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As soon as the clock hits 6:00, the kids are screaming for dinner. I have barely come in, taken off my jacket and they are tugging at my sleeve.

"Mom, we're starving!"

"Yeah mom, we haven't eaten anything for hours!"

This is the typical greeting I receive when I come in the door after a long day at work. Now, I know, that these same kids receive an after school snack between 4:30 and 4:45 when they get off the school bus. But then again, to a child, an hour and a half does feel like an eternity.

Usually at this time, I cannot afford to take the time to cook a good, healthy, homemade meal for my little darlings. I used to stress about this, and often resorted to hot dogs in the microwave and macaroni and cheese. I would feel guilty, I was already tired, and I know these feelings were evident to everyone.

Then, I had a thought. If I spent a few hours on Sunday afternoon, cooking up some healthy meals, I could freeze them, and have the baby sitter put the in the oven at a certain time. Boy, was that ever a revelation! I immediately planned my grocery shopping list to include meals to make for my new adventure. It was exciting to think of meals that I could make as a casserole and that can be thrown in the oven.

That first Sunday, I cooked up four meals. Friday is usually our "outing" day, or we order in, so I only had to plan four dinners. I made a lasagna, a chicken and rice casserole, tuna noodle, and a beef and vegetable dinner.

I made sure I left directions for the babysitter to put the ready-made dinner in the oven at 5:30pm. Now, when I arrive home, I can take five minutes to greet my children happily. Something I never really did before because I was always stressed about having too few hours in the evening. I then have five minutes in which I can go to my room and change into my "relaxing" clothes. It is then that I feel totally relaxed. I come into the kitchen, take out the casserole, and the kids and I set the table. Together.

The kids and I can now enjoy a happy, home made meal, typically much healthier than the choices I once thought I was left with. I am much more relaxed, and now I realize how much of it had to do with dinner. First, I had to decide what we were going to have. Then, I had to stress that it might not have been the best choice. Afterwords, I would spend a good half hour cleaning up. How things have changed! My mood is lighter, and I see now that my children's moods are deeply affected by my own. We are a much happier family!

Oh, and about that clean up- well we don't have any pots and pans since that was all done Sunday, and that casserole dish? I buy the foil pans at the grocery store, 2 for $1.00. Best buy I ever made!

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Metz.
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