OHbaby! Forums : Working mums https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:32:53 +0000 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:46:08 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.05 360 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=24068 <![CDATA[OHbaby! Forums]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ <![CDATA[Working mums : I negotiated flexible working...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=602394&title=working-mums#602394 Author: jaz
Subject: 24068
Posted: 31 January 2009 at 7:46am

I negotiated flexible working hours with my Manager and now work 8-4 which makes a HUGE difference. DP works 5-9 so we don't have to pick up or drop off at daycare.

I still cook Caleb a big pot of meat and veges once every three weeks and freeze them as he is ready for dinner at about 5pm which is too early for us to eat. He can sit in his highchair having some fruit while I chop up veges for a stir fry etc.

We have salads every night atm which is really quick and easy and there are hardly any dishes to do. I also make DP frozen meals that he takes to work to eat so I may have one night that I cook him 1-2 weeks worth of meals while cooking our dinner. On those nights typically I'll make a big pot of mince (burritos for us and mince, pasta and veges for him - enough for say 3-4 nights).

In winter we use the crockpot a lot for stews etc. I make a big pot of pea and ham soup in the weekend so I know we are getting our veges then I'm not worried about serving it up with a toastie. I also do a roast on Sunday night with leftovers for us on Monday, and often can make DP a weeks worth of frozen meals out of the leftovers.

Friday nights are usually takeaway type of meals from the frozen food section (fish and chips, pies, pizza, spring rolls etc). ]]> Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:46:08 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=602394&title=working-mums#602394 <![CDATA[Working mums : I get home anywhere between 5.30...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=602088&title=working-mums#602088 Author: Kels
Subject: 24068
Posted: 30 January 2009 at 6:55pm

I get home anywhere between 5.30 and 6pm with the kids in tow. I would like to say I was extra organised but Im not lol. As long as I have something in the fridge to cook I cook while the kids bath or shower then we eat about 6.30-7pm (depending when I got home) sometimes earlier if I am doing the easy option of toasted sammies or spaq on toast. Most meals dont take too long as I wont do a roast or anything thru the week but curry chicken on rice or stir fry, nachos etc are pretty quick meals to do from scratch. Ooo another good one is fish fillets, 15mins in the oven and they are perfect and the kids love them. I tend to add anything and everything with them lol.

]]> Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:55:00 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=602088&title=working-mums#602088 <![CDATA[Working mums : I find making easy things like...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=601639&title=working-mums#601639 Author: bext1
Subject: 24068
Posted: 30 January 2009 at 11:07am

I find making easy things like stir-fry works during the week, or a bbq, just something simple because i wasnt getting home till about 6ish, and after being stuck in traffic just didnt feel like making tea at all!!!]]> Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:07:36 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=601639&title=working-mums#601639 <![CDATA[Working mums : I usually have things prepared...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=600406&title=working-mums#600406 Author: Nic01
Subject: 24068
Posted: 29 January 2009 at 8:49am

I usually have things prepared but frozen for Matt - stuff like fish pie, spag bol etc, so basically all I have to do is just heat it in the microwave. Isabella gets jars of babyfood, toast fingers & other easy to prepare finger food. I make our tea after the kids are in bed at 7. Sometimes I'll put aside some of what we are having for tea & reheat it the next day for Matt. Other times he gets toasted sandwiches or baked beans & meatballs & occasionally jars of toddler meals. I wouldn't have a hope of getting tea ready for all of us to eat together at a reasonable time, so find that giving the kids theirs first & then doing ours later works for us, plus Bella tends to start having a meltdown if she's not getting fed by at least 6pm! ]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:49:47 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=600406&title=working-mums#600406 <![CDATA[Working mums : Planning and preparation are the...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=600258&title=working-mums#600258 Author: yummymummy
Subject: 24068
Posted: 28 January 2009 at 10:05pm

Planning and preparation are the 2 key things.
I work until 5:30pm and am never hope until 6pm or later. DH picks up the girls and gets them home from daycare and gives them pre-prepared or easy to make snacks.
Gina has things like toast with cold chicken sliced/boiled egg/cheese/pate; fruit; raisins; little sausages; pasta snacks; noodles - all those can be ready in 10 min.
Emma will often just have a jar of baby food.
- This way they are fed and happy and can play around until dinnertime - which is often around 7pm at our house. I tend to make easy things for dinner too - ie stir-frys and I buy a lot of convinient stuff like pre-chopped stir-fry veggies; washed lettuce; sliced mushrooms - every bit helps to save time.
And if all else fails, takeaways ]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:05:28 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=600258&title=working-mums#600258 <![CDATA[Working mums : We probably should change this...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=600194&title=working-mums#600194 Author: Highlander
Subject: 24068
Posted: 28 January 2009 at 9:08pm

We probably should change this but.... we eat once our wee boy has gone to bed at 7pm, my DH is a SAHD and I finish at 4.30pm (short lunch break too), so he gets our son's dinner ready at 5pm and then we eat at 7.30pm. We have tried a few times to all eat together and do it at the weekends quite often but it just seems way too hard for some reason during the week!! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:08:55 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=600194&title=working-mums#600194 <![CDATA[Working mums : I&#039;m home at around 4.30 and...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599858&title=working-mums#599858 Author: Two Blondinis
Subject: 24068
Posted: 28 January 2009 at 2:57pm

I'm home at around 4.30 and to occupy Caitlin I get her to "help" me cook dinner. Just things like throwing the food in the pan etc, takes the edge off having to run around like a mad thing and the plus side is that you get to spend quality time with them ]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:57:11 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599858&title=working-mums#599858 <![CDATA[Working mums : I was going to say slow cooker....]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599755&title=working-mums#599755 Author: Rachael21
Subject: 24068
Posted: 28 January 2009 at 12:55pm

I was going to say slow cooker. I'm a SAHM (only for the rest of the week tho) but even I sometimes struggle to get tea on the table before the kids lose it and nothing beats a slowcooker roast.

