I am not sure why I am just now figuring this one out. I have been a mom for 4 years and 4 months now. I have two children at home. I feed them daily, clothe them daily and take care of all their needs. There are some days that we eat all three meals at home. I feed them breakfast, a snack, lunch, a snack and dinner all at the same table.
I just now figured out this week that it is not a necessity to use three different plates for three different meals. You see I always feel like I'm washing dishes. There are always plates and cups to clean. Well this week I have had a revelation. After breakfast I rinse off the plates and set them aside. Those plates are perfectly good for lunch, especially after they only had a waffle and apples slices on them. I am amazed at how many less plates I'm washing.
I know most of you are laughing at me right now. I just figured this out and you've been doing this for years with your family! Aren't you just glad I figured this out before I had four kids eating three meals a day on the different plates … yes that would be 12 plates a day!
I am so proud of myself. If you feel the need to fill me in on any other mom things that you think I might not know …. feel free!!!
you can also use the same cups all day, too! just rinse when they’re done. of course, that may just seem gross to some people, but it cuts back on your time at the sink and saves some water in the process! 🙂
i’ve never thought of doing that either–so that makes 2 of us that are a little dense 🙂 I can’t wait to hear other people’s great tips!! miss you!
YOU MUST check out Rocks in my Dryer’s blog (Shannon). She does a WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY and there are BRILLIANT ideas about parenting and whatever else each Wednesday! It’s worth a look!
color code their cups. This way each kid has a milk cup and a water cup (or juice if you do juice). It goes right back in the fridge when they are done and you don’t have to wash 15 cups a day! Their color can be used for other things too like which bin their shoes go in or which toothbrush is theirs. That’s a trick I picked up nannying for a family of 8.
That is a great idea! I usually give the girls paper plates or bowls for most meals around here and sippy cups for juice.
I know how you feel about the whole house selling thing. Ours has been on the market since OCTOBER!!!!! It shows only about twice a week. Hang in there!
We have already started the one cup a day rule. That works great. It is usually Deacon that “misplaces” his cup. We have started having them leave them on the table instead of taking them in their room for me to find them weeks later in the block box!!
love the color coding stuff … i think my friend Tamara does that!
We WAY use the same plates – all five kids have their initials on one plate, one cup and one bowl. I always know who finished what, who forgot to put up what, and who mixed ketchup with God-knows-what!
Okay, I’ve done the one cup, but 17 YEARS LATER you tell me I didn’t have to wash 15 plated a day! Amazing!