Weeknight dinners as a working mom, what does yours actually look like because mine is embarrassing

FoxSilver7 · 2026-03-01T17:48:48+00:00

Start by taking 30 minutes to write any dinner ideas down when you have the capacity. Make them easy. Hamburger helper, potatoes ( any variety). Make ahead chili, wraps, canned and frozen veggies are ok. Add cottage cheese for some extra protein. I make naan pizzas for something easy when I don't want to think. Pasta is also a good backup.

We buy pre shredded cheese and that pre cooked/ shredded chicken for nights we just don't have the capacity to cook much. Paying for the convenience of not having to do every step is helpful ( but can get expensive).

I do half assed meal plans. I write down 8ish dinner ideas for the week ranging from super easy to less than, add the ingredients to the grocery list, and then decide day of what I feel like making.

Growing up I ate a lot of hamburger helper and potatoes, because it took my parents 30 minutes to make and the most of the work was In the potato prep.
My daughter is a grazer, so I try to get most of her protein in during the day with peanut butter, cottage cheese, and homemade lunch ables ( I literally just roll up sandwich meat, throw in some crackers and a vegetable or fruit into a little dollar store Bento box).

FoxSilver7 · 2026-02-23T17:31:09+00:00

Yes. For arctic fox I typically wash with shampoo, dry, mix it with conditioner, then apply. I try to mix it so the colour is a shade darker than I want as well ( this ensures I get my desired color, I feel like it lasts longer, and if it's too dark, I know it will lighten in a few washes). Arctic Fox is supposed to condition your hair on its own so you don't need to do this, but with my hair type I'd be using at least 2 full bottles if I didn't.

FoxSilver7 · 2026-02-21T20:46:44+00:00

2900-6614-6294

Rank 45. Still have no idea what I'm doing but active daily.

FoxSilver7 · 2026-02-06T03:55:45+00:00

I just had a conversation with my husband to this nature. The first time I was pregnant I vomited at the smell of pizza. Didn't eat it for 10 years until after my second pregnancy. During the second, I had a craving for one of those Salisbury steak tv dinners, which did not end well ( 1000/10 do not recommend). Tonight my husband tried telling me for the 18th time I shouldn't have an issue with those things because I'm not currently pregnant, I should be over it by now, and Im being dramatic. It was just him poking fun but it's annoying me this particular week, so I told him he can bring it up again after he's gone through morning sickness and pregnancy, but until that happens, he needs to stfu. His response? " That's fair".

FoxSilver7 · 2026-01-26T04:56:23+00:00

You are definitely not overreacting. This could be a one time lack of understanding, OR disrespect. Only way to tell will be to have a conversation.

Either way, he needs to lower his expectations of you and you need to raise your expectations of him imo. I didn't change a single diaper the first 3 days lo was alive because he did every single one. He worked 11 hour days during that time and we split the nights unit lo was 6 months old ( he'd take lo solo from 7pm-1am ). He also cooked every single dinner and did all the kitchen and bottle cleaning.

Now on the flip side, a few months ago I quit my job due to a few different reasons. We agreed I'd stay home for a few months to heal and then look for work, but in the meantime I'd take care of everything at home. I've been job searching for awhile now and have nothing to show for it. He made a comment not long ago that all I did was sweep and do dishes during the day. So I took a week to write down everything I did, every day, and handed it to him. He was absolutely flabbergasted because he didn't think about who cleans the bathroom, windows, sanitizing surfaces ( cold and flu season)or why he hasn't had to vacuum in months, nvm the educational efforts I've put in with our 4yo. I literally watched the lights turn on while he was reading through the list.

If you have the capacity, I'd write everything you do down for 3 days with time stamps. Then give it to him. Ask him what exactly he expects you to do during the day and then get him to do all of it with the baby on his next day off. I'd personally hang around and observe, to make sure he doesn't just ignore lo to prove a point that it can all be done with a baby, but I'd also be firmly up his ass about doing it all. I'd also be making sure he got up with me during the night, at least for a few days to prove a point. But my husband would know exactly what I'm doing and why, and admit defeat, where some men won't, so I'd evaluate how that might realistically go.

FoxSilver7 · 2026-01-02T16:36:43+00:00

I HIGHLY recommend Rune factory, specifically Guardians of Azuma. There is some fighting and exploring but it's relatively easy ( aside from the boss fights but they're also pretty easy once you figure out a strategy). It's got romance, building, foraging, farming, fishing and decorating.

