It's a New Night

We have two new changes in our nighttime routine that, while seemingly simple, are having huge effects on our evenings.

First, we're having dinner together. Until Monday night, the kids and I would eat around 5:30 or so, with Mama getting home after 6:15-6:30 p.m., thereby missing dinner. But because the kids are staying up until 7:30 now, we realized that we could push dinner back just enough so that Mama could join us. Last night was our first official weekday dinner together. Sure, my timing was off because I started cooking too early and, yep, the kids were very hungry by dinnertime despite our concerted effort to have a real snack late in the day. But we all sat down together at 6:15 p.m., sang our family song (which we hadn't done in so long that I'd forgotten how it started), and then ate. Which means the kids got to spend quality time with Mama (because the house had already been cleaned and we could just eat and talk), Mama got to eat her meal hot when she was hungry (instead of an hour or so late), and I got some adult company for my last meal (instead of choosing with whom to eat, or worse, snacking on whatever with both). Big, positive change. And they even liked my first batch of homemade meatballs. (I can tell it's going to change the way I plan meals, but that will be a later post).

Secondly, we've totally altered how we handle getting ready for bed, which has always been the one occasion that causes stress in the house on a regular basis. The kids dawdle getting dressed, keep playing, act silly, refuse to accomplish teeth-brushing and final potty stops, all around frustrate our efforts to get them settled down for stories, which then makes Mama and I quite peevish. It's just not pretty. So now, we come upstairs, light the magic clock "green," at which point it stays green for 30 minutes. In that time they have to do everything they are supposed to so we can read stories. When the clock turns blue at the end of 30 minutes, we finish whatever book we are reading and tuck them in. If they hurry through all the clothes changing and teeth-brushing, they can get almost a full 25 minutes of reading. If they dawdle or refuse, and the clock turns blue, no books. Mama and I don't get involved--don't cajole, argue, insist, or yell--we simply monitor to make sure everything gets done. They are in control. So far, they have rushed to be ready and get as many books as possible, which means they are each getting 5-8 books read to them every night. And no one gets tense. I love that magic clock!

Unfortunately, all this is on hold for tonight because Mama has a late meeting and won't be home in time for dinner or bed.

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Homemade Turkey Meatballs

1 lb ground turkey

1 egg

1/3 -1/2 cup seasoned Italian breadcrumbs (or, if using plain, add salt, pepper and spices)

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350F. Combine ingredients and shape into balls. Place on cookie sheet (preferrably lined with foil) and bake for 25-30 minutes or until centers are no longer pink.

I might consider adding an extra egg and about 1/4 cup minced onion next time, for more moisture, as ground turkey is so dry.

Mommy Hungry