Working Moms Club

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Now that I have seen other posts by part-timers, I don’t feel so bad joining now…

I am a part-timer, and self-employed. I teach private violin, viola, and cello lessons. At any rate, I have figured out a few methods of preparing dinner ahead of time (including my favorite crock-pot dinners) and keeping my hours sane and quick-to-reheat dinners in the freezer.

Today, though, I feel bad about cancelling lessons for a second day this week. I am pregnant with our first and have a nasty cold that has somewhat let up (finally… in its third day!) but I am still having trouble with congestion/runny nose/watering eyes. I don’t want to expose students to this cold, so I think it would be best to cancel and try to recover over the weekend… but I am feeling a little guilty, like I owe it to these kids to come in and teach them. Any comments?
 
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captaincatholic:
Now that I have seen other posts by part-timers, I don’t feel so bad joining now…

I am a part-timer, and self-employed. I teach private violin, viola, and cello lessons. At any rate, I have figured out a few methods of preparing dinner ahead of time (including my favorite crock-pot dinners) and keeping my hours sane and quick-to-reheat dinners in the freezer.

Today, though, I feel bad about cancelling lessons for a second day this week. I am pregnant with our first and have a nasty cold that has somewhat let up (finally… in its third day!) but I am still having trouble with congestion/runny nose/watering eyes. I don’t want to expose students to this cold, so I think it would be best to cancel and try to recover over the weekend… but I am feeling a little guilty, like I owe it to these kids to come in and teach them. Any comments?
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Welcome CaptainCatholic!
Congratulations on the addition. Sorry you have got a cold. Good idea cancelling and not sharing the cold. Make sure you drink a lot and if possible use the nasal saline spray. (I remember that was the only things I used when pregnant with DS and had a cold)

Now that so many have mentioned the crock pot. I better bring mine up from the basement. The only trouble is I am away for 10.5 hours and as a result even on low things get dried our or burned. Should look out for one with a timer.
 
OOOOhhhhhhh… 10.5 hours is a LONG time for many a crockpot dinners, but it might help to cook things like dried beans, etc. Also, I like to microwave veggies and put in at the last minute, or even put frozen leftover soups in if I will be away all day. It is yummy if you don’t mind soft soups!
 
Gwyn said:
)

Now that so many have mentioned the crock pot. I better bring mine up from the basement. The only trouble is I am away for 10.5 hours and as a result even on low things get dried our or burned. Should look out for one with a timer.
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I just put a little extra liquid in if I have to crock pot it for more than 8-10 hours. Some dinners actually call for a 10 hour cook time, so maybe you could use if for those types of dinners???

Maybe we can hear of some good crock pot recipes? I’ll go search my recipe file, and post later. All the kids are up and wanting me!!
 
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Gwyn:
Now that so many have mentioned the crock pot. I better bring mine up from the basement. The only trouble is I am away for 10.5 hours and as a result even on low things get dried our or burned. Should look out for one with a timer.
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I had this problem too, but one of my friends told me she will set it to cook overnight while she’s asleep. She will put it in the fridge in the morning when she gets up, and then just reheat it for a few minutes before dinner time.
 
Hello. Its Monday again. How time flies.
Yesterday I did bring up the crock pot and make some meat pasta sauce. (DH saw the crock pot and got all excited thinking it was chili)
We had rain all weekend so did not get any yard work or outdoor stuff done. Did get some cleaning done and the normal chores. We did go to Pasta night in the church hall on Saturday night. Our pastor is a hockey fan so many stayed late to watch the game after.
How was everyone else’s weekend?
 
I ask you ladies…whether working at home or away…is there anything you’d love more than someone to plan and cook dinner for you every night!!! I find I get so tired of trying to come up with ideas for things that everyone in my family wants to eat so that my time, effort & $ don’t go down the drain (esp. since I usually don’t even eat dinner). Then there’s the chaos of the dinner hour…cooking in-between car-pools to multiple sports’ practices, homework, religious ed.classes, etc…For a while I was doing well–cooking dinner @ 10am and re-heating at night to avoid all the commotion, but my schedule of late has not allowed for that. Then there’s always the joy of coming down after everyone’s in bed to find a kitchen full of dirty pots, pans and dishes…:banghead: ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!

(thanks for letting me vent, I feel much better!!!)
 
Island Oak—

I feel your pain—especially the part about dirty dishes in the sink. Usually, I get my 2 older ones to clean kitchen, but if it’s a busy “extracurricular” day–forget it–Mom is stuck with it.

BTW, just put a delicious pork roast in the crock pot. Here’s recipe.

Brown pork roast
Spray crock pot with cooking oil
Place pork roast (shoulder is best, sometimes I use butt roast)
Place mushrooms and onion around pork
Mix 1 12oz jar of pork gravy and 1 6 oz can tomato paste with Italian seasonings together—pour over pork and veggies
Cover and cook on Low setting 8 to 10 hours

I serve with rolls, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Tonight, I might use instant potatoes, but usually I cook potatoes up at night, and then leave in water in frig. Then, I just put them on stove to heat up once I get home from work.

This is my family’s favorite “crock” meal.

Gotta go----Busy, busy day!
 
Island Oak:
I ask you ladies…whether working at home or away…is there anything you’d love more than someone to plan and cook dinner for you every night!!! I find I get so tired of trying to come up with ideas for things that everyone in my family wants to eat so that my time, effort & $ don’t go down the drain (esp. since I usually don’t even eat dinner). Then there’s the chaos of the dinner hour…cooking in-between car-pools to multiple sports’ practices, homework, religious ed.classes, etc…For a while I was doing well–cooking dinner @ 10am and re-heating at night to avoid all the commotion, but my schedule of late has not allowed for that. Then there’s always the joy of coming down after everyone’s in bed to find a kitchen full of dirty pots, pans and dishes…:banghead: ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!

(thanks for letting me vent, I feel much better!!!)
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Welcome Island Oak!
I sure hear you and feel your pain.
"I get so tired of trying to come up with ideas for things that everyone in my family wants to eat so that my time, effort & $ don’t go down the drain " I have a very hard time pleasing both my DH and DS. DH loves spicy Indian food, Thai will do. However DS does not want spice and prefers pastas, mashed potatoes and roast… Very hard to please.

"Then there’s always the joy of coming down after everyone’s in bed to find a kitchen full of dirty pots, pans and dishes…:banghead: "ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!
Yikes I clean the kitchen and go to bed. But when I come down in the morning 😦 it is a mess. because DH comes home late and … or he comes down for a snack. Dirty dishes in sink, crumbs on counter, icecream stains…

I love cooking and planning but for a change I really wish it were appreciated and eaten.
 
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Giannawannabe:
Island Oak—

I feel your pain—especially the part about dirty dishes in the sink. Usually, I get my 2 older ones to clean kitchen, but if it’s a busy “extracurricular” day–forget it–Mom is stuck with it.

BTW, just put a delicious pork roast in the crock pot. Here’s recipe.

Brown pork roast
Spray crock pot with cooking oil
Place pork roast (shoulder is best, sometimes I use butt roast)
Place mushrooms and onion around pork
Mix 1 12oz jar of pork gravy and 1 6 oz can tomato paste with Italian seasonings together—pour over pork and veggies
Cover and cook on Low setting 8 to 10 hours

I serve with rolls, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Tonight, I might use instant potatoes, but usually I cook potatoes up at night, and then leave in water in frig. Then, I just put them on stove to heat up once I get home from work.

This is my family’s favorite “crock” meal.

Gotta go----Busy, busy day!
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Yum- DS and I would enjoy that. But Dh will take one look and walk away.
 
Well, it is Friday again. Great.
What chores have you planned to do this weekend?

I will do the regular ones - dusting, cleaning, laundry…
At least DH does the vacuuming (hopefully)
And I am hoping to attack some of the ones that I keep putting off - like washing the bath mats and curtains. Also may be start sorting out the nursery ( have never given away any of DS’s clothes or toys, in hope that we would have another one) that room is packed . Also if I get around to it start working on some sewing.
Of course Friday night is swimming lessons, Sat morning piano, Saturday afternoon is basketball. And somewhere in between I got to get groceries done.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY and enjoy some quality family time!
 
