH & DD get home. He cooks while she plays.

If you're home at 3:30 and the little one is napping, make dinner while you can! Tasks for the 2-year-old - throwing out vegetable peels, wiping down the floor, "washing" dishes, setting the table. You can also try to do some meals he can really get into, like homemade pizza! Just chop up the toppings and he can do the work.

Re: FTWMs- how do you find time to cook?

I try to do a lot of cooking over the weekend...usually I will make 2 things (a pot of chili, soup, a casserole, pasta, etc) and have them 2 nights each. Usually Fridays I make pizza because it doesn't take too long, or we order out.

As far as toddler helping out, yes!!! DD is 25 months and loves to help me cook!

Re: FTWMs- how do you find time to cook?

I try to do as much prep work as I can over the weekend. I prep veggies and store them in ziploc bags. I make sure I have everything I need ready to go so there are no last minute trips to the store. And then I do have my 3 year old help me "make" the meal. It works best for meals that he finds fun like pizza or mixing sauces.

Re: FTWMs- how do you find time to cook?

umm, I would love to know...bc I get home at 6:30pm.

Re: FTWMs- how do you find time to cook?

-cooking on weekend helps a lot-and enough to freeze
-prepping chopped stuff (like vegetables) in the morning or night before
-cooking casseroles (all one dish!)
-crockpot (LOVE it!)

Re: FTWMs- how do you find time to cook?

By the time I get home from picking up DD it's around 4:30. Honestly, I usually give her a snack and put her in her high chair with an episode of a show she likes on the ipad and cook while she quietly watches the show. I hate having her sit there watching tv, but it has to be done. She's starting to like going in her room and playing by herself, and it is right next to our kitchen so I let her do that too sometimes. But I'm with everyone else on the easy meals and things that last two dinners.