I just can't

[WinkyWinkola]

seem to find the time to write my essays. Or the energy.

I put the DCs to bed at 6.30pm. I make supper for DH and myself, tidy up whilst it's cooking. Then I sit and stare at my assignment for yonks getting intimidated and convinced I can't do it. Then we eat. Then it's more likely 9pm. And I'm too feeble to carry on.

HOW DO YOU DO IT? Tips please. I'm crap.

I'm crap at night too, WW.

but if this is important to you, couldn't you compromise a bit on the tidying up/cooking?

couldn't DH do it? or you eat with the kids? or have something easy?

6.30 is really early, if you could get the meal out of the way earlier you've got a long evening to do stuff.

God I can sympathise.

Not studying but doing a project for work.Tell myself I will get on with it.But I haven'ttonight.I have loads to do too.AAAArrghh

Well, I DO compromise on cleaning IFYSIM but I have to tidy up otherwise it will look like a hell hole.

DH doesn't get home until 7.30pm at the very earliest.

Perhaps I should cook meals for the DCs that are suitable for us adults toot then save me an extra task?

Of course, I should be writing 1,000 words of my essay tonight but I'm on MN instead. Grrrr. And now it's really late! I lack self discipline!

yes, go for early tea WW, it's much better for the old digestive system too!

used to make tea for dd, then put her to bed, then make grown up meal for me and dh. Knackering.

We've split up now and I eat about 6pm with dd (and with ex-DH if he's round) and then I have the evening free.

not suggesting you split up but two mealtimes is a bit of a faff!

at harpomax's splitting up suggestion!

yeah it's only since reading the 'what's for dinner?' threads in chat that i've realised that most ppl seem to cook one meal for dcs and another for themselves and dps.

crazy! that takes up so much time. i do the same as harpo, eat with dd. even in the college holidays. even if your dh doesn't get home till 19.30 couldn't he just reheat the earlier dinner? at least untill the end of your college term while you're so busy.

it is hard though. after a day of rushing around and intense classes in college then rushing to collect dd from creche and feed her i'm wrecked.

By the time i get her into bed around 8 or half past all i want to do is curl up on the couch with a glass of wine! disasater. seem to get by just by the skin of my teeth...

I can't get dd to eat our dinner and I can't get dinner for all of us in time. I make something for dd for 6 then something for us for 6.30 then dd goes to bed at 8. I prefer to work on the evenngs when dh can put her to bed so I can work from 7. If you really need to work in the evening - I would make dinner early and eat before your dh then leave his to warm up. Also, some evenings, to save time, we just have soup & bread or something super-quick.

Working evenings means you have to compromise on the eating together and any other chores on those nights. I hate starting work after 8.30.

could you not all eat the same but also double up and freeze so that some nights you just have to heat it up and some nights eat something like baked potato (or frozen pizza !) that you just have to put in the oven and doesnt take too much effort

If you don't work well in the evenings have you though of getting up earlier?

How about getting up before the rest of the family where you can work in peace, then you have the evening to yourself.