Is school really just around the corner? You know what that means - early
morning scrambles, after-school tizzies and ragged nerves at dinnertime.
It's still possible to have pleasant family mealtimes even after school has
begun. Check out these back-to-school dinner tips for busy Moms:
1. Have a meal plan
The most important key to having relaxed family dinners even on school nights is
having a meal plan. This will simplify both food shopping and meal preparation,
and help you save money to boot.
Cut down on cooking time by cooking large batches and then freezing them for
future use.
3. Simplify your schedule
With school comes extracurricular activities that could have you running - or
driving around - like a headless chicken. Keep things to a minimum. Overloading
children with too many after-school activities is not good for them. They need
downtime too.
4. Get the kids involved in cooking
Get some help by mobilizing your own troops - your husband and children - as
your kitchen helpers. Cooking is an important life skill and now it's bonding
time as well.
5. Have an emergency plan
No matter how well you plan in advance, something always comes up. Plan for that
as well. Always have emergency supplies in the pantry so you can throw together
a home-cooked meal at a moment's notice.
It could be a frozen dinner you prepared during the weekend. Mine is pasta, a
can of tomato sauce and whatever vegetables are in the refrigerator.
6. Post your family schedule
Keep a large calendar on the wall where you can see every family member's
schedule at a glance. It will also help you plan activities around your family
dinner times.
7. Set a routine
Decide on an earlier dinner time, bedtime and wake up time and start following
them a few days before school officially begins. This way, everybody's adjusted
when the real thing comes.
8. Stay flexible
Sometimes you just can't afford disruptions to your meal times. An occasional
missed family dinner is no big deal - when you know you'll have more throughout
the week.
9. Consider school schedules
Take note of school events and other activities in your family calendar - so you
can plan your family dinners with them in mind.
10. Cook once, eat twice
Every so often, cook a double batch of meals that can easily be transformed into
another entree or side dish. For example, roast 2 chickens. Have one for
tonight's dinner. Chop up the other for chicken salad for later in the week.
11. Organize your kitchen
If you haven't done so yet, now's the time to take stock of your kitchen. Make
sure the items you use most often are accessible from your food prep area.
Replace the tools that are broken, and get those gadgets that will help you get
dinner ready faster.
12. Have a special meal
Make Friday night Teen's night - which means they plan and prepare the meal.
That is, if you have teens or any child old enough to prepare meals. They'll
learn how to cook, you get the night off (from cooking), and everybody has fun.
The only condition is: everybody has to eat what's prepared.
13. Make it educational
This idea is for preschool-age kids. Make or buy a special placemat with letter
or numbers. Laminate it with Con-Tact paper so it becomes a wipe-off board. Use
it only for dinnertimes.
14. More mealtime learning opportunities
Plan some meals to coincide with specific topics your child is studying in
school. For example, on the night after a field trip to a pioneer town, have a
pioneer-style meal.
15. Celebrate school successes at dinner
Celebrate school successes with a special family meal. Prepare the child's
favorite meal and prepare a nice dessert. It's more important to have a meal
that's relaxed and delicious, than one that tool hours to prepare.
16. Nurture school relationships
Get to know your children's closest school friends by inviting them to dinner
once in a while.
Follow these tips to make family mealtimes simpler, easier and more fun. For
meal planning and grocery shopping help, go to Dine Without Whine.
Your monthly subscription includes a weekly meal plan with recipes for main
dishes, side dishes, 2 desserts and 2 brunches.
You'll also get a weekly grocery shopping list of everything you need to create
the recipes. The list is categorized according to grocery sections, so your
shopping will be easier and faster.
Trick or Treating - Keep
Your Kids Safe Halloween is a holiday loved by kids everywhere. It’s a fun time
to dress up like silly or scary characters and go trick-or-treating in the
neighborhood. Be sure your kids are safe while trick-or-treating with these
quick tips..
