Remember life as a newlywed? You vaguely knew you would have to cook, but hey, your husband could cook, and maybe you'd eat dinner out sometimes.

Now, three or four kids later, you barely have time to shop for the food, much less prepare it! Need help? Ginny and Mary Ellen have solutions and more on today's podcast.

Show Notes:

Struggling to find time to plan and prepare meals?

Use the KISS Meal Plan: Keep it Simple, Stupid

1. Remember, leftovers are your friend - Find ways to stretch one meal into two.

* If your family goes through one pound of pasta at dinner, make two. Have it for lunch the next day or for dinner two days from now. - Add some cheese and make mac and cheese, or red sauce, a bit of meat, and some pizza cheese, and make poor man's lasagna.

* If you buy a rotisserie chicken, put the carcass in a slow cooker with veggies and have soup later in the week.

2. Want to have a salad every night?

* Want the health benefits, but don't feel like preparing one? Make a big salad one night. Store it in the fridge in a covered container with a napkin or paper towel in it.

* The paper absorbs moisture, keeping the salad fresh.

3. Think simple

* Nothing is easier than baked potatoes; wash them, prick with a fork, and bake.

* Fancy potato dishes can wait until the kids get older.

4. Teaching Life Skills through Meal Prep

* At four years old, teach your oldest to set the table, and it's off your to-do list forever.

* Kids are more likely to try a food they have helped prepare.

* Teach your primary school children to:

• Scrub potatoes
• Peel and chop veggies
• Dip cutlets in eggs and bread crumbs
• You are teaching them your family's heritage

5. Food choices

Our children have an obesity problem and need to eat healthier foods. Here are some hints:

• Serve fresh, healthy food first. Let kids make a fruit or veggie tray as an appetizer.
• One menu only – this is dinner –take it or leave it.
• Have to take a taste.
• Enjoy food with your children.

6. Mealtime manners

• Children's likes and dislikes are not proper table talk; if the child doesn't like something, the correct way to express that is, "No thank you," when the food is offered.
• No eating before grace
• No reaching
• No disgusting behavior like chewing with your mouth open
• Don't hunch over food – no one is coming to steal it from you
• No screens, just conversation – 3 things you are thankful for; someone you helped today
• Ask to be excused
• Rules like placing your napkin on your lap or using utensils instead of your fingers to pick up food may seem overly formal for family meals. But today's young adults report feeling uncomfortable when they have to attend business luncheons.

7. After dinner

• Everyone clears their own place
• An older child or parent rinses and stacks
• Younger child loads the dishwasher
• A child wipes the table and fixes the chairs
• The floor is swept
• Consider setting the table for tomorrow's breakfast

Homeschooling Resources

Seton Home Study School

Seton Testing Services