Anonymous
05/30/2014 21:42
Subject: Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
Cook - once or twice a week, and only quick & easy stuff. H cooks once or twice a week when he gets home earlier; lots of takeout otherwise
clean - weekly housecleaner
laundry - on weekends
workout - gym at work during lunchtime; my work is usually predictable enough that I can count on being able to workout almost every day
clean - weekly housecleaner
laundry - on weekends
workout - gym at work during lunchtime; my work is usually predictable enough that I can count on being able to workout almost every day
Anonymous
05/30/2014 21:24
Subject: Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
Well hopefully you would have a helpful and supportive spouse who would do his share of the domestic duties as well.
I honestly do not know how working mothers do it all. What really baffles me is how SINGLE working mothers do it all. Work, raise kids, clean, cook, etc. on limited funds.
If you can afford to, perhaps you can outsource some of your needs. Perhaps a part-time sitter, a housecleaner and/or Fluff & Fold laundry service?
I honestly do not know how working mothers do it all. What really baffles me is how SINGLE working mothers do it all. Work, raise kids, clean, cook, etc. on limited funds.
If you can afford to, perhaps you can outsource some of your needs. Perhaps a part-time sitter, a housecleaner and/or Fluff & Fold laundry service?
Anonymous
05/30/2014 20:54
Subject: Re:Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
PP again. My biggest issue with laundry, etc. is that I am spent after a day on my feet dancing and singing, all day. I am virtually useless when I get home. I think working out in the AM is going to be my plan, because I am done after work.
Anonymous
05/30/2014 20:52
Subject: Re:Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
I am a teacher. This is my first year back full time in 10 years. While I was home I ran a small business that I was able to do either with kids (when they were small) or when they were in preschool. I have been failing miserably with the balance. I used to cook so much, but cannot seem to get my act together these days with 3 kids on 2 different baseball teams. DH coaches our oldest, so he at least handles those bi-weekly practices. We share cooking, but DH is not great with meal planning, and I have faltered there as well. We have a bi weekly cleaning person. My #1 goal this summer is to get this %&$*#&^ house back in order and set myself up for better success next school year. I also have just gotten the OK to return to the gym after a chronic hip issue...so CANNOT wait to get back into the gym. I will say though, I have really enjoyed being back in the workforce, and having those other professional adults to talk to, and become friends with. I teach in a high needs school, and can really see the impact teachers have in the lives of those who really need stability.
Anonymous
05/30/2014 19:09
Subject: Re:Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
Well everyone has been very positive and the replies have been nice. My initial response after reading OP's post was not terribly polite, but seeing as everyone else is trying to be helpful so will I.
Cleaning -- hire a cleaning service. Ours comes weekly. They do the heavy cleaning, change, and wash the bed linens. In between, I do precious little. Clean up after cooking and keep clutter to a minimum. Kids pitch in more as well. Mine sort their laundry, put away clean laundry, neaten and straighten bedrooms, and other chores as assigned.
Cooking -- Meal planning, crockpot meals, and very pared down dinners make healthy eating pretty easy. We do not eat out during the work week. We do eat out on weekends mostly for lunches. I usually make a big main dish on Sunday for dinner and it becomes another dinner or some lunch portions. Our school does not have a cafeteria so I also pack lunch every day. Trying to get my husband to tell me when he doesn't have lunch plans the next day so I can make his lunch as well.
Laundry -- I start laundry on Friday night when I am still in work mode. By the time I go to bed, I have washed and dried usually 2 loads at least. I continue moving laundry along on Saturday morning. I wash and dry everything and then I fold everything. Kids put their own laundry away and my husband puts ours away.
Working out -- I go to yoga once or twice per week. I swim laps with my daughter 3 times per week after school. I am looking at adding in more workouts per week probably in the mornings.
Errands -- I am in the car quite a bit so I can drop into the post office or make a return pretty easily.
Cleaning -- hire a cleaning service. Ours comes weekly. They do the heavy cleaning, change, and wash the bed linens. In between, I do precious little. Clean up after cooking and keep clutter to a minimum. Kids pitch in more as well. Mine sort their laundry, put away clean laundry, neaten and straighten bedrooms, and other chores as assigned.