I have a question to respectifully ask of you working moms: How many of you would quit your jobs and stay at home if you could live comfortably on your husband’s income alone? I ask this simply out of curiosity - I have great admiration for all of you, and there’s no way I’m going near the “working mom/SAHM /who’s better ?” debate.
 
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Gwyn:
Well, it is Friday again. Great.
What chores have you planned to do this weekend?

I will do the regular ones - dusting, cleaning, laundry…
At least DH does the vacuuming (hopefully)
And I am hoping to attack some of the ones that I keep putting off - like washing the bath mats and curtains. Also may be start sorting out the nursery ( have never given away any of DS’s clothes or toys, in hope that we would have another one) that room is packed . Also if I get around to it start working on some sewing.
Of course Friday night is swimming lessons, Sat morning piano, Saturday afternoon is basketball. And somewhere in between I got to get groceries done.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY and enjoy some quality family time!
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Wow!!! I think you’ve got me beat. I actually have to work this morning, so I probably will come home to quite a mess. I’m not complaining, really!!! It’s just that when I work on Saturdays, everyone sleeps in and relaxes for the morning. I get home in the afternoon just in time to begin the family chores!!
Since I try to stick to a schedule (I outlined above)
Monday-dusting
Tuesday-tub/sinks

etc., we’re usually not in too bad of shape come Saturday. I think we’re going to pick out some pumpkins—we’re going to a fun pumpkin carving party tomorrow!!

Have a nice weekend.
 
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maendem:
I have a question to respectifully ask of you working moms: How many of you would quit your jobs and stay at home if you could live comfortably on your husband’s income alone? I ask this simply out of curiosity - I have great admiration for all of you, and there’s no way I’m going near the “working mom/SAHM /who’s better ?” debate.
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Well, actually, you have gone near the working mom/SAHM debate by posing this question. I’m not touching it. It will eventually close this thread.

As for weekend chores…well, there’s always the laundry because I don’t let DH touch mine or the children’s anymore. Then there’s the cooking/baking. I am thinking of a beef stew with homemade Italian bread. That doesn’t mean I will make them but I am THINKING about them! We are fixin’ to go fishing this afternoon. God is GREAT!
 
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Anonymous:
Well, actually, you have gone near the working mom/SAHM debate by posing this question. I’m not touching it. It will eventually close this thread.

QUOTE]

Of course you don’t need to respond…but your quote saddens me, and makes me wonder how Christian this forum really is, since you seem sure (and I don’t blame you) that my simple question will perforce morph into the same old minefield of political agendas and angry words it sounds like you’ve experienced regarding this topic. I would hope we all could do more listening, and less labeling and condemning.
.
As my husband and I decide which course to take with our own new family, I’d like to hear from any working moms willing to share their experience here…I am listening, and hope never to judge.
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maendem:
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Anonymous:
Well, actually, you have
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gone near the working mom/SAHM debate by posing this question. I’m not touching it. It will eventually close this thread.
QUOTE]

Of course you don’t need to respond…but your quote saddens me, and makes me wonder how Christian this forum really is, since you seem sure (and I don’t blame you) that my simple question will perforce morph into the same old minefield of political agendas and angry words it sounds like you’ve experienced regarding this topic…

Best wishes to you and your wonderful new family! How marvelous for you! Do you fish?

Well the fish were biting yesterday! What a blast! Too bad none were keepers. I guess it’s chicken again tonight! Anyone have a killer recipe for a chicken casserole they could cut and paste?
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Hello and Happy Monday, also Happy Halloween.
Well I did get some stuff done this weekend, not as much as I hoped to.
DS is really excited about Halloween. His class is having a pumpkin carving party (only healthy foods allowed - so I made fruit kabobs for the party) and of course little Halloween bags for his classmates to take home. They were allowed to wear black and/or orange to school instead of their uniform. Tonight he will dress as a fireman and go trick or treating. DH and DS carved our pumpkin yesterday, so we should be ready to go, once we get home from work/school and have dinner. We normally get 50 - 100 kids at our door.
Have fun everyone!
 
DS has a PD day tomorrow so I have taken the day off and we are headed to the Science Centre for the day.
So it is a long weekend for me.
Saturday, we will go for dinner to my Aunt’s as it is her 25th wedding anniversary.

Have a good weekend everyone!
 
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