Top Tips for busy parents

We all know how life can get super busy and sometimes the last thing you want to think about is getting food on the table.

Not long ago we asked you to complete a questionnaire, it was designed to learn more about you, and what you do to make your mealtimes just that little bit easier. After reading your ideas, we realised that they were too good not to share with the Good Little Eaters community.

These ideas will not only save you valuable time but also save you money! So, let’s see what great ideas you had!

Meal Planning

Meal or menu planning can be a real time saver. Some of you mentioned that doing this on a weekend as a shared task with the whole family works best. Where each family member shares their favourite meal which is added to the upcoming weeks menu.

Other families find it easier for one parent to plan the menu, shop online and click & collect.

• Your idea: “Plan meals on Sat and click and collect on Sunday (Hubby plans all dinners, so that has been the best bit!)”
• Your idea: “Meal plan board – with list of meals for the week”

Food Preparation

Put your favourite music on to cook up a storm on the weekend or simply cook up a large batch of bolognese to store or freeze. Either is a perfect way to help you during the week because the prep is done. Prep can include roasting up vegetables, cooking up meals or baking your favourite snacks. Chopping, grating or dicing extra foods during normal meal preparation can also be a great way to save time for the meals ahead.

• Your idea: “Pop all the ingredients for a meal into a basket to keep it all together”
• Your idea: “Some days when I’m home by myself with both children I’ll pack my older child a lunchbox (the night before or in the morning) and that’s his lunch and snacks for the day (plus additional fruit/veg snacks when desired). That way if we get home from an outing and I’m trying to get my younger down for a nap, I don’t have to spend time to make lunch for the older one as it’s already been prepared.”

Do What’s Quick & Easy

Everyone one loves quick and easy especially on those busy evenings. Here is a few simple ways to save your time and energy. Quick meals: Shelley’s One Pot Chicken Pasta is ready in less than 30 minutes and best of all uses just one pot. Feel free to use frozen or canned fruits or vegetables along with premade meatballs or bottle sauces to make a meal faster. Don’t forget the bulk cooked batch in the fridge or freezer (link to Reel – 5 ways to use bolognese).

• Your idea: “Using premade meatballs in a curry or Asian sauce instead of meat (easier for young kids to eat and less prep for me)”
• Your idea: “Use frozen veg, bulk out meals with canned lentils etc.”

Foods Okay for Dinner

And finally, when things get super hectic it is totally okay to make the simplest dinner that suits your family. That might be a bowl of cereal, toast with your favourite toppings, scrambled eggs or even takeaway.

• Your idea: “Removing the pressure to cook typical meals – scrambled eggs can be a balanced meal too”
• Your idea: “Accepting that sometimes it’s just a pasta and nuggets night”

We hope we have provided some useful hints and tips for you busy parents, that will benefit you and your family, and make you feel more at ease and organised for the week ahead. If you have any other great ideas jump across to Instagram and DM me to let me know!