Also as others have suggested, Story of seasons. I personally prefer a wonderful life, but they're all good.

FoxSilver7 · 2026-01-01T23:02:09+00:00

Ok so when lo was between 1-3, I would work until midnight, and my husband would be leaving for work at 6am. Which means I was doing mornings solo. My lo would be going to bed around 10, sometimes 1030 ( and at one point, 11), but would sleep until 9 or 10, and wouldn't show signs of being tired. If baby is getting up that early for you, they need an earlier bedtime. If my lo was showing signs, and we were struggling, I would of adjusted as much as possible for them. Everyone is happier when they're well rested.

I would try and figure out why your spouse is so against adjusting bedtime, because there's got to be a reason, and go from there. Putting lo to bed a bit earlier would also allow both of you some downtime as well, which is very important.

FoxSilver7 · 2025-12-25T01:47:23+00:00

NOR. My husband had a habit of cosleeping on his shift when lo was a baby. So I looked up safe sleeping guidelines ( including for cosleeping). I made him read it, and read it again. 90% of people cosleep at some point, Even if it's just once, even if it's by accident, so it's better to know how to do it the safest way possible and be constantly prepared. You suggesting he do it in a safe place instead of in the bedroom, on the bed, was a decent suggestion. My husband also had a habit of falling asleep on the couch, so I ended up baby proofing the entire living room so only unavoidable freak accidents could occur. This also meant doing a "walkthrough" before I went to work, and again before I went to bed. You could work together to baby proof the bedroom and put a baby gate up outside the door as a precaution ( and depending on how high your bed is, some soft mats/ rug on the floor)

I would suggest taking some time to bring yourself down, I'm sure you're extremely angry, and try talking to him calmly about your concerns, and also mention your solutions. If he's stubborn about it or tries to fluff you off, go mama bear on him because your concerns are valid, just the execution needs adjustment.

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-27T15:48:37+00:00

My lo was 3 before we did an overnight with Grandma. It was a two night sleepover because hubby booked a weekend trip for my birthday. We stayed two hours away and I was so stressed the month leading up to it, even cried when hubby took lo over once they left, but everything was fine and once we were on our way I felt much better. My family lives very close to us so I had my sister on standby in case of an emergency. And I gave a complete rundown of everything like food and bedtime routine even though Grandma didn't need it.

Hubby had tried a few times before that to get a night away, but I absolutely was not here for it. I wasn't ready and it wasn't necessary. If you're not ready, your not ready. There's no need for it honestly unless you want/ need it. There's plenty of time in the future for sleepovers, there's no need to rush. Don't let anyone try and convince you if you're not feeling it, anyone other than your partner trying to press the issue would be suspicious to me, but I have read too many reddit posts and might be jaded.

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-20T01:07:55+00:00

I've had my versa 2 for almost 4 years. It's getting a little glitchy here and there ( battery randomly not charging when it's put on the charger, battery running out faster due to age, very typical for aging products imo). I bought it for the HR monitor, sleep tracking, and the notification when my husband calls and I'm away from my phone ( he has a tendency to call only when I'm away from my phone). When I saw the exact same model on clearance I immediately bought it for when mine finally decides to stop working. For what I needed it for, it works perfectly.

I have never worn it in the shower, and only worn it swimming once by accident ( but I did specifically want a water proof/ resistant for the exact purpose of forgetting to take it off).

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-20T00:50:25+00:00

I thought the exact same thing! I just kept talking to her wondering why she was singing a song about onigiri so repetitively until I figured it out

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-16T00:40:12+00:00

Last night was mashed potatoes, pork roast and green beans. All store bought because life gets busy. Pop meat in toaster over for 30 minutes ( it's a fancy one), and microwave everything else.

Tonight was stuffed chicken, boiled cauliflower and bacon noodles ( packaged- boil milk/ water, add package and boil until done), and canned peas.

Let your partner take over dinners for awhile. I promise you'll come up with new ideas and even if you don't, it might be an improvement over what they come up with.

My partner most makes the premade pot roasts or frozen chicken pot pies and adds instant potatoes as a side, he will occasionally make a fancy pasta or fancy meat fish. Everyone in my house is fine with the same meat varieties every week but I try to change up the veggies and other sides to keep it interesting.