Cooking -- Meal planning, crockpot meals, and very pared down dinners make healthy eating pretty easy. We do not eat out during the work week. We do eat out on weekends mostly for lunches. I usually make a big main dish on Sunday for dinner and it becomes another dinner or some lunch portions. Our school does not have a cafeteria so I also pack lunch every day. Trying to get my husband to tell me when he doesn't have lunch plans the next day so I can make his lunch as well.
Laundry -- I start laundry on Friday night when I am still in work mode. By the time I go to bed, I have washed and dried usually 2 loads at least. I continue moving laundry along on Saturday morning. I wash and dry everything and then I fold everything. Kids put their own laundry away and my husband puts ours away.
Working out -- I go to yoga once or twice per week. I swim laps with my daughter 3 times per week after school. I am looking at adding in more workouts per week probably in the mornings.
Errands -- I am in the car quite a bit so I can drop into the post office or make a return pretty easily.
Anonymous
05/30/2014 19:07
Subject: Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'm a single mom of two working full time, but home one day a week.
I cook two big meals on Sunday and freeze half. For example, tonight is eggplant parm that I made last Sunday. I also do bulk healthy snacks (carrots, melon, pineapple) on Sundays so on it's always on hand. The rest of the week is easy, health meals (omelets, grilled chicken with 2steamed veggies, etc). Work on developing a meal plan so you can cut your effort in half. We order in pizza the last Friday of the month (yay tonight!), otherwise I cook every night or eat leftovers.
Laundry starts the night before the day i work from home after the kids go to bed and I finish through the next day.
And I just started working out again at home with videos and weights.
I clean up every night. Alternate light and deep cleaning every other weekend.
I pay someone to mow the lawn.
You are my hero. Really. kudos to you for doing all this on your own.
I agree!
Anonymous
05/30/2014 18:54
Subject: Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
No workouts. I try to walk to the copier enough during the day to get enough "steps" on my fit bit. I only get my hair cut 2x year, and have basically been wearing it up for 6years. DH works in Baltimore so he gets up early and is home late. DD is in aftercare until 5:30 every day and I pick her up and make dinner every night. For meals, we eat mostly vegetable based dishes which are easy to prepare. Salads, bean soups, etc. I sometimes make a big batch of something on the weekend and freeze it in portions. I clean and do laundry most of the weekend in while DH takes DD to her activities.
We have no household help.
I'm tired and do very little for myself. But it is doable, and you get used to it once you get the logistics of drop off and pick up from school. I only have one child so that makes a big difference. Best wishes, OP!
We have no household help.
I'm tired and do very little for myself. But it is doable, and you get used to it once you get the logistics of drop off and pick up from school. I only have one child so that makes a big difference. Best wishes, OP!
Anonymous
05/30/2014 16:58
Subject: Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
Anonymous wrote:I work from home much of the time and put loads of laundry in while home. Nanny folds clothes and husband washes clothes and folds laundry beyond his own on occasion ( a special occasion is when he puts it away where it belongs also!).
Cooking...I do the best I can. We could eat healthier...one day I will make a healthy quinoa dish another day frozen pizza. We do Chipotle or Thai or Peruvian chicken about twice a week. My husband cooks maybe once a month. When he not working til 11pm he picks up the takeout food mentioned above.
Nanny keeps downstairs in decent condition during the week. Beyond that I am mainly the one picking up after the kids after dinner and before bedtime. Husband tends to step over it all and veg out on TV. When not working a late shift he puts them to bed. I also help the nanny pick up in the mornings some before I start work (mail clutter on the table etc.). I clean the upstairs mainly solo...kids rooms included. Oldest is 4 and is more helpful now with picking up toys, clothes, books, wiping things down, feeding pets and watering plants etc.
Work out? On rare occasions I get up before I start getting the kids up and ready and workout on our treadmill. When I work from home sometimes on lunch break or after work I will go for a walk with the kids or ride a bike with my son in our subdivision. Evenings after dinner sometimes we do a kiddy exercise video or just put on music and dance. I need to get up at 6 and workout. When I do get up before everyone else I often use that as time to declutter or take care of some business on the computer like pay bills, schedule medical appts etc. or get myself ready. When I go into the office I try to walk at lunch outside or in the building. Clearly not enough as I am majorly overweight.
