Before I had my second child I was a hard pass on meal prepping. Spending my Sundays cooking a couple meals was not something I was interested in, it seemed time consuming and no matter how hard I try cooking is not something I enjoy. When I returned to work and had two kids in daycare I quickly realized buying lunch every day at work needed to stop, if I put the work in it was an easy way to save a significant amount of money each week. I tried taking leftovers at first or bringing a frozen meal but often wouldn’t end up eating it and would grab something from the cafeteria, which meant I was wasting food and spending money. Double fail. So I starting making an extra meal on Sunday just to bring for lunch each day. Here are some things I’ve learned…
Daycare series – Finding the right fit
Let’s talk daycare. My girls will be 3 years and 18 months old next month. They have both been in daycare since they were 12 weeks old. Before my girls daycare was a foreign concept to me, I was never in it and it wasn’t the choice for those closest to me with kids. Instead of trying to cram everything I’ve learned into one GIGANTIC post, I thought a series of posts about major moments I’ve gone through being a daycare mom would be easier to digest.
January slump
It’s the middle of January and the excitement of the new year has worn off. If I’m being totally honest it wore off January 2nd when I returned to work. December is a magical month, even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, being in the workforce, you’re most likely privy to office holiday parties, a general work attitude of “it can wait” and more days off than usual. Combine that with twinkling lights and any and all reasons to indulge and you’ve got yourself a holiday high.
Then all of the sudden, New Year’s Day is over and you’re forced back into reality like it never happened. You return to work groggy from your holiday hangover similar to the feeling of a screaming baby waking you in the middle of a deep sleep.
While I’m still struggling through like anyone else here are some simple things I’ve found that help:
- GET OUTDOORS – I live in Illinois so the weather is less than ideal in January, but sometimes you have to get outside and get that vitamin D. I go for a run outdoors when I can stand the frigid temps and my husband and I recently planned a weekend away up north to try snowboarding.
- TAKE TIME OFF – As a working mother I know how valuable PTO (paid time off) is and I usually hoard mine until the end of the year. My first company holiday of the year isn’t until May though and sometimes taking a day or two in January and February really helps my overall mood.
- GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK – I don’t make resolutions but I do try to return to a routine after the holidays. It’s not easy. No one’s perfect, it’s just important to keep trying!
How are you doing this winter Tuesday?
Find me on instagram @thestrugglingworkinmama
What’s in a name?
Like most, the second my husband and I found out we were pregnant we started thinking of baby names. If you’ve had a child you’ve probably seen the popular meme, “you never know how many people you dislike until you have to name a baby.” It’s not easy! Luckily with our first as soon as we found out it was a girl we were able to narrow the choices down to two pretty easily.