work, school and family balance

[mbtsab]

I am sure that there are alot of threads that go into this---but my main question is----how do you keep up with your house being clean and cooking??? I work full-time and then take classes three nights a week and also two online courses. I have a husband, a daughter(4) and then my dad lives with us also(disabled).. I don't think I'll be cooking homemade meals alot anymore...:):)

[mbtsab]

thanks everyone!! I think everyone has the same idea--its not a lone job and plan ahead meals.. thank you bunches!! and if we have sandwiches then so be it..lol

[AspiringNurseMW]

Worried about that here too. I have a 3 yr old and a 8 month old and my husband and MIL work nights (7pm-5am) so I usually cook everyday (can't afford not to). Ill be taking 2 online classes and taking my other classes 2 days a week. I havent been in school in almost 10 years. I've just told myself that I will not endanger my chances of getting into nursing school because something needed to be cleaned or trying to make a more elaborate meal. In about 2 weeks Im going to start practicing prepping my meals on nights and weekends.

We are hispanic so we make a lot of rice and beans so Im going to start cooking bigger batches and freezing them. Making meat marinara sauce in big batches to use for multiple things i.e, lasagna, baked ziti. I too am going to invest in a crock pot. Im thankful that school comes with a cooling down of weather because there will also be a lot of soups.... Good Luck to us!!

[mbtsab]

yes to soups and casserole dishes!lol

[hypnotizer90, BSN, RN]

I'm proud of how mothers are multi - tasking just to be a good mom just like my mom.

[Backwardo]

I'm getting really organized right now. I went through my dresser and got rid of all the clothes I don't ever wear, same for my kids. I went through their playroom and threw out the toys they no longer play with (but somehow end up on the floor). Deep cleaned the kitchen and bathroom. I figure, the less I have to maintain and worry about, the better.

Thursdays will be family cleaning day. I have one class in the morning and that's it, so we'll spend the rest of the day hanging out, having fun, and doing the cleaning essentials.

[amoLucia]

Couple of tips - use paper plates. Tinfoil your cooking vessels if you can (or use Pam spray a lot). And the piece de resistance would be to use a hair blower to dust.

I AM NOT joking about these tips. I credit my bestest longtime childhood girlfirendwith these techniques.

[mamagui]

Who needs to dust?! Just blow it around with a hairdryer for cryin out loud .

Crock pots are the awesome! Depending on what you make, you can even start something the night before you go to bed and let it cook slowly until you get home the next evening :) Great for making pork/beef tacos.