My husband could do a lot more but we have been fighting over that since we got married even before the additional work of kids. He will do good for a while after a fight and then resort back to his laziness. With his shifts he has some weekdays off, works some weekends, doesn't go in until 2pm or 11am some days. On those days he goes in later or is off he has a tendency to sleep in til 11am or not get up and help with the kids even though i have to be at work at 9am even if signing on from home. Pisses me off...thought sometimes I am ok with it because he handles the evening bedtime routine and I chill out then. I am better with mornings so sometimes I am ok with that. Though I think the franticness of getting everyone up and dressed and one off to school on time and me to work on time is more stressful. I often start my work day at 9am not having showered or gotten myself together yet as I am too busy getting everyone else together. Sometimes I shower at lunch.
I am still trying to find my groove really. I know I need to get up early and use some time more productively than relaxing....thought sometimes when there is spare time I just want to RELAX.
oh we do have a cleaning service once a month and a lawn service.
Anonymous
05/30/2014 16:56
Subject: Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
I work from home much of the time and put loads of laundry in while home. Nanny folds clothes and husband washes clothes and folds laundry beyond his own on occasion ( a special occasion is when he puts it away where it belongs also!).
Cooking...I do the best I can. We could eat healthier...one day I will make a healthy quinoa dish another day frozen pizza. We do Chipotle or Thai or Peruvian chicken about twice a week. My husband cooks maybe once a month. When he not working til 11pm he picks up the takeout food mentioned above.
Nanny keeps downstairs in decent condition during the week. Beyond that I am mainly the one picking up after the kids after dinner and before bedtime. Husband tends to step over it all and veg out on TV. When not working a late shift he puts them to bed. I also help the nanny pick up in the mornings some before I start work (mail clutter on the table etc.). I clean the upstairs mainly solo...kids rooms included. Oldest is 4 and is more helpful now with picking up toys, clothes, books, wiping things down, feeding pets and watering plants etc.
Work out? On rare occasions I get up before I start getting the kids up and ready and workout on our treadmill. When I work from home sometimes on lunch break or after work I will go for a walk with the kids or ride a bike with my son in our subdivision. Evenings after dinner sometimes we do a kiddy exercise video or just put on music and dance. I need to get up at 6 and workout. When I do get up before everyone else I often use that as time to declutter or take care of some business on the computer like pay bills, schedule medical appts etc. or get myself ready. When I go into the office I try to walk at lunch outside or in the building. Clearly not enough as I am majorly overweight.
My husband could do a lot more but we have been fighting over that since we got married even before the additional work of kids. He will do good for a while after a fight and then resort back to his laziness. With his shifts he has some weekdays off, works some weekends, doesn't go in until 2pm or 11am some days. On those days he goes in later or is off he has a tendency to sleep in til 11am or not get up and help with the kids even though i have to be at work at 9am even if signing on from home. Pisses me off...thought sometimes I am ok with it because he handles the evening bedtime routine and I chill out then. I am better with mornings so sometimes I am ok with that. Though I think the franticness of getting everyone up and dressed and one off to school on time and me to work on time is more stressful. I often start my work day at 9am not having showered or gotten myself together yet as I am too busy getting everyone else together. Sometimes I shower at lunch.
I am still trying to find my groove really. I know I need to get up early and use some time more productively than relaxing....thought sometimes when there is spare time I just want to RELAX.
Cooking...I do the best I can. We could eat healthier...one day I will make a healthy quinoa dish another day frozen pizza. We do Chipotle or Thai or Peruvian chicken about twice a week. My husband cooks maybe once a month. When he not working til 11pm he picks up the takeout food mentioned above.
Nanny keeps downstairs in decent condition during the week. Beyond that I am mainly the one picking up after the kids after dinner and before bedtime. Husband tends to step over it all and veg out on TV. When not working a late shift he puts them to bed. I also help the nanny pick up in the mornings some before I start work (mail clutter on the table etc.). I clean the upstairs mainly solo...kids rooms included. Oldest is 4 and is more helpful now with picking up toys, clothes, books, wiping things down, feeding pets and watering plants etc.
