Do You Start To Make Dinner...

[Jack Sprat]

while you have daycare kids? I have been wondering this and haven't done so yet. But, since school has started and last kiddo leaves at 5:15 I would like to. Of course the child would be in the kitchen or dining room with me and would probably "help". Just wondering how many start with kids still there.

[kathiemarie]

When my own kids were younger I did. I would cut up the veggies, put the meat in the oven etc. but now that I only have one at home and she is in high school we eat later so I don't.

[sharlan]

Yes, I do. I start prepping dinner at 5:15 and my last two don't leave until 5:45. I like to have dinner as soon as they leave.

[Childminder]

Every day. But I'm open till midnite. Kid help. Set table, prep food or homework or art work.

[mom2many]

I almost always have dinner started. My last dcg leaves at 6 and we eat shortly after that unless I'm going to the gym after work and plan to eat after I get home.

[NeedaVaca]

As much as I can! If it's a soup/chili and cooks a long time I will actually make it during nap time. Otherwise I try to prep when they are coloring at the table waiting on pick ups. If it's a roast/casserole or something I can put it in the oven at that time. It's not always possible but I try! I get a lot of comments about how good the house smells and parents wanting recipes!

[Play Care]

while you have daycare kids? I have been wondering this and haven't done so yet. But, since school has started and last kiddo leaves at 5:15 I would like to. Of course the child would be in the kitchen or dining room with me and would probably "help". Just wondering how many start with kids still there.

Yes I do. I meal plan so I always know ahead of time what we are having. I do try to plan easier to prepare meals for weeknights so all I have to do is put something together and pop it in the oven or crockpot.

[mema]

Depends on the day, what's going on after close, and what we are having. Today we are having Italian chicken, so I put it all together in the crock pot at lunch time.

When ds plays baseball, we have to leave immediately after pick up and aren't home until after 8, so mine usually eat around 430 and I just take the kids outside or out of the area. Dance and soccer nights practice is usually sometime between 530-6, so i do start supper so we can eat right away.

I give the kids an activity at the table, just like when making lunch. I've had many parents come in saying, mmmm, that smells great! They don't seem to mind. They know whatever is smelling so yummy will be in their kids tummy the next day.

[spud912]

As much as I can! If it's a soup/chili and cooks a long time I will actually make it during nap time. Otherwise I try to prep when they are coloring at the table waiting on pick ups. If it's a roast/casserole or something I can put it in the oven at that time. It's not always possible but I try! I get a lot of comments about how good the house smells and parents wanting recipes!

Ditto! We eat usually when the last kid is picked up, sometimes as early as 5/5:15 ! I like it because it frees up the evening to do other things with the family instead of spending half of it cooking and cleaning.

[Unregistered]

I do here. I sit the kids at the kitchen table with a book (each) though. I close at 5:30, we usually don't actually eat until around 7 but I like to prepare early. It's a double positive here, supper gets prepped and daycare kids get some chill out time before pick up.
(Except if I have a baby with me, the baby always sits in the highchair near me, just hanging out watching.)

[e.j.]

Unless I'm making something in the crockpot, I wait until everyone leaves to cook dinner. Even if I'm using the crock, I try to have everything cut up and ready so I can just throw it in the crock quickly before the dc kids arrive in the morning. I've never felt comfortable making dinner with dc parents coming and going. I don't want them thinking I'm not giving my full attention to their kids. (Not a comment on anyone who does cook dinner. Just my own opinion and the reason why I don't generally cook dinner until after closing.)

[Maria2013]

while you have daycare kids? I have been wondering this and haven't done so yet. But, since school has started and last kiddo leaves at 5:15 I would like to. Of course the child would be in the kitchen or dining room with me and would probably "help". Just wondering how many start with kids still there.

I have to when I work late, otherwise I wait till all kids are gone

[Jack Sprat]

Thanks everyone! We are huge crockpot fans and huge fans of eating early. Our kids are in bed by 7:45 and 8:30 so its nice to have dinner started and almost ready to serve by 5:30.

[Lyss]

Yes, I do. I start prepping dinner at 5:15 and my last two don't leave until 5:45. I like to have dinner as soon as they leave.

This is me as well. My last 3 get picked up between 530 and 545, DH is home at 545/6ish and we eat. I clean up and change DCKs at 5 then the sit down for one group activity around 515, like blocks or coloring, while I prep dinner and get it started. Its never anything fancy. :: one DCM always comments that it smells so good (although smell can be misleading : and she wants to stay for dinner but no one's ever had an issue with it.

I really need to start using the crockpot more, I always mean to but rarely do

[Familycare71]

I don't but may start! It's a good idea having everyone coloring or doing an activity that can be easily left and I would love to have dinner earlier!!
My new school year resolution: have menus planned and dinner ready by 6!