Struggling with evening routine

[onlyoranges]

Wasn't sure where to post this really. But here goes 5 dcs one participates in a competitive sport and practices every evening. My problem is I collect her at 530 which has made my previous evening routine a bit muddled. I do not have very little dcs the youngest is 5 but the others are teens. I get home from school at 345 so that doesn't give me enough time to feed the others but can sometimes quickly prepare and not cook. Slow cookers are good but my fussy teens are quick to complain if we eat the same meals too often. Does anyone have any ideas how I can make my evenings less stressful ?

How long does it take you to collect DD? And are you at work before 3.45, or at home?
!meanwhile, maybe the fussy teens could get involved with the dinner preparation, or at least watch what's cooking while you are collecting DD.
Maybe some sort of liftshare is possible?
Managing 5dc can' t be easy, I guess teaching them independence is important!

Can your teens not cook?

It's takes 30 mins (15 there 15 back) but sometimes she is late so the time is not set. I am working on encouraging the others but I wouldn't want to depend on them. Last time my 13 Ds year old almost set the kitchen on fire. My eldest works 60 hours a week so I cook his and leave but he also cooks himself and is much keener to pitch in and help buys food etc. Not I am off work sick for around 2 years undergoing treatment at the mo (touch wood)

I would get all of the other evening 'stuff' out of the way between 3.45 and 5.15 - homework, bathing your youngest (in pjs to collect DD) and plan a week's worth of meals that can be in the oven / slowcooker until 6ish. Things that can be prepped in the day and put in the oven before you leave (lasagne /pasta bake /shepherd's pie), quick things for prepping after school and left in the oven while you go out (baked potatoes and beans, roast chicken and salad), or quick things for when you get back (omelettes /stirfry).

Cook in advance then it just needs reheating or use the slow cooker. if the older ones complain then suggest they help out and sort out dinner whilst you collect dd. i know you say you don't want to rely on them to help cook but if they are the ones complaining then i think it is fair to expect them to help out now and again

Can't you just all eat once home? 5.45pm your home? Even that's pretty early for most especially teens to eat.

Just make dinner time 7pm for all so it's more Relaxing

Thanks everyone its really helped me get things clearer. Sometimes when you are in the middle of something it gets confusing. I am trying prepping much earlier which seems to have spread things. I have also bought a slow cooker cookbook, its amazing how versatile those things are! 7pm is a bit too late I need to take my meds etc much earlier and need to eat with them or I end up throwing up all evening which just adds more stress! I have done that before and spent 10 mins vomiting in the car park when I picked my dd up she was not impressed in a way only a teen could do!!

I would prepare everything that you can do before you go, ask the older ones to put the potatoes or whatever on at a specific time so that it is easy for you to eat when you get back in. Think about things that can go in the oven such as stews, lasagna, toad in the hole, shepherds pie, quiche or things that can be cooked quickly once the prep has been done like stir fry. I would do a menu plan with teens and then go from there. Work your time backwards, you need to eat at x time so therefore cooking has to start thirty minutes before or however long it takes to cook.

Can you not have a smaller snack at say 4pm with medicine, then all eat later?