De-Stress Weeknight Dinners: Three Ridiculously Easy Steps • diy mama

I’ve started out a new series with my friend Chanda where we’re sharing advice and tips for parents on each other’s sites. Today she’s sharing how to de-stress weeknight dinners with three ridiculously easy steps for families that are ready to throw in the towel at 6p.

When was the last time you were cleaning up dinner and thought to yourself, “well that was just a lovely and enjoyable experience?…the kids were good, my food was tasty, and I’m not clock watching until their bedtimes?”

With three kids and my husband working long hours, our weeknight dinners had me feeling like I was in the middle of a Top Chef Quickfire challenge only to deliver plates to an unrealistic and unruly table of tiny judges…

I Was Coming In Defeated

I felt like the odds were always stacked against me because…

I had zero gas left in my tank to put a decent meal together…

The kids wanted my attention and would go to def comb 4 to get it from me…

By the time my husband walked in the door…

I gave him all the negative feels because why on Earth was he so lucky to get to leave this stress-filled cluster each day??

Then She Crushed Me With Her Words

Our daughter delivered a truth-filled statement that changed it all…

Quickly…

“Mom I wish you would spend more time with me.”

Ugh, nothing like eating a lesson by one of your own whom you are supposed to be super parenting…

She was right…but her specific request surprised me.

“Will you teach me how to cook?”

My Mom Mindset Was Wrong All Along

Oddly it never occurred to me that prepping dinner could be the ONE space in the day where we could connect because it was always so stressful. It never crossed my frazzled mom mind that dinner could be a time of gathering with joy, laughter, and it could even be a time for me as a mom to decompress from the day too!

So that’s what we decided to do. Together, we created a weekly meal plan experience. It did not take long at all for the evening tone to change in the house and not long before her siblings wanted in on the action too. This wasn’t your average Monday-Friday meal plan though…

The Clock Watching Stopped

Wanna know what else happened mama?

I stopped clock watching which meant I was truly in the moment with my kids.

And…

I started greeting my hard-working husband with the appreciation he deserved.

The good news?

You do not need a 5 part online course to do this. You do not need to join a mom mastermind. Mama, just start with these three basic steps THIS WEEK and build from there. You are going to plan a meal experience!!!

Rise Up Mom And Do These!

Step #1.

Schedule two things in your calendar right now! The first is your Sunday planning session where you are going to choose a recipe and map out the kids’ participation. It should take no more than 20 mins. The second is to pick one night this coming week where you’re going to implement your new plan. We love Wednesday just because we don’t have sports and it breaks up the week! Lastly, on this step is to announce it to the family! Maybe post it on the fridge or chalkboard wall it-doesn’t matter just build the hype something fun is coming this week!

Step #2.

Choose a recipe that contains 5 ingredients or less so it’s easier to plan.

My plate licker lasagna is a great option. Just sub in regular no-boil lasagna if not gluten-free!

Step #3.

One you pick the recipe, plan three different activities that give your kids a chance to be a part of the fun! For example, if making the lasagna from above here’s how I’d plan out the kids’ roles:

-Ingredient scavenger hunt! Kids bring you what’s needed to create the dish. If you have little littles, place ingredients safely where they can reach ahead of time.

-Kids wash hands and begin layering lasagna ingredients once you’ve browned your ground beef. One kid is head of cheese. One is the head of noodles. One is head of the sauce department, you get the picture. Teamwork makes the dream work.

-While lasagna is baking, your sous chefs can help set the table and could even set out menus made on Canva or even have them draw out their own menus to place. My kids especially love this step because they feel like they are running a restaurant!!

I Want You To Win!

Is it always sunshine and rainbows every weeknight in our house? No, but I know that I can count on at least one night of the week where dinner is enjoyable. Where I am banking memories with my kids while they learn vital life skills. One night each week as a Mom, I feel like taking a huge victory lap around my kitchen.

One day I hope our daughter will understand how her comment to me, changed our family dynamic for the better and I hope it helps you too mama because I want you to win dinner time too so it helps you look back on these younger years with joy not regret.

Head over to The Mundil Method to download your free lasagna meal plan experience example. It has everything you need to get started including shopping list, kids’ scavenger hunt, place card settings and more!

About The Author

Chanda Mundil is an Indianapolis mother of three (11, 7, 5 yo) and wife to her college sweetheart. She knows a thing or two about stressful dinners because on a nightly basis has to navigate 30 food allergies and gluten sensitivities. She is passionate about helping families plan fun yet safe meal experiences and is always eager to continue food allergy awareness. Follow Chanda on Instagram and check out other fun blog posts.