Preparations #2

Snacks for Pick Up

As Addy grew from baby into toddler we were stuck in a very challenging pattern that pick up time because the worst time of the day.  Addy was tired, pick up at daycare is always hectic in the evenings and I was tired and stressed from a long day at work and contemplating all the to-do’s both at work and home that were waiting for me.  This is a recipe for disaster.  Addy would come into the house once we got home and throw temper tantrums almost every night.  I can very much relate to Kim's note below about hungry kid in the pantry as we walk in the door.  After some trial and error we realized that Addy needed a little snack on the way home.  This snack, although simple, had a huge impact:

• Focuses child’s attention – it is something repetitive and comforting during transition time
• Staves off hunger – this way you can actually get home, change, feed the animals and make dinner
• Opportunity for win-win – both of you feel successful during transition time
• Quiet time – may provide Mom with a couple of extra minutes of quiet time to make those final work phone calls on the way home

I pack this bag each Sunday with snacks for the week. 

I also provide my husband a couple of extras as well.  I normally do pick up by there will be those days that things get switched up.  I typically include things like an apple, fruit leather, or bag of goldfish or crackers.  You can get pre-packed bags of crackers and such at the grocery store to make it even more simple.  I typically make the bags myself to save some money.  Now that Addy is older I have her help me put the bag together so she is taking some ownership in what ends up in the bag.  When we started I kept the bag up front and handed out the snacks.  Now I keep it in the back and when I buckle Addy in, she picks out her own choice and I keep the bag in the back.

As a working Mom what preparation techniques have you found to be helpful?  Please share, we’d love to hear your great ideas!!

Do You Have any Quick, Kid-Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Enjoys?

Here is a reader submission from KIM.

YAY for the working mama!!!

Something very challenging for me is dinner time. By the time I get home, my girls are into the pantry looking for a “snack”. The race is on to get something to the table. I love the crock-pot idea and use it often, but sometimes it’s a little boring (or maybe I’m just cooking the same thing over and over). Fortunately for me, I have a full kitchen at work. I have put together a casserole at home the night before and during my afternoon break threw it in the oven. Once I left work, the casserole was done and ready for me to put it in my insulated carry case and head out the door. It made my car smell yummy and all I needed to do was a salad or veggie.

Any quick, healthy, and kid-friendly meal ideas would be great. Sometimes it’s just chicken nuggets for dinner, but mama needs something more!

Thanks!

Kim

Great idea, Kim! Thank you.

Are you a working Mom with a story, suggestion or information to share? Do you have a recipe idea to help out Kim or any of us Mamas? E-mail us!

Welcome and Preparations #1

Welcome Everyone!!  

Please come and enjoy a place for working moms to share successes and struggles, lessons learned, and all things that go along with being a working mama!  This is our very first post and Courtney and I are so excited to get this blog going.  We've noticed a lack of working moms in blogland and that is all about to change.  Share your thoughts, ideas and stories with us!!  Tell a friend and lets share our amazing journey. 

One of the most challenging aspects of working and having kids is staying one step ahead.  Sometimes it is impossible, I can’t tell you the number of times Addy has shown up for daycare on a Friday (bring your lunch day) without a lunch.  We scramble and put together a lunch at the deli next door as we are dropping her off.  It just happens.

But there are a couple of planning techniques that have truly worked well for me.  Both are pretty simple, but have a big impact for our family. Today I will talk about the first one, its the one we've been doing the longest.

Clothes Preparation

During the weekend I check the weather and calendar and lay out a full week’s worth of clothes for Addy.  I remember the first time I was introduced to this concept.  A co-worker invited us all to her home for a work function and she had two sets of clothes marching down the stairs and explained that this is where she put out her weeks worth of clothes for both her little girls.  So, you can put them out anywhere!  I use a shelf in Addy’s closet.  

Another great idea would be to get one of these:

They have them for sale at most stores like here at Target.

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When doing this I lay out each outfit as completely as possible including undies or diaper, socks, shoes, sweater, etc.  That way you eliminate as much work in each morning as possible.  It really helps my husband if I am gone and he is trying to get Addy ready, as he has a terrible time trying to match up outfits and is inevitably running late.

We’ve been doing this since Addy first went to daycare at about 4 months old.  We are still doing it today.  Here we are ready for this upcoming week:

Okay, so I didn't make my piles look very pretty, but very effective none the less. It doesn't have to be beautiful to be efficient!

If you want to take it to the next level you can try adding:

• A change of clothes for baby.  (Our daycare provider always had a handful of extra clothes, but you could provide a different outfit each day)
• Extras needed for that day.  (If your child has swim class or ballet, you can include all those extras in the same location to be ready for all activities that day)
• Ask your child to help or participate.  (Addy helps me plan it out and that way she doesn’t argue each morning about what to wear because I remind her she picked it out)

 Hope you find this idea helpful.  Share some of your preparation ideas with us!

XoXo,

Jessica