Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

This is a very serious question. I don't know how to cook, but realize I need to start so we can all eat together as a family, be healthy, etc.

So my question is this. How do you cook dinner and take care of a baby, too? At the same time I mean. I can't leave her for more then 5-10 minutes at a time.
So how do you do both?

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

how old is she? I started with DS in the bouncy seat. When he grew out of that, I put him in the high chair Now I have him play with the magnets on the frige

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

There are a lot of things you can prepare in 5-10 minutes and then just leave in the oven until its ready... Simplify your cooking plans, and you'll be in good shape.

Or, if you want to prepare something more elaborate, wear her during the prep (but not once the stove is on!)

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

I usually put together something pretty easy and quick - chicken cutlets, pasta,etc.

I put Peyton in the bouncey seat and bring her in the kitchen with me OR I put on Noggin or something and I usually get a good 1/2 hour out of her.
Or I rely on Delaney to entertain her.

Have you tried feeding her first and then putting her down for a nap? Or maybe give her some pots and pans or tupperware to play with.

Message edited 8/15/2006 7:48:36 AM.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

I love to cook, but at the moment find it impossible to do with a baby. What I do is put Noah to bed and then have dinner afterwards...usually I make a salad and throw something on the BBQ, so its easy and has low cleanup.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

Get a sling! DD loves being in it plus I can get things done. She also likes the Ocean Wonders Travel Swing. I put it near me in the kitchen when I am cooking so she can see me.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

What's great - especially if you don't cook - is a slow cooker (formerly known as a crockpot). In the morning, you just throw everything in and let it cook all day. At dinnertime, serve and eat!

Otherwise, you can do prep work while she naps, and when it's time to actually cook, keep her busy in the exersaucer, pack n play, highchair - whatever she'll stay in at the moment. That way you don't have to worry about her while you cook.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

I usually wait until she goes to sleep - or cook a bunch of meals on sunday while DH can watch the baby and freeze the meals for later in the week.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

I either wait until Alex goes to sleep, or I put her in her high chair with some cheerios... that will keep her for a good 15 mins. Otherwise, I'll play with her while DH cooks, or vice versa...

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

I put on a Sesame Street video or something similar and just make sure that I run back and forth between the livingroom and kitchen every 2 seconds.

Also now she likes to follow me into the kitchen and loves to explore the microwave so I find myself dumping the contents of my Tupperware cabinet on the floor for her to play with the bowls and lids.

It is a struggle some days but I just have to keep doing it and you deal with the mixups as they come.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

I used to put him in his rocker in the kitchen with me, but now that he is usually in bed by 7pm I just wait until he is asleep.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

Some nights DH will make dinner and I'll feed or watch Sydney and other nights vice versa or we will just make things that can go in the microwave or oven. We just started making things in a crock pot and that helps too and it makes alot so we have leftovers some nights.
I usually cant wait until she goes to bed to eat. I am usually famished and dont like to eat less than 3 hours before I go to sleep.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

I gave you the only recipe I can make and I'm not lending you my DH to cook.

When we first got married & I was pretending to care about cooking, I used the crock pot a lot. I have a book of recipes for them and another book that my mom copied for me. If you want I can stick them in the copier at work & send them to you.

I know most of my friends that do cook & work in Manhattan prepare most of their meals for week on Sunday.

I've seen my husband reuse leftovers into some different dishes during the week. Monday Breaded Chicken Cutlets ( he makes a ton of them). Tuesday he'll make sauce, use my frozen meatballs & make pasta. Wednesday he'll cut up the chicken cutlets & put htem in a salad. Thursday he'll use some of the cooked meat from Tuesday, salad from Wednesday & make tacos. Friday he'll make chicken cutlet parmiagna using the chicken cutlets & the sauce.

I would do more baking than cooking. Stick a chicken in the oven for a few hours with rosemary & garlic. That way you're not standing over a stove.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

Steph - you know my situation LOL.

However, I still cook pretty much every night. I do a lot of prep stuff after the kids are asleep. I find that if all my stuff is clean, cut etc., its easier.

I have a bunch of recipies that you can make the night before and just throw in the oven. I'll make a copy and give them to you.

I know that Rachel Ray says her meals are 30 minutes but she's a liar Those stupid things take me longer so I don't recommend her cookbook. I think a lot of moms here can give you faster better recipies.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

Steph, you're not alone.. I dont cook either. I can, but just dont want to. My DH works every night from 3-11 so i pretty much get off cooking duty. Once Jacob starts eating table food real well, then i will start to cook more... i will just put the TV on and he usually content for a half hr max.. so that will give me some time.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

I make a meal plan and list the night before I go food shopping. I go food shopping on the weekend when DH can watch her. Then, as soon as I get home I take another hour out (DH is still with DD) to wash and cut up veggies and fruit. This way if I make pasta primavera for dinner on night all I have to do it take olive oil and thrown the veggies into a skillet, boil water, throw in whole wheat pasta and take the sauce I made (and froze into jars) and use that. Start to finish it takes 10 minutes and it is a healthy meal. You just need to prepare ahead of time. I learn that when I went to WW.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

The highchair with a bunch of toys. As long as she can see me, she is ok. As for sitting down to eat. I feed her first so she is content and put her in the highchair at the table with us. Works really well for now....

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

I don't unfortunately. We usually throw something together when DH comes home after she's in bed. It's just too hard to count on her being happy long enough for me to make a meal. If its quick and easy I'll cook but as far as real meals only on the weekend. The crockpot is a good option though because you throw everything in it in the morning and have dinner ready when you get home.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

Thanks- I too can't count on her being happy long enough for me to cook. Add that to not even knowing how to cook, and I am a mess.

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

Tell ya what - I'm offering you cooking lessons one Saturday.

We'll start slow and whatever we make that day I'll send you home with.

Deal?

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!

Re: Ok Moms- DON'T LAUGH AT ME!