Also my kids daycare feed them a hot lunch so if worst comes to worst I can just feed them a finger food dinner.]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:55:15 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599755&title=working-mums#599755 <![CDATA[Working mums : meal planning and crockpots -...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599374&title=working-mums#599374 Author: lizzle
Subject: 24068
Posted: 27 January 2009 at 9:45pm

meal planning and crockpots - but also having "dinner-ish" snacks the kids can have if they are hungry before tea is ready - carrot sticks and hummus - easy to prepare the night before; fruit cut into pieces. I let them snack on those while i prepare tea for them - I often will make them something different on work nights from DH and myself]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:45:24 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599374&title=working-mums#599374 <![CDATA[Working mums : I try to have stuff preped the...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599169&title=working-mums#599169 Author: mummy_becks
Subject: 24068
Posted: 27 January 2009 at 7:29pm

I try to have stuff preped the night before so I just have to cook it the next night. Doesn't always work but usually does.

]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:29:21 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599169&title=working-mums#599169 <![CDATA[Working mums : Thanks ladies. My DF works...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599143&title=working-mums#599143 Author: EthansMummy
Subject: 24068
Posted: 27 January 2009 at 7:04pm

Thanks ladies.

My DF works later than me so that doesn't work. I think I just need to start meal planning and being more on to it.]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:04:37 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599143&title=working-mums#599143 <![CDATA[Working mums : I&#039;m a SAHM but my mum is...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599078&title=working-mums#599078 Author: flakesitchyfeet
Subject: 24068
Posted: 27 January 2009 at 5:50pm

I'm a SAHM but my mum is a single working mum, and her youngest is 5.

She has a crock pot, and I'd say 4 out of 5 worknights a week dinner is from that? She cooks the most amazing roasts, soups, caseroles, silverside, mince dish thingees etc in that thing. She just chucks it all in before work, and in the evening the majority of dinner is done when she walks in the door and the place smells amazing!!]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:50:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599078&title=working-mums#599078 <![CDATA[Working mums : My DH is SAHD so he usually does...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599040&title=working-mums#599040 Author: busymum
Subject: 24068
Posted: 27 January 2009 at 5:18pm

My DH is SAHD so he usually does dinner. Also I take a short lunch break and am home from work by 4.30pm each day. It is enough time for me to organise dinner by 5.30-6pm (our usual time) to give him the odd night off. I think if you live close enough to work you'll be able to have dinner ready at 6pm but as an alternative, can you knock off at 4.30pm to start?]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:18:03 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=599040&title=working-mums#599040 <![CDATA[Working mums : lilfatty wrote:I get the other...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=598910&title=working-mums#598910 Author: CuriousG
Subject: 24068
Posted: 27 January 2009 at 3:23pm

Originally posted by lilfatty lilfatty wrote:

I get the other half to make it


I don't like DH's cooking - you are lucky!]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:23:49 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=598910&title=working-mums#598910 <![CDATA[Working mums : I get the other half to make it...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=598909&title=working-mums#598909 Author: lilfatty
Subject: 24068
Posted: 27 January 2009 at 3:23pm

I get the other half to make it ]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:23:22 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=598909&title=working-mums#598909 <![CDATA[Working mums : I don&#039;t get home till about...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=598908&title=working-mums#598908 Author: CuriousG
Subject: 24068
Posted: 27 January 2009 at 3:21pm

I don't get home till about 5.15pm each night.

I still manage to get dinner ready for between 5.45 and 6pm. I plan what we are going to have and also, we have relatively easy things during the week, such as spag bog, steak and veges, stir fry and stuff like that. Tonight its fresh pasta with cabonara sauce and some brocolli, mushrooms and peas. It will take me about 25 mins I reckon to get it all sorted.

I tend to cook a yummy big meal like roast on the weekends and usually there are leftovers for the next night.

It may take a bit of training but you may want to start pushing Ethan's dinner time out for a wee while to get him used to the later dinner. Charlotte is usually pretty hungry by 5.30 but we find the art of distraction, such as Daddy giving her a bath, gives me those extra few mins to get it all ready.

Edited by CuriousG]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:21:49 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=598908&title=working-mums#598908 <![CDATA[Working mums : I am going back to work after...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=598885&title=working-mums#598885 Author: EthansMummy
Subject: 24068
Posted: 27 January 2009 at 2:56pm

I am going back to work after baby 2 what i would like to know from mums who work until 5pm what time do you have dinner or how do you work dinner?

Ethan is usually ready for dinner about 5.30 but i won't have it ready by then.

SAHM's please feel free to add your comments. ]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:56:46 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24068&PID=598885&title=working-mums#598885