9 weeks till I start what's your best advice?

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I have 9 weeks till I start nursing classes and I want to take this time to get everything done and be as organized as I possibly can. I am breastfeeding so I have been pumping trying to get a big stash in the deep freezer. (I don't have a problem with supplementing formula if I need to, but I am going to try to keep her on mostly breastmilk if I can). I am thinking of cooking up some meals and freezing them up as well. I have a deep freezer so I should be able to make up quite a few. Um, trying to think of what else. The only other thing I have thought of is to stock up on cleaning supplies and stuff like that so I don't have to run to the store quite as often. I only wish I could stock up on laundry washing, lol. Any other ideas for things I could be doing now to make things a little easier in the fall.

Teresa

Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

I've posted this piece of advice before, and I'll probably post it again...

pre-cook ground beef!!! Doing this cuts cooking time in half for things like spaghetti, hamburger helper, and any other dish that requires you to use ground beef. I also save a little money because I buy the 96% stuff in bulk - 5 or 6 lb packages - brown it, and then break it up into 1 lb portions and freeze it in zip-locks. I always keep an extra pound or two on hand so if I forget to put meat out for dinner, I can just zap it enough to thaw it a little, put it in the pan w/spaghetti sauce, and cook the noodles. That way I have dinner in about 15 minutes! :)

Hope this helps!

I went out and bought church clothes and winter clothes, because I want to look nice while being a broke student.

Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I have to agree with Sara about pre-cooking the ground beef. I do the same thing with those big 5 pound things of it and it saves me a LOT of time. A friend told me this way to cook and this is how I do it- crumbled up ground beef in a big pan, cover with water, add onions, garlic and whatever else you like and *boil* (I had never knew you could boil meat). After it is done cooking rinse it with hot water, then with cold water (gets all the fat out too!) since it will cool divide it up into freezer bags.

I also pre-chop onions and bell peppers and freeze those.

I was still breastfeeding my dd (actually I still am) when I first started back to school as well. I think building up a good stash of expressed milk is a great idea. I never had to use formula just because I had enough BM on hand. Also she was just starting solids (she was 6 months I think?) so that helped as well. I plan to nurse her till she is 2, she is 18 months now.

Also plan out your dinner menu for 1-2 weeks ahead of time and shop off that...that way you know you have everything on hand to cook with, etc. That has really helped me.

Good luck- sounds like you are really prepared and will do GREAT!!

Marilyn

Is there anyone else that can help you? If so ask them too, if not, laundry, cleaning etc.... will have to be put on hold. You can wear the same pair of socks two days in a row;)

Freezing ground beef is great idea! One thing of advice.......Ask for help! DOnt take everything on by yourself.... hook up with other nursing student moms.... they know the deal and can give you some tips, too.

Your house WILL have dustbunnies, so what, You have to focus and PRIORITIZE. Remember that , that is what nursing is all about!

You can do it!

I have 3 kiddies 8yr, and 3.5 yr old twins

You can do it!

Happy:D

Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Here is a site I *really* like, I have posted this on here before but it has really helped me

http://www.organizedhome.com

http://www.flylady.com is good too for cleaning and organizing, etc

Marilyn

Originally posted by happystudent

You can do it!

I have 3 kiddies 8yr, and 3.5 yr old twins

You can do it!

Happy:D

I have 5 (10, 6, 4, 2, and not quite 2 months). I figure if I can do it anyone can. Of course I am not one for excuses and neither is my hubby.

Teresa

Great tips! Thanks everyone! Keep them coming! I hadn't thought of cooking five pounds of ground beef at the same time. I have already planned on soliciting help from everyone I can find to help.

Teresa

I think I've posted this here before...but I try to cook only once a month and freeze it so DH and I can eat nice meals at home (a huge savings) with relatively little effort. The weekend you spend cooking more than makes up for itself in saving my time and money throughout the rest of the month. My friends at work are always amazed when I bring in homemade beef stew, spaghetti, chili, enchiladas, etc... Hey, it sure beats Lean Cuisine! If your interested, you might want to check out http://members.aol.com/oamcloop/. Also, I agree with Marilyn about Flylady.net...It's a wonderful way to help keep organized!!

Good Luck!!!

~Bean :D

Hi Teresa,

I have already planned my menu for Sept. - Oct. If I get accepted I want to be prepared as far as food is concerned. I figure if their mouthes are full I won't hear anybody whine as much....lol...including my dh....lol. Make sure your laundry is done way ahead of time. And have at least 3 backups for childcare. (I heard someone give this advice before) I am so happy for you.

As mommies...we ROCK!!!!....:roll

Hugs,

Fatima (*Mother to 4* - 8 3/4, 7, 2 1/2 and 5 mths.)

How bout the old crockpot......fall is the perfect time to whip it out!

my fave is chicken

i throw in a whole 6 lb chick.... with shallots and about a cup of white cooking wine...salt and pepper, 8 hours on low. yum

anyone have good slowcooker recipes?

i love collecting em....

If you know what books you will need for your classes, I suggest buying them now and start reading them. Last semester I started reading texts 3 weeks before classes started and it really helped relieve the pressure off the first few weeks of classes, since it's hard to get back in the swing of things after a break. It can also help you to figure out which classes are going to take the most amount of studying.:)

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