Work out? On rare occasions I get up before I start getting the kids up and ready and workout on our treadmill. When I work from home sometimes on lunch break or after work I will go for a walk with the kids or ride a bike with my son in our subdivision. Evenings after dinner sometimes we do a kiddy exercise video or just put on music and dance. I need to get up at 6 and workout. When I do get up before everyone else I often use that as time to declutter or take care of some business on the computer like pay bills, schedule medical appts etc. or get myself ready. When I go into the office I try to walk at lunch outside or in the building. Clearly not enough as I am majorly overweight.
My husband could do a lot more but we have been fighting over that since we got married even before the additional work of kids. He will do good for a while after a fight and then resort back to his laziness. With his shifts he has some weekdays off, works some weekends, doesn't go in until 2pm or 11am some days. On those days he goes in later or is off he has a tendency to sleep in til 11am or not get up and help with the kids even though i have to be at work at 9am even if signing on from home. Pisses me off...thought sometimes I am ok with it because he handles the evening bedtime routine and I chill out then. I am better with mornings so sometimes I am ok with that. Though I think the franticness of getting everyone up and dressed and one off to school on time and me to work on time is more stressful. I often start my work day at 9am not having showered or gotten myself together yet as I am too busy getting everyone else together. Sometimes I shower at lunch.
I am still trying to find my groove really. I know I need to get up early and use some time more productively than relaxing....thought sometimes when there is spare time I just want to RELAX.
Anonymous
05/30/2014 16:30
Subject: Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
With your youngest being 5, how old are these kids and how many do you have?
I have my 8yr old doing chores. He is responsible for putting his own clothes away, cleaning his room, unloading the dishwasher each morning, and feeding and watering the dog.
I have my 8yr old doing chores. He is responsible for putting his own clothes away, cleaning his room, unloading the dishwasher each morning, and feeding and watering the dog.
Anonymous
05/30/2014 15:21
Subject: Re:Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
You also need to think about encouraging more independence in your kids. They can do homework in the kitchen while you cook (or better yet do it themselves in after care), do laundry, help with cleaning up, etc. Everyone in my family pitches in, and that way we can have more free time to do fun stuff as a family.
Millions of families do this. You can too but it takes some trial and error and you need to put some thought into where you can gain efficiency.
Millions of families do this. You can too but it takes some trial and error and you need to put some thought into where you can gain efficiency.
Anonymous
05/30/2014 15:02
Subject: Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
I've started using thefresh20.com for meal planning. It's a little bit more prep work than they say but it keeps life easy.
Anonymous
05/30/2014 14:06
Subject: Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
Cook - husband and I take turns cooking, and we usually do very simple meals (hamburgers, spagetti, grilled chicken, tacos, etc.) that can be prepared in 30 mins or less.
Cleaning - We all are responsible for picking up during the week - boys pick up their toys, husband and I keep other rooms tidy. We don't do "deep" cleaning like vaccuuming or mopping floors - we have the Merry Maids come every other week for that.
Laundry - Husband does it.
Work out - after dinner, when kids are in bed or else in morning before work.
Cleaning - We all are responsible for picking up during the week - boys pick up their toys, husband and I keep other rooms tidy. We don't do "deep" cleaning like vaccuuming or mopping floors - we have the Merry Maids come every other week for that.
Laundry - Husband does it.
Work out - after dinner, when kids are in bed or else in morning before work.
Anonymous
05/30/2014 13:49
Subject: Re:Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
I've outsourced everything, including working out. Kidding but I really have outsourced most things. The only thing I do is grocery shopping because I like to be in control of what my family eats.
Anonymous
05/30/2014 13:42
Subject: Re:Working moms, when do you cook, clean, do laundry, work out???
Anonymous wrote:If I started a thread asking people to post their favorite weekday recipes, would people contribute? or does such a thread already exist? this is the thing i struggle with most as a working mom (whose husband does very little around the house, but thats a separate issue). when i try to cook in bulk, it never freezes well.
Check out the Food forum, lots of threads on this and lots of good ideas. The trick for us is to rely on leftovers, and cook some things the night before. I enjoy my kitchen when the kids are in bed and I can relax and cook something. Lots of 20 minute recipes that are healthy - we do mainly vegetarian and do things like veggie lasagna, quiche, soups, quinoa and beans, etc. Also like to do some chicken dishes in the crockpot on weekends.