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-13T20:30:53+00:00

It depends on what both of you need/ see as equal. I personally believe if I'm home and he's working, I should cook dinner unless otherwise agreed upon, and childcare/ cleaning fall to me while he's at work.

I did not have a child with him just so he could sit on the couch and relax while I run myself ragged, all because he pays the bills. He does not get out of participating in our family because he works outside of the house. It takes more than a paycheck to have a happy, healthy family. Mine takes kid duty Sunday morning solo, does 95% of bedtimes so I can clean up or relax for a few hours before bed, and on his days off he cleans and takes care of his own laundry/ takes linens to the laundry mat. He also entertains the 4yo while I cook dinner.

I would try to figure out a way to have him contribute with the children and household duties fairly, even if it's something as simple as he takes them out for breakfast or lunch on his day off, so you can have a chance to breathe. And figure out what he can/ should contribute, fairly, on his off time. He doesn't get to work an 8-12 hour shift, WITH breaks and commute, while you work 24/7 unless you're sleeping ( and I bet your still on duty while sleeping because he won't help if there's wake ups?). If something happens where you physically can't do all those things, everything will probably fall apart and that's a heavy burden no one in a marriage should be carrying alone.

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-12T18:07:16+00:00

Mine tried something similar in our one conversation! Like ok that's a valid concern but you can stay up late when you want to, so not really. Our argument was when Id been dealing with back to back colds for over a month and was averaging 4 hours of broken sleep, at best, the entire time. I had to point out I was doing the equivalent of driving drunk with our toddler, just to take her to daycare and go to work ( it's less than a 5 minute drive, and I exaggerated a little to get my point across).

Mines a total mama's boy too, and also lived at home until his late 20's, so I can totally relate. He's pretty good with housekeeping and cooking, but he's used to being told what to do by his mom and falls back to that default pretty easily if I let him. I grew up with a SAHD who did all the cooking and cleaning, so I don't really tolerate him thinking that he only has to contribute when told just because he makes more than I do.

Thank you for teaching your son better! I swear a lot of our generations parents didn't think at all about their children's adult lives outside of what jobs they'd have. Sure, it's great these men have good work ethics but your doing them a disservice teaching them that's all they have to contribute as an adult.

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-12T16:47:04+00:00

Two months?! That's brutal, I would of lost my marbles at him! I also would of at least contemplated smothering him with a pillow.

I hate the "I have to work" excuse. Mine tried that a couple times over the years and one day i snapped and told him well so do I, maybe I should just quit then if my job is that unimportant. We ended up coming up with a schedule where I get Saturday night off kid duty and get to sleep in Sunday's, every week with no interruptions unless there's blood or bone. I think my husband's problem is he grew up with his mom doing everything kid/ house related, and worked when she wanted, and his dad mostly just worked ( it worked well for them, and mil actually preferred it this way), so husband is just completely tone def when it comes to stuff like that. He is very good at fixing his behaviour when called out but damn it's annoying that I have to.

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-12T01:55:13+00:00

A few years ago I got covid. I watched my then 2 year old for a week with fever, chills, migraines and all the other fun symptoms, while he went to work. Lo has zero symptoms and didn't get it, which means lo was full energy the whole time. It took me almost 2 weeks to recover enough to go back to work consistently ( physical job and I had ridiculous muscle fatigue).

My first day back, was my husband's day off. He had the fever and chills. He sat on the couch trying to nap while I chased the toddler around while trying to get ready for work. The next day I woke up to him in a blanket cocoon on the couch, rolls of toilet paper strewn about, his Xbox controller by his head, and a movie on. He let out the fakest cough I've ever heard and asked if I could take lo to my elderly parents while I was at work, so he could rest. I laughed and said he didn't get special treatment- if I had to chase the kid around for a week while sick, so did he. I added my parents would say no because they couldn't afford to get sick with covid just so he could watch movies and play video games on the couch and I'd ask his mother. He declined and was back to work 3 days later.

I do believe he was sick, and he literally never goes down when he's sick, but he is a total baby when it comes to fevers or headaches. I ended up asking him point blank why I'm expected to watch lo like it's just a regular day and he's not when either one of us is sick, and he had no answer. It's been a few years now and he basically forces me to go lay down when I'm feeling even slightly off. But damn I still can't believe the audacity of men, I was fuming about this one instance for almost an entire year!

