I start most days with the best intentions. I create long to-do lists in my mind at night when I can’t sleep. I tell myself I will wake up and get it all done. Then morning comes.
I try to get up before my kids so I can get a little quiet and coffee in. As I sit and sip my coffee I tell myself, after this cup, I will get all the stuff done. When I finish my cup of coffee and the little ones are still asleep, I tell myself that I can’t do any of the things on the list, because it’ll wake them up. So I get more coffee. Then, I hear little footsteps.
Once the kids are up, my day is a blur. Diapers, drinks, food, naps, diapers, cartoons, diapers, drop teens off at friends, pick them back up. Then finally nap time.
My 2-year-old is sneaky sometimes and snuggles me right to sleep with her. Next thing I know, It’s 5 o’clock and hubby is on the way home and I haven’t made a plan for dinner.
Days like these, I feel like a failure. I look around and see the house is a mess, the to-do list is still full and everyone is hungry.
I run into the kitchen, yank open the fridge hoping there is something quick and easy sitting inside, nope. So I pull open the freezer and stare at all the frozen stuff that would take forever to defrost then cook. So I go to the pantry, Yes! Breakfast for dinner! I grab a pack of bacon and the Bisquick and get to work.
To make things quick and less messy, I bake the bacon. A trick I use with a large family and a pack of bacon…I always cut the entire pack of bacon in half. This way everyone thinks they are getting lots, but really it’s only about 2 strips each.
Sometimes my older kids jump in and help out too.
At the end of the day, it all works out.
The kids think I’m being a fun mom, and the hubby comes home to a cooked meal. I pretend this was my plan all along. Everyone is happy.
Do you have a go-to meal for when you haven’t planned meals, or, overslept during nap time?
