| There is nothing worse than being a full time | | | | meal snacks unless they at least try what you |
| working mother or father and having to come | | | | have prepared. |
| home five days a week and decide what you are | | | | When ever you have a few spare minutes |
| going to feed your children and yourself for | | | | before bedtime, try to get a few things ready |
| dinner. When mom and dad can both be home to | | | | for the meal the next night. If it is nothing more |
| lend each other a hand, it can make things go a | | | | than setting out the pans, utensils, cans, boxes |
| little smoother and a little faster, but these days | | | | and spices you will need, it will give you a head |
| there is no guarantee that both parents are going | | | | start tomorrow evening. |
| to get through with work at the same hour or | | | | Try making casseroles and baking or broiling |
| even be able to work the same shifts!Whoever is | | | | meats in the oven. One dish meals are great and |
| home has the responsibility of cooking or at least | | | | when you put something in the oven, it just |
| preparing something that does not have to be | | | | seems easier than having boiling or frying pans on |
| cooked. | | | | top of the stove to keep watch on constantly. If |
| There are some short cuts that are helpful. The | | | | you put an item in the oven and it cooks on its |
| first one is to plan your menus before you even | | | | for one half to one hour, you can do other things |
| go grocery shopping. If you already know your | | | | while it it getting done like helping the kids with |
| meals every night for the week, then it is easier | | | | their homework. As a matter of a a fact, having |
| to make a list and stick to it once you get to the | | | | the kids in the kitchen doing homework while you |
| store. This will save you not only time, but | | | | are preparing dinner can also make you feel like |
| precious money as well. | | | | you are killing two birds with one stone. |
| The second helpful thing is to try to keep it | | | | Do not feel too bad if you pick one night or two |
| healthy. Fresh vegetables are always a good | | | | a week to be soup and sandwich night or even |
| choice because chances are most of them can be | | | | salad night! Working a full time job when you have |
| prepared and cooked more easily and quickly than | | | | kids is like having two full time jobs anyway. Make |
| you think. Prepackaged and frozen vegetables are | | | | the cooking and the cleaning as easy and painless |
| alright to use, but fresh is best. Encourage your | | | | as you possibly can. |
| kids to eat what is cooked and do not allow after | | | | |