What would you do if you didn’t have to make dinner tonight?

I resent having to make dinner every night.

I resent the time it takes away from me spending with my family.

I resent the time it takes away from my kids, who just want my attention.

And I want to give it to them!

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Between the soccer practices and art club and weekly tutoring and whatever else pops up after school, there isn’t much time left for family.

You’re nodding your head, aren’t you?

You understand.

You understand the crazy schedules.

The shuttling kids back and forth.

The desperate need to sit down for dinner but at the same time, not wanting to spend what little time you do have cooking.

But what is a mother to do?

What would you do if you didn't have to make dinner tonight?

So what am I going to do with all of that free time?

My boys voted on doing a floor puzzle, but there are so many low-key activities that you have right at your fingertips!

You can check off items from your to-do list while connecting with the kids.

  • Fold socks (you can make it a race)
  • Solve the plastic lid puzzle (actually match each plastic tub with the correct lid)
  • Go through the mail (the kids can make a collage from the magazines and flyers)
  • Rake leaves (be sure to leave time to jump in them, too!)
  • Find a home. We pick a shelf that has too much stuff sitting on it and everyone helps “find a home” for each item

Don’t feel like completing a to-do? Here are other fun things you can do without a lot of fuss!

  • Draw a picture (have your kids pick the theme)
  • Play a board game
  • Hold a building contest with your favorite blocks or Legos
  • Play tag in the backyard (or light saber wars)
  • Challenge your kiddo to a racing video game

Spending quality time with your kiddos doesn’t have to be a big production.

It’s about spending time chit chatting and being present.

That’s really all our kids want from us — our time and attention.

Make dinner quality time, too! Try these fun 20 dinner conversation starters to make dinner interesting again!

88 Comments

  1. Mindy DeLisi says:

    I honestly love the lasagna one the best! No onions in it and so tasty!

  2. Mac and cheese. I would play board games with my kids with the time saved.

  3. Sandy Klocinski says:

    My favorite is the Breaded Chicken Parmagiana Patties with Tomato Sauce. I would relax and/or play with my fur baby while it is cooking

  4. Cheryl VanBrunt says:

    My favorite is the Popcorn Chicken – Value Pack, I’d prepare some other dishes while they are cooking.

  5. Jessica To says:

    I like the turkey slices with gravy. I would read while it was cooking.

  6. Ellen Beck says:

    We really like their Salsbury steaks and make hot beef sandwiches with them. Since I dont have to prepare it, I can spend more time with family or catching up on other things!

  7. Tracy Shafer says:

    My family loves the salisbury steak!

  8. Ann Fantom says:

    I like On-Cor’s Toasted Onion Gravy & Char-Broiled Patties entree

  9. Jaque Richards says:

    My favortie is Home Style Gravy & Meatloaf Slices….yummy! 🙂 I will be helping the children with their homework while it is cooking.

  10. Gabrielle Kinman says:

    Lasagna with meat sauce and cheese. Thank you very much.

  11. Cathy Truman says:

    We like the Gravy & Sliced White Turkey Meat. I would take our dog Bailey for a nice long walk. He loves them and they are good for both of us

  12. Rebecca C says:

    My favorite is the gravy and sliced white meat turkey. While it’s cooking, I would vacuum (my cat sheds so much) and write some emails I’ve been putting off. If there was even more time, my place could really use some dusting!

  13. Carly Williams says:

    My favorite is the Macaroni & Cheese. I would watch TV while it cooks.

  14. Sue Barney says:

    We like the Salisbury Steaks with Gravy! Yum! I would get all of the other daily chores done lots faster freeing me up to spend quality time with my family playing games or watching movies!

  15. I like the Penne Pasta & Meatballs with Tomato Sauce. While it is cooking I would spend a little extra time playing with my son. They are only little once!

  16. My favorite are the barbecued pork riblets. We use them to make home made McRib sandwiches. While they are cooking I would rake up the leaves that are just about all down.

  17. I’d try the popcorn chicken. I’d probably read while it was cooking

  18. Denise B. says:

    I want to try their “Deluxe Lasagna with Meat Sauce”.

  19. Chrystal D says:

    I like the Toasted Onion Gravy & Char-Broiled Patties and while they were cooking I’d be making some mashed potatoes and a side salad.

  20. My favorite is chicken parm. I would probably check email and messages while waiting.

  21. Robert Young says:

    Macaroni and Cheese, and I would just relax!

  22. cyndi butler says:

    I would choose the Breaded Chicken Parmagiana Patties with Tomato Sauce. I would eat a salad while I wait.

  23. kathy Persons says:

    Barbecue Sauce & 6 Boneless Rib-Shaped Patties and read a good book

  24. Michelle D. says:

    I like the Lasagna one best. I would get some needed work done on the computer with all that free time!

  25. Mary Chapman says:

    the macaroni and cheese is always a favorite at our house

  26. We like the Salisbury Steaks. I could read a book.

  27. I like the popcorn chicken. I would be reading a magazine will it’s cooking

  28. tat2gurlzrock says:

    My fiance’ loves the salisbury steak

  29. Gravy and sliced White Turkey. What else? a nice, long bath.

  30. Julie Bickham says:

    My kids like the chicken parm from on-cor. I would spend more time helping my kids with their homework!

  31. We love the chicken parmigiana and salisbury steaks. I saw quite a few new products I would try by visiting that page as well. I would use the cooking time to play a game.

  32. I love the lasagna and I would play a game while it was cooking.

  33. Antoinette M says:

    My favorite is the Deluxe Lasagna with meat sauce. I would read the newspaper.

  34. I’ve not tried them but the Southern Style Gravy with Breaded Beef Patties looks great. I would definitely do something enjoyable those 45 minutes.

  35. Anne Higgins says:

    Gravy & Sliced White Meat Turkey – While it is cooking I would make a salad, potatoes and stuffing to have a true dinner! YUM

  36. beth shepherd says:

    I love their turkey and gravy. THank you

  37. Sarah Mathias says:

    I like the Homestyle Gravy and Meatloaf Slices.

  38. Carrie McCarthy says:

    I love the bbq boneless ribs <3

  39. Jennifer Keating says:

    My favorite is the Chicken Parm, and I usually am watching one of my favorite TV shows while I’m waiting for it to cook!

  40. Kyl Neusch says:

    i wanna try the lasagna

  41. Becky McClure says:

    My family enjoys the ribs one .

  42. Cheryl Everitt says:

    While my favorite Deluxe Lasagna with Meat Sauce is cooking I will be hugging the granddaughters!

  43. Cami Valenzuela says:

    I would like Toasted Onion Gravy & Char-Broiled Patties

  44. Kim Avery says:

    My favorite is the lasagna! I would be making a side salad and garlic bread while it bakes! Or get caught up on decorating!

  45. Heather D says:

    We like their Mac and Cheese. We’ve been meaning to try the lasagna.

  46. Lisa Pecora says:

    I want to try the 6 Breaded Chicken Parmagiana Patties with Tomato Sauce. I would play with my cats while it is cooking.

  47. Angie Ford says:

    I like the lasagna good comfort food!

  48. I like the bbq pork riblets

  49. Laurie Emerson says:

    My favorite is their Salisbury Steak. I would use the extra time to play with my kids.

  50. Dorothy Deakyne says:

    lasagna is tops

  51. Lindsay Hess says:

    My favorite On-Cor dinner is Southern Style gravy with breaded beef patties!! I would watch a movie curled up on the couch with my family while it was cooking!!

  52. Carolyn Daley says:

    My favorite On-Cor entree is salisbury steak. I make mashed potatoes and green beans while the meat is cooking.

  53. My favorite entree is their Southern Style Gravy with Breaded Beef Patties. I would read a good book while it was cooking!

  54. Jeremy McLaughlin says:

    My sons love the Mac and cheese. I get other things done while it cooks.

  55. we like lasagna but the rib meal looks good too

  56. Angela Thorpe says:

    We like the Salsbury steaks, we’d play games together

  57. I would like the chicken parm with tomato sauce. I would set the table while I was waiting for it to cook.

  58. I neeever have time to cook!! Always on the run!

  59. Francine Anchondo says:

    lasagna and I would do some cleaning while it is cooking.

  60. I like the Char-broiled patties and gravy. I’d put my feet up for a while!

  61. Breaded Chicken Parmagiana; I like to do crosswords!

  62. You can’t beat the chicken parm in their yummy sauce!

  63. Mary Gardner says:

    My favorite On Cor product is their Salisbury Steak and Gravy.

  64. Kathryn C says:

    I really enjoy the sliced turkey!

    Kathryn C

  65. Julie Hawkins says:

    The Salisbury steak meal is my favorite. I would get some other chores done!

  66. I like the Gravy & Sliced White Turkey Meat. I read while it’s cooking.

  67. Yum! Probably their “Home Style Gravy & Meatloaf Slices”, and I go play/work on my art/photography while it was cooking. Thanks and God Bless! ILuvTheEucharist @ aol dot com

  68. Yum! I must try that one asap! My favorite has been the Penne Pasta & Meatballs with Tomato Sauce! I love pasta!

  69. Dana Matthews says:

    I’d like the Gravy & 6 Salisbury Steaks. I’d help the kids with homework while it was cooking!

  70. Dana Matthews says:

    I’d like the Gravy & 6 Salisbury Steaks. I’d help the kids with homework while it was cooking.

  71. The chicken parm looks good. I would read a book while I was waiting,natbelinsky@verizon.net

  72. Christian Alejandro says:

    Hot ‘n Spicy Chicken Strips – Value Pack sounds good.

  73. willitara says:

    Deluxe Lasagna with Meat Sauce and I would catch up on reading my email while it is cooking

  74. Toasted Onion Gravy & Char-Broiled Patties sounds good. We could read a book as a family.

  75. Juanita May says:

    We like the lasagna. I could read a book.

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