Motivation to find the time: full-time career with a family

Linzjohnston

andylllI wrote: »

I kind of laugh when I read these threads when busy moms ask for motivation and support and most of the advice takes MORE time out of their already busy schedule.

Hahahahaha, so true!

Linzjohnston

On the crockpot comments, how do you prevent destroying your food? I leave the house at 7am to drop the kids and head to work, I get home from my commute and getting kids from daycare by 5/5:30pm. If I leave the crockpot going that long, even if it switches to warm, the food is either mush or dust.

What are you doing that I'm not?!?! Because so far besides chili or tomato sauce or soup the crockpot destroys my food.

Recipes? Ideas?

youngmomtaz

Get one with a timer. Or, because mine did not have a timer I bought a plug in wall timer that I plug the crock into.

youngmomtaz

You can also start with meat that is frozen. Takes a few hours to actually defrost in there and then it has enough hours left to cook as well. Usually when I do this I just set it to low.

SezxyStef

Linzjohnston wrote: »

On the crockpot comments, how do you prevent destroying your food? I leave the house at 7am to drop the kids and head to work, I get home from my commute and getting kids from daycare by 5/5:30pm. If I leave the crockpot going that long, even if it switches to warm, the food is either mush or dust.

What are you doing that I'm not?!?! Because so far besides chili or tomato sauce or soup the crockpot destroys my food.

Recipes? Ideas?

one with a timer for sure.

Choose recipes that will allow for a longer cooking time.

and yes the frozen meat is great.

I have a great Thai chicken one I can cook on high for 4-5hours but if the meat is frozen it is fine for longer

cut veggies bigger than you normally would as well or just cook the meat in it.

http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/slow-cooker-rotisserie-chicken-recipe/
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/76778/slow-cook-thai-chicken/?internalSource=recipe hub&referringId=1203&referringContentType=recipe hub

Here are two of my faves

jollyjeepers

At my old job I was too tired to keep up the exercise routine or get to the gym and it was a snowball effect. We did have a Nintendo Wii and I started doing WiiFit. If you have some sort of game system that can double as an exercise tool it might be a fun way to involve the whole family. Pit yourself against each other to beat the game of exercise.

Hope this helps!

almostanangel21

One alternative to the crockpot: freezer meals. (I don't have kids, but I've been working/in school for a while now.) I don't eat different things than my husband; instead, I cruise Pinterest and Eating Well for new recipes that we'll both like. I know that's harder with kids, but it's probably better for them to start learning to like healthy food early on. Anyway - when I find something that works for both of us, I double up when I prep the next round. One gets cooked, the other goes in the freezer, it doesn't take an appreciable amount of extra time, and I've got healthy "mulligans" for finals week or when I have a big paper due. This works really well with recipes that require a marinade.

DawnieB1977

I'm a teacher and I have 3 young kids (age 7, 5 and 2) and my husband does shift work. It's definitely difficult, but it is do-able!

When my husband is on early shift (he leaves at 5am and gets home about 2:30) I can go to the gym in the evening, so I like this week! When he's on late shift (he leaves around 1pm and gets home around 11pm) I go to the gym for 6:30, when it opens, then shower there and go straight to work as he gets the kids ready and takes them to school/nursery.

I'm excited that I finish tomorrow for the Summer holidays (I'm in England) so I have 6 weeks of having more freedom to go to the gym.

Food-wise I stick to easy things, such as chicken or fish and veg, or stir fry, or omelette. The kids usually eat what we do, although sometimes they might have a lighter dinner as they eat a meal at school. I always take lunch to work, either a salad or wrap (chicken/prawns/feta/tuna etc) or sometimes a protein smoothie.

DawnieB1977

P.S My kids are incredibly active! We live by the sea and I expect I'll spend the next 6 weeks chasing them on their scooters! Even on days we stay at home (very rare!) I do at least 5000 steps just chasing them about inside lol.

Linzjohnston

BZAH10 wrote: »

" a week with a sick kid, swimming lessons, school functions, etc., which throws everything for a loop." - I'd say that with young kids this is actually your NORM instead of things that throw you off. I believe in making a plan, but with flexibility and lots of "Plan B" options available.

It can all seem overwhelming so what I finally learned after years of struggling that it's best to get my diet and nutrition in order so that I don't have to rely on exercise and time-consuming workouts to lose weight and maintain. This takes a huge burden off. Sure, exercise is great for your health and helps relieve stress, but if you're so tired that your workouts are suffering then focus on your calorie intake. Make sure you are properly fueled, hydrated and rested and get your priorities in order so that you don't feel spread too thin.

Surprisingly, kids grow up fast. It won't be like this forever. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires constant evaluation and adjusting to accommodate for all of life's changes.

Seriously, THANK YOU for this!! Thinking of this chaos as the new norm makes sense, big eye opener. But you're right, it should be my norm.

Heartisalonelyhunter

Oh I do feel for you. There's just no time with kids and a career. People who stay home with the kids just don't get that (I have done both).
My advice would be take your kids to a trampoline place or swimming at the weekend. You can really get a work out (although swimming will require 2 adults with a 3 year old).
Don't beat yourself up to much. There are only so many hours in the day. My kids mostly eat different things than me because they dont like the stuff I like and I hate chicken nuggets/Mac n cheese! They don't even notice what I eat, to be honest.
I will say that your eldest is at the sweet spot. All my kids got so much easier after that age in terms of entertaining themselves (and younger siblings). So hang in there!