Anonymous wrote:OP here. My 1 year old would seriously throw vegetables at me if I tried just giving those to her (she does eat vegetables). She likes bananas, but those only last 30 seconds. If she snacks too much before dinner, then she won't sit and eat dinner, which means I can't sit and eat dinner either.

And pp, you would leave something in the oven for 50 min while you're gone? Aren't ovens a big source of house fires? I wouldn't feel safe doing that. Crock pot or instant pot are all I'll leave on.

If both her siblings are eating veggies are you sure she wouldn't want to try them too? All my kids eat vegetables, even though they all have one or two they don't like. My point is, have some component of dinner ready for them (I chose vegetables) and give them that. Would she eat cucumber slices?

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were really little, I would cook dinner after I put them to bed and that’s what dh and I ate. The next night, all I had to do was reheat leftovers for the kids. That way, I spent almost no time preparing food for the kids, but they ate what we ate.

That could work. Are your kids' bedtime early enough?

When my kids were really little, I would cook dinner after I put them to bed and that’s what dh and I ate. The next night, all I had to do was reheat leftovers for the kids. That way, I spent almost no time preparing food for the kids, but they ate what we ate.

OP, the truth is that your kids, part from the youngest, are being overly difficult. They have to eat the snack you provide without whining, or wait until dinner. Are you sure they're getting enough sleep? Are their activities worth it or do they need to come straight home (if possible for you) to relax? Are they being disciplined correctly when they start demanding food?

On Sundays I have a make a big pot of fried rice. kids love it and it’s easy to microwave when you get home during the week.

Why not have a meal in the oven done before you leave but turn it off, foiled, and cooked for 10min less than expected. Or cook to time needed and then crack it open. I would think it still stays warm.

Enchiladas
Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Meatloaf
Stuffed Bell Peppers

So
I’m going out tonight but my kid is not coming so has a quick dinner. Literally less than 5 mins to make her a black bean/WG rice/ cheese burrito in a WG wrap with 4 cut up tomatoes and half an avocado chopped up. Less than 5 mins! The rice was Uncle Bens 90 sec rice, I’m ok with paying for convenience.
Rotisserie chicken is also good. Pull it apart when you buy it even if that’s the day before you need it.I know you said you’d kids don’t like soup but have u tried Ramen? Add extra water, then rotisserie chicken, carrots/celery, dinner in less than 10 mins.

Have a “starter course” like salad and cheese or fruit and vegetables that you can set in front of them and eat a bit yourself while you finish off the main dish. That will both be the start of dinner and time for you to actually heat something up!

I'd come at this a different way...can you hire someone to do the pickups while you prep dinner so everything is ready to go when everyone arrives home? Or someone to prep the food and you do the carpools?For me- I would rather have a little more daily sanity and downgrade my annual vacation budget to allow for this.

This works for my teenage boys - heat up some rice and tortillas, shred some lettuce, and serve with salsa. Or put it on the countertop with self-serve rice, salsa, guacamole, tortilla chips, and sour cream for burrito bowls.

https://www.thecookierookie.com/crockpot-mexican-shredded-chicken/

I will admit to UberEats scheduled to deliver as I get home - super pollo whole chicken is w huge help

I always keep frozen meatballs and frozen taco meat on hand. Can be heated up in minutes to make a meal. Other quick meals for the kids include grilled cheese, bean and cheese quesadillas, eggs and toast. Keep a container of cut up veggies and fruit in the fridge so they can snack on that while you take 5 mins to heat up dinner.

I also usually prepare 2 dinners on Sunday that can be reheated Monday and Tuesday.

OP, I feel you. In the summer I love that cold dinner in an option -- we can do cold salads, sandwiches, etc that I can just pull straight out of the fridge. In winter I do a lot of curries/stews/etc that can go in the slow cooker or microwave. For heating, I microwave a big bowl then plate the results (easier than microwaving plates). I also have a rice cooker so I sometimes prep stir fry, set the rice cooker before I head out for pickup, then put cool stir fry on hot rice which makes my heat sensitive toddler happy. If I'm making something that takes longer (like 10 minutes) I give my kids milk and veggies and handle being yelled at.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My 1 year old would seriously throw vegetables at me if I tried just giving those to her (she does eat vegetables). She likes bananas, but those only last 30 seconds. If she snacks too much before dinner, then she won't sit and eat dinner, which means I can't sit and eat dinner either.

And pp, you would leave something in the oven for 50 min while you're gone? Aren't ovens a big source of house fires? I wouldn't feel safe doing that. Crock pot or instant pot are all I'll leave on.

No ovens aren’t a big source of house fires. But no big deal if you’re not comfortable with the risk. Heat it throughly before you leave then turn the oven off with the casserole wrapped in foil and without opening the oven door. It will stay reasonably warm.

Chili, soup, stew. etc. in a crockpot that's on low while you're gone. Bowls on are the counter and you're set to immediately serve upon return
Taco meat or beans in a crock pot on low while you're gone + have the fixings prepped and ready to put straight on the the table/counter before you leave for pick up (cheese, salsa, lettuce for taco salads, etc.)