A Busy Mom’s Guide to Meal Planning
Hey mama,
It’s that time again—back to school. 😅 Lunchboxes are flying, fees are due, practice schedules are in full swing, to-do lists are piling up, and the dreaded “What’s for dinner?” question starts creeping in around 3:00 p.m.
As a mom of two active kids, I’ve learned that without a solid food game plan, we end up in the drive-thru or eating mac and cