Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are…
Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect Tomorrow.
One day I shall dig my nails into the earth,
or bury my face in my pillow,
or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky
and want, more than all the world, your return.
- Mary Jean Iron

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

WWYD Dance Night Edition

Help! Julianna has dance on Tuesday night and I can not figure out how to make it work. Our family tries really hard to eat dinner together every night. Last year that was impossible because of dance and I hate that! This year I'd like to try and figure out a better plan. She has two dance classes, one 5:30-6:30, one 7:30-8:30. There's an hour break in between. In an ideal-ish world, she'd be able to hang out with some dance friends, I'd pack her a dinner, and Mark, Jacob and I would eat together at home. Unfortunately, that won't work, there isn't a group of friends taking the same or similar classes to do that with, and it doesn't help with the goal of eating together.

Another option is for us to go out to eat during her off hour. I don't love this option because I don't really want to commit to eating out every week and spending the money, plus it would be rushed therefore not the healthiest of options, though there is a Chipotle and a Boston Market nearby.  Still, not like I want to eat a steady diet of Chipotle and Boston Market.

Another option is to bring her home, have us eat, and take her back. I'm not sure how this would work in reality, we'd get home around 6:45/6:50 and we'd have to leave again by 7:10. Again, rushed, plus it's late...

I could have her eat before dance, around 4:45, and plan on sending a good snack with her and pick her up and run an errand or two or taking her out for an occasional treat during her break.

Am I missing anything? Does anyone see a good solution here? I'm stuck and appreciate any help.

I'm guessing I need to give up on the idea of a perfect solution that we follow every week and just treat each week as it comes. That will make me a little twitchy, but it seems like it might be the best thing to do.
I hate to just give up on a family dinnertime, but I'm not seeing a good alternative.

3 comments:

MemeGRL said...

Realistically? That last "wing it and see" option will probably be your best bet. Does your family enjoy "picnic" food? And is it worth it for J to eat in the middle or will she feel bloaty?
My other suggestion would be early dinner for whoever is home. We were just talking about how my great-aunt had a rule: dinner's at 4:30. Don't call, just BE THERE, period, no questions asked. (Her husband ran his own business so could be home by then--nice!) Then any rehearsals, etc. would be after.
When I thought about it I realized: 4:30 is when my kids are starving too, so we are playing with this at our house. No way my husband can be home at 4:30 with his work schedule, and we love a family dinner. But in some seasons--it just isn't going to work. So tonight, I'll be serving Taco Tuesday at 5pm so they can eat before football at 6, and Dad can eat after. I don't love it but I figure--6 nights a week isn't so bad. Good luck and if you figure out how to bend time to your will, please share your tricks! :)

Kat said...

I LOVE that you insist on family meals together. We are big on that too. However, I don't think missing one meal a week is too bad. If you can eat early that might be the best option for her and then send a snack along with her. Otherwise, the "wing it" option is probably your best bet. :)
Good luck!

Melisa said...

I'm with Kat. You could make yourself crazy trying to get that one night in: let that one go and make sure you eat together on the other six nights.

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