Maybe it’s because dinner comes at the end of the day, maybe it’s because it overlaps with a spouse’s return from work, or maybe it’s just because we have to tackle it every day, but some of us find ourselves quite flummoxed by the simple concept of supper. 

I’ve had a few discoveries over the course of the last two years as a working mother, but our readers are sure to contribute many more ideas to my list.  Also, check out last week’s post for some more tips. 

Use a slow cooker: If you got enough sleep to feel somewhat rested in the morning, you can throw a bunch of stuff into a crock pot and forget about dinner entirely for the rest of the day.  I was a little hesitant about embracing the crock pot, but my zealous friends won me over—and I’m glad they did.

Consider prepared foods:  While canned soups or boxes of cous-cous aren’t made from scratch and can be expensive, having them in your cupboard could prevent you from eating out.  There are also several organic options for prepared foods available and you can even find some of them at discount stores like Grocery Outlet!  You can also make your baking mixes ahead to create your own convenience food.

Don’t cook at all:  We can survive on what we have without cooking if we have to—and we should if skipping the dinner prep means getting a much-needed nap.  Have microwaved oatmeal, salad with sunflower seeds, or a peanut butter sandwich for dinner, and allow yourself the luxury of grazing instead of cooking. 

What are your tips for handling the dinner dilemma?  Do you freeze meals, cook ahead or actually enjoy making dinner?  We’d love to hear your stories!