Eliminating Dinnertime Stress

In today's busy family, dinnertime can often be a time of stress and commotion, instead of the relaxing family experience that we want it to be. But even the busiest family can eliminate some of the stress of dinnertime by following a few simple guidelines.

Plan a weekly menu

Few things in life are more stressful than coming home after a long day and realizing that there are 4 hungry people in the house and nothing in the house to make for dinner. This stress can be avoided simply by taking a few minutes at the beginning of each week to plan out a menu for that week's meals. Be sure to plan any side dishes and desserts in addition to the main entrée.

Make a detailed grocery list, and stick to it

Once the menu is planned, a grocery list should be easy to compile. Check the fridge and pantry to see what ingredients are already on hand, and what items are missing. Then buy everything on the list - don't skip items to buy "later," and don't buy things that the family doesn't need. This will not only prevent the stress of finding out at the last minute that there is no milk in the house, but it will also save money.

Skip the microwave

What? Can that be right? Isn't the microwave supposed to make life easier? In theory, yes - but in reality, the microwave can add stress to your evening. When we microwave, we tend to put things off until the last minute, because we know that the microwave will get it done quickly. As a result, we end up pulling the rolls out of the oven at the same time that the pasta is finished cooking, and then in the middle of it all the microwave beeps, indicating that it's time to stir the peas. Stovetop cooking may take a little longer, but it's much less stressful.

Double recipes when possible

If soup is on the dinner menu for the evening, double the recipe and store the extra in the freezer to reheat for a future dinner. The same goes for lasagna, meatballs, pies, breads, and countless other foods. Then on an evening when nothing is going right and there simply hasn't been time to get dinner started, simply toss the leftovers in the oven to reheat for a delicious meal. Even if the meal won't hold up well in the freezer, it may make a terrific lunch for the following day if stored in the fridge.

Have everyone pitch in

Too often, the bulk of the work at dinnertime falls on one parent or the other. That parent, usually the mom, must do the cooking, set the table, pour the drinks, and then clean the kitchen afterward. While it may not seem like much, all of those things added together can be incredibly stressful. Ask the family to pitch in. The kids can set the table while Dad pours the drinks, and everyone can clear his or her own place at the end of the meal. These simple acts can drastically cut down on dinnertime stress, while at the same time promoting family togetherness and teamwork. Everybody wins.