The Overwhelmed Parent

Being a busy parent is one thing, but being an overwhelmed parent it another. I am sure many of you are overwhelmed right now especially those of you doing the last minute tax filing. grrrr those taxes. So what do we need to do. I say we find a good way to calm down and relax. Now if that means throwing your kids into some project that will occupy them, or even throw in a movie and let them veg while you sit in a quiet corner of the house with a good book, crocheting, knitting, scrapbooking, cruising around on the internet, gardening etc. Every parent needs downtime, but I find it hard to find the time for downtime. So I have started making it a point that during the times my kids are home and i need sanity time, I make them either watch a movie, color in their coloring books, play their video games, espeically the V-smile, something to keep them busy for a good hour, and then I either grab a good book, or put on a fabulous old movie I love and just relax. Its hard to take that time when you are busy, but you need to.


Here is a 30 min. dinner idea

SKILLET LASAGNA
serves 4

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 lb ground beef
1 jar spagetti sauce
3 cups egg noodles
Salt and pepper to taste
16 oz cottage or ricotta cheese
8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese


DIRECTIONS:
Brown beef in skillet, then drain. Cook noodles as directed on package.
Pour half the jar of sauce over the beef on medium heat.
Spread with cottage cheese.
Then add noodles.
Pour the rest of the sauce over the noodles and top with mozzarella cheese.
Cover and simmer 10 minutes
~big thanks to parentsconnect.com for this recipe