Mumsnet users share their tips for easy evenings with Sky Store and The Incredibles

[EmmaMumsnet]

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Evenings can sometimes feel like they’re over before they’ve even begun. With this in mind, Sky Store would like to hear your tips for making your evenings easy - so that you still have the time to sit down as a family and enjoy a good movie night in together.

Here’s what Sky Store has to say: “This week we are celebrating the release of the most anticipated animated sequel of all time – Disney/Pixar’s Incredibles 2 in Sky Store, so you can create your perfect movie night in with your family tonight.

With Sky Store evenings are incredibly easy! You can download this family favourite straight to your TV at the touch of a button, so it’s ready to watch as soon as the kids get home.”

What tips do you have for an easy evening? Maybe you meal prep so you spend less time on cooking? Do you have tips for getting your children ready for bed in record time? Have you discovered the secret to making the kids tidy up after themselves? Perhaps you watch new films at home instead of taking a trip to the cinema?

All who post below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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Definitely planning ahead in terms of dinner and knowing any chores/homework that needs to be done. We don't have much time to watch TV on weekday evenings so tend to put a film on Sunday afternokns when we get back from whatever we've done that day.

Easy evenings for us are a meals that I have cooked enough for two days usually curry, chilli, stew, lasagne are all family favourites. Early bath for kids and settle down with whatever is on tv.

I make sure all the toys are tidied away by the kids before we eat dinner then there’s less to do before bed.
Also I don’t stress about daily baths as sometimes there just isn’t the time :)

We spend every other Sunday natch cooking. We cook up a spaghetti, chilli and curry usually. From that, we will make up about 12 portions at least. We also keep in the fridge some pizzas, pies and chips. Anything that can go in the oven easily. Everyone in the house has a couple of jobs that they are in charge of eg. I load dishwasher, DH unloads and DS hoovers when needed. Keeping on top of things means there is more time to chill out together and relax.

*batch

Divide and conquer. One preps tea while the other baths baby. One cooks while other puts baby to bed.
Both collapse on sofa with wine.

Prepping dinner and taking care of housework early in the day, so we can relax come the evening.

The perfect easy evening involves disposable plates, cutlery, the works.
Chillaxed in front of TV that doesn’t require thought but is entertaining (Masterchef, Strictly).
Can of cider in hand and baby asleep for the duration!

Slow cooker is fantastic, pop it all in in the morning delicious meal ready in the evening..

Routine is key - follow the same routine every night and it keeps you and the kids calm and secure. My routine is always bath, cuddles, stories then bed.

We all do our bit, and keep it simple in the evenings

Batch cook then have freezer nights and always freeze leftovers when time is tight you always have a lovely meal

Bath Book Bed! Easy nice routine makes them calm and tired! then onto the sofa for netflix and maybe a glass of wine lol

Movie nights are only ever on weekends, we don't have time to start a movie on week nights after clubs and dinner and homework.

No Cooking or washing dishes for an easy evening. Phone up the Chinese takeaway and have our meals delivered and eat them on our laps in front of the telly and enjoy some family viewing.

Prep the dinner early and keep it simple

Get into a routine, plan dinners in advance and write EVERYTHING on a calendar, especially if you're forgetful like me. We also try and pack bags the night before.

Listen to the radio, some soothing music always helps.

Meal prepping and routine. The kids know what time they're expected to do things so it makes them calmer and the evening smoother for everyone. Not always perfect though!

We all get in at different times and have different dietary needs, so simple meals are out of the question. Pizzas and microwave meals are lifesavers for us. Then everything in the dishwasher while we watch a movie/favourite TV show.

Meal planning and keeping to a routine on school nights. Fun and flexibility at the weekend!

An easy evening for us is heating up a pre-made lasagne from the freezer, a quickly prepared salad, and mugs of coffee. We will watch a box-set and chatter about the day's events.

A really easy evening would consist of a Chicken Korma from the local Indian takeaway, and as above.

My secret to weekday easy evenings is to food prep on Sunday using my Thermomix... that makes my life a lot easier although I find that is not 100% easy. With 3 children is not easy :/
But cooking ahead it does give me the chance to give them dinner earlier straight after I pick them up from after school club/nursery from work followed by bath time, bed time for baby, homework time and finally bed time for the older kids, if I manage it all by 8.30pm I call it easy evening :)

i like to get all my jobs and chores done as soon as i can so there is no distractions or thoughts in my head that i still need to do other jobs when i sit down with my family. I know then that i can totally relax if everything is done pronto rather than leaving it.

Being organised and sharing the workload, acting as a team works very well for hubby and I but if one of us is feeling low or exhausted the other takes charge to give partner much needed sleep. Sleep deprivation is one of the hardest things to deal with as a parent. If we get our sleep we can take everything else in our stride!