Working Moms - How do you do it?

avskk

Honestly, I cook Crockpot dinners 90% of the time. I'm a single mom, I work two jobs for a combined total of 60 hours a week, and I'm taking social work classes. The only way I get a decent dinner on the table is to a) plan exactly what I want to make for the week/month, b) shop accordingly, and c) throw a meal in the Crockpot every other morning.

I make about seven different recipes through an average month and we cycle through them slowly. My routine is something like Crockpot Monday morning for dinner that night, leftovers Tuesday night and freeze the remainder, Crockpot again Wednesday morning, leftovers and freezing on Thursday, cook something on the actual stove on Friday night, use up frozen leftovers on the weekend, repeat. It means I'm spending minimal time cooking, we get a wide variety of healthy meals as we cycle through the month, and I don't have to worry or exhaust myself over the stove at 9PM.

superhockeymom

This is so me the first time around gained 60plus pounds had my adorable bundle of joy figured the weight would go away quick after all it went on quick. Nope. Time was an issue I also worked full time with a 45 min commute each way. Was a walking zombie most of the time. My husband works odd hours was gone at least 2 nights a week. I took the advise of a friend and hired a neighborhood girl to just watch the baby while I was home making supper and lunches for the next day. Saved me and also I had extra time because I did not have to stop all the time and was less distracted and I would take him for a walk. As he got older I would have her stay an extra 15 min while I worked out. She loved it my son was gone and I was always there.

spatulamom

My kid is older than yours so that makes it easier probably (also, my husband works a late shift, so I don't have to worry about getting dinner on the table for him - or vice versa, as the case may be). We usually have activities going on, so I'm trying freezer meals this year (my SIL sells Wildtree, so we've done that for the first time). It usually takes me between 20 and 30 minutes to get a meal on the table. I put all of the recipes into the recipe builder when we had the workshop, so I already have the calorie counts. There are plenty of freezer meal tutorials on the web, and a few hours on Sunday will get you prepped for awhile.

If you have your own office, you can run in place for exercise. I try to get at least 5000 steps at the office and it's been a big help since I have a hard time getting to the gym.

I remember those early hectic days. They're tough, but once you find a way to work everything in, it'll get easier!