chaos starting this week - how do busy moms do it?

boyohboyohboy wrote: i keep looking at my calander wondering how busy moms with more then one kid in an extra caricular activity do it...
i mean we are going to have two babies under 2 to drag around, and one 5 yr old with school activities and soccer practice once a week, at dinner time of course, and then a game each sat. afternoon.

add church and a wed. bible study group in there, and i just dont know how i am going to find the time to breath..

so how do you do it,
i guess my biggest question is , how do you avoid doing fast food each and every night??!?!?

luvmykids replied: All I can really answer is the dinner question....crockpot, and leftovers. That's the only way I can get a good meal on the table. I also try to make double batches, when I make meatballs, I double it and freeze half. Then when I'm in a pinch all I have to do is cook the pasta, heat up the sauce, and throw a salad together.

Calimama replied: Schedules and quick meals. I started full time school the same week Bella started mommy and me swim class and baby gym, and of course.. DH is gone. I'm making grocery lists during study groups and I'm planning dinners when while I'm in the shower.

A&A'smommy replied: haha I wish I knew I'm not THAT busy and I still don't find myself cooking!!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I'd like to know the answer to that one too!

gr33n3y3z replied: Its hard with 2 try 4 LOL
There are only 2 of us so we had to ship the other 2 with other ppl. and try to make their games and what not it was never easy

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Yeah, I'll answer the dinner question too. For me, what's worked is planning out a menu for the week. I buy all the groceries needed for that full menu so that I don't have to do last minute trips to the store during the week. Saves us money this way too. Having the menu keeps me from throwing in the towel on a busy night and just ordering takeout. If the food is already bought, I would feel guilty spending money on takeout. I also set the table early, like at 2pm when (if) the boys are napping. I am always emptying the dishwasher anyway, so why not place plates on the table while I'm doing it. My DH doesn't care for leftovers, but sometimes I will make a big pot of chili or stew and freeze it for nights I'm really too tired to cook.

momofone replied: I used to cook and freeze on the weekends. Or maybe cook like a big pot of chili and get a couple of nights out of it.

momofone replied: Also thought of frozen foods, pizza's tv dinners etc.

lovemy2 replied:
Yep and like Mon said - crockpot, crockpot, crockpot - I also cook extra chicken on the grill when we are having chicken on the grill and use the extras the next nite for salad....

coasterqueen replied: You lose your sanity! Between work functions, traveling for work, Dh traveling for work, Kylie in pre-K, Kylie in soccer, swimming and art classes, and Megan in gym and art classes I've concluded there's not even enough time for me to breath.

moped replied: You guys are scaring me!!!!!

boyohboyohboy replied:
me too!

luvmykids replied: I got another tip from my grandma today, who had five kids....she said she used to make dinner whenever she could, whether it was 10am or 2pm. If they had to reheat it, fine, but at least it was done.

indywndy_04 replied: I am in the crazy boat! I have 4 kids....2 of which are in activities. My 8 year old plays soccer at the church every week having practice with games on the weekends and my 13 year old daughter is learing English style horse back riding once a week and helps out the stables on the weekends. Me and my husband devide these as needed if we need to be in two places or if one of us just needs a break and stays home with the other 2 kids. Also, whichever one of us is home before each activity, we make sure the kids have food (even if it is just a sandwhich) before they go. Him and I worry about our dinner together later, we take care of the kids first.

That is about all I have to offer.

boyohboyohboy replied:
you know that is one smart woman!
i keep thinking its time to get out of my "box" and start doing things a little unconventional like this!

lisar replied:
Me to and I already have 2 kids. I dont know how I manage but I do.

I cook 5 out of 7 nights a week. Dpending on how much time depends on what I cook. I agree with make a menu and stick to it and buy all the stuff before hand. Makes my life much easier. One meal I cook is mini meatloafs. Take a cupcake pan make your meat loaf and instead of cooking it all at once take a ball and put it in the cupcake pans and cook it that way. Cooks in over half the time and my family loves them. Thats just one way I have found that helps. Lexi also has chores. Mini ones, empty all the trash cans in the bathrooms, get all the dirty laundry and put it in the big basket by the washer those are her chores. And if I dont have time Lexi will clean Raygens room for a couple dollars. I do this atleast once a week.