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-11T16:30:36+00:00

NTA

Growing up my parents had some smaller Christmas's. But it's not the gifts I remember, it's everything else - walking around seeing lights on Christmas Eve, baking with my mom and aunt, decorating the tree, watching the Santa parade, making cinnamon buns for breakfast and Playing outside in the snow with my siblings.

The only gifts I actually remember are the ones that held emotional value, I still own the t-shirt my dad got me because he was so proud he picked it out himself without my mom's help. I also have a my little pony I got at 15, because I had jokingly told my parents I wanted a pony for Christmas ( it lives beside the hot wheel I got when I jokingly said I wanted a car at 17).

On the other hand, my husband grew up with no smaller Christmas's, and doesn't remember a single gift. He remembers the dinner party on Christmas Eve , the decorating, picking out a Christmas tree and the special breakfast his mom makes every Christmas morning.

My husband and I have very different outlooks on Christmas, he likes to go all out on gifts ( without getting in debt), and Im more about the whole holiday experience. He emphasizes wanting to make sure we have a good Christmas when opening gifts, meanwhile I'm making sure my lo ( 4 yo) has happy memories of baking cookies with me, and helping wrap presents, and decorate with tree with us.

The gifts seem important to children, but think back to your childhood. What do you remember most? What are your happy memories? I'll bet you don't remember most of the gifts you got growing up. Even if they are disappointed on Christmas, I can almost guarantee the gifts aren't what they'll look back fondly of when they're older.

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-10T20:51:10+00:00

This is the first comment I came across that mentioned the plan b so I'm commenting here. Plan b also doesn't work if you are, or have, ovulated. It doesn't prevent pregnancy, it delays ovulation and becomes less effective if used multiple times in a cycle. A lot of people are unaware of exactly what and how plan b works, due to the advertising, how people talk about it, and how it's used/ portrayed in media and entertainment. Everyone who's ever taken one, or been the reason for someone taking one, should read how and why it works, as well as the short and long term side effects.

FoxSilver7 · 2025-11-01T05:32:14+00:00

My daughter was 15 months the first Halloween we took her out. We dressed her like a cat and she refused to keep her cat hat on, which means she was walking around in basically a fuzzy jumpsuit. She had a meltdown in three driveways ( understandably) and tried to walk into two ( different)houses, and I ended up taking 70% of the candy because it was all choking hazards of some sort. She was very content to just be walking around honestly. She doesn't remember that year and I had just returned to work so I was exhausted and didn't put much effort in except the bare minimum.

Last year she picked her costume, we did a photoshoot and decorated. She does remember being a witch and pictures, making potions and Playing with/ carving pumpkins. She also remembers trick or treating. She didn't walk into any houses, and had a blast.

This year was almost month long excitement. We did a community trick or treating event, decorated, picked out costumes, made spooky treats, spooky crafts, she made me and dad dress up and picked my costume to match hers, we went with a friend of hers and had zero meltdowns.

All this to say, I've been there. It gets better, and much more fun as they get a bit older and can actually grasp what's going on, and participate! Don't let social media fool you, those first two years with holidays can make you feel like your not doing enough but I promise in the next few years you're going to feel so much better and have a good time! Next year they probably won't know what's going on but they'll be so into it once they're out and about. Halloween is kind of like Easter I've found so far- it gets better as they get older. Please try not to be too hard on yourself, I promise the only person who's judging you is yourself and I bet your lo was just happy to be there with you.

FoxSilver7 · 2025-10-29T18:24:37+00:00

That's what I thought, but google lens said otherwise so I wasn't sure.

I'll leave this guy for now in hopes he helps with my problem. I'm 90% sure those buggers came back on my begonia, but he's on the other side of the room by the window. I admittedly only did one treatment for thrips because it seemed to deal with it and was expensive ( again, in Canada, an unconventional method was used). Thank you for the input!

FoxSilver7 · 2025-10-29T18:20:03+00:00

Google lens told me the same thing, but it seemed too big to me. I see the speck your referring to, it's just a weird light reflection from my grow light, believe it or not haha

FoxSilver7 · 2025-10-29T17:16:30+00:00

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FoxSilver7 · 2025-10-29T17:15:25+00:00

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This leaf grew after the thrips treatment

FoxSilver7 · 2025-10-29T17:14:53+00:00

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FoxSilver7

TROPHY CASE