Using paper plates

[Justanothermama]

I'm seriously considering paper plates for myself and toddler for Monday to Friday while we are home alone together.

Right now I'm in such a pickle with organising life around a mischievous toddler that I find I'm always left with a huge washing up pile. I just want a break from it all 🙄

Anyone else ever feel like just one less burden could really improve their day?!

Roll on the day I get a dishwasher 😂

[bigbluedustbin]

It’s pretty bad for the environment. At least consider biodegradable or otherwise environmentally friendly alternative if you’re going to do this.

[confused123456]

Wash up after each meal. It's really not hard at all.

[Smitff]

Do you have space and money for a dishwasher?

[EatsFartsAndLeaves]

I have a small countertop dishwasher that just drains into the sink, it's brilliant! I'm also alone with a toddler, it's bloody hard to keep up with everything!

[Justanothermama]

Absolutely I'd use biodegradable if I did it.

[ZaphodBeeblerox]

Apart from the environment you'll get your toddler used to using paper crockery and that'll make it tricky to transition to grown up plates when they are older.

I use various tricks to minimise dishwashing - including eating in the bowl the food is warmed in etc. Could you leave the dishes for a partner to do at night?

[Justanothermama]

I hadn't considered a countertop dishwasher! I'll look into that - I had no idea such thing existed. We won't have space for a dishwasher until we get our kitchen re fit which is on the cards but will cost 12k so it's a future work in progress jobby.

In terms of "wash up after each meal it's not hard" if it was a simple case of that then I wouldn't be here questioning it. I'm struggling with juggling many things and this is what gets pushed to the way side. My son needs eyes on him constantly and he moves from one thing to the next very quickly, so even a couple minutes eyes off him and he can be up to anything. When he was tiny my kitchen was spotless, but once they start moving it's not so easy eh 😉

I have to put his needs first above things that can wait, you know?! There are more important things than clean dishes when it comes to children

[Justanothermama]

I can't expect my husband to do them to be honest. He works a very stressful job.

[SongBirdsKeepSinging]

I went through wanting to try this too op. I hate dishes lying around so I was constantly at the sink while dc played wrecked the house

When we did our kitchen and extension I told df that dh and I were just going to get a slimline dishwasher. He laughed for ages, told me to trust him and get a full size one. I did get it and boy am I glad I listened to him! This isn't at all helpful sorry I just wanted to pass on my dad's wisdom.

[Justanothermama]

That's so helpful thank you @songbirdskeepsinging. My son is very much the same. I've already had to install a lock on the dining room door to prevent escapes while I'm cooking which is another stress in itself. We have a kitchen leading on to dining room with access to the garden. I can't see him while washing up if he goes in the garden, which he inevitably wants to. It's just all one big fuzzy stress of "how can I cope with everything all at once".

I suffer from depression too so sometimes simple tasks seem harder than they are. I'm juggling so many balls right now, that I think logically I could make my life a tad easier you know 🤔

[Want2bSupermum]

You do what you need to do to get through tough spots. If paper plates make your day better then great. I use them sometimes when it's all a bit too much with my working FT with 3DC ages 6 and under and a DH who travels a lot.

However it's rare. It's not everyday and the DC know it as a picnic dinner. It happens about 2-3 times a year.

If you have one child and are struggling with the dishes you have a problem. Why can you not do the dishes after lunch?

[Want2bSupermum]

Ahh x post. I see you have depression. Are you being treated and is your treatment plan effective? If not I think it's worth going back to your doctor and evaluating that. Of course in the mean time use paper plates if that makes your day 'work'. I use the paper plates a lot for art projects that I do with my DC. They make fab masks.

[Justanothermama]

@want2bsupermum yeah I'm on the highest dose of citralopram right now. I'm ok on the moods front. Pretty level. But tasks seem so much harder than they are. Forward planning and organisation seems impossible right now. It's like anything beyond the here and now is a blur. But I'm a great mum and I spend every moment making sure he's having a good day. His perception of right and wrong / danger isn't the same as other children so he requires much more observing I'd say. He gets into things and I think "why or how did you even know or think to do that". The amount of 4 pints of milk I've had poured down the downstairs toilet while in the kitchen (fridge is in the open plan dining room).

[Want2bSupermum]

I would go back and have your plan reviewed. Your DC is a toddler and they do get into everything. We have a lock on our fridge, all kitchen cupboards and drawers are locked and all furniture except the sofa is attached to the wall. The coffee table went 5 years ago when DD was able to stand up. Would it be easier if your OH could have lunch prepared the night before so all you have to do is reheat?

[SongBirdsKeepSinging]

I have depression too @justanothermama and to use my df's wisdom again, when I was at my worst after having dd2 ( post natal psychosis and now psychotic depression ) I was so overwhelmed by the little things that I lost all hope of doing anything, so df sat me down and told me to make my bed every morning. Once I felt ok doing that then add on another 'simple' task and gradually build up from there.

Now when I'm bad he just says have you made your bed today? A gentle reminder that I've been at this point before and got through it so just go back to basics.

My point is that when you suffer with depression even getting out of the bed so that you can make it is an achievement, so don't let dirty dishes get you down. Use paper plates if it will help. Anything that helps you get through the day with a little less worry is absolutely fine.

Feel free to pm me if you ever want a chat.

[Want2bSupermum]

Sorry I didn't include that of course yes use paper plates. Use plastic cutlery too if that helps and buy precooked/prepared foods.

[Justanothermama]

@songbirdskeepsinging - omg yes you are so right. I had to set a reminder on my phone for bathtime daily and cooking again since my last dip has taken a long time, but the kitchen keeps getting a mess and it makes me not even want to go in there. I'm usually an organised person and I can't work out if it's my depression clouding things or the medication. I take the medication at night now so I don't feel sleepy or wobbly in the day.

@wanr2bsupermum thank you so much for understanding and for leaving such helpful comments. My son does have some additional needs which does mean he's always on the go and I guess that just compounds how hard some tasks are when he's left to his own devices even in close proximity to me. Xx

[Lapena17]

If paper plates will help then do it OP. I completely understand your situation as I too get just as overwhelmed because of MH problems. You've come up with a good solution, why not give it a go for a week and see if it works to alleviate the stress somewhat.

[Justanothermama]

@lapena17 thank you! I shall give it a try ❤️

[user1499786242]

Do it! Do it, do it
It won't harm your toddler as it won't be forever as you are planning on a dishwasher one day! And it's not going to be every single meal every single day just when you're on your own..
If it makes your life easier and less stressful that will benefit you and your toddler massively! Spend the time you would washing up playing or reading with him! Win win I think!
We are moving house next week so are using paper plates and bowls and my god it's so much easier!

[Justanothermama]

Thank you @user1499786242 I think I'm just going to do it. I'll have one big clean up to have a sparkling kitchen and then make small changes to try to make my life easier. Then perhaps I could try to find a way to somehow involve little man with washing up like give him his own bowl on a towel or something. He does love water play.

[HebeMumsnet]

Morning JustAnotherMama. I agree, if paper plates get you through a rough patch, I'd go for it.

However, I used paper plates recently at a mammoth (and poorly thought out) play date for six school-age children. Was dead impressed with my little life hack, then one of the bloody children ATE A PAPER PLATE while I was cooking them pizzas! At least half of it, anyway. I guess he was hungry. So just thought I'd warn you of potential paper plate hazard! Hope you get your dishwasher soon!

[Justanothermama]

@hebemumsnet omg that's so funny! My son loves his food and is always hungry - perhaps he might eat plates too 😂

[HebeMumsnet]

That would make them less of an expense! Pizza for mains. Plate for pudding! You could easily justify that I reckon. I told myself it was roughage and didn't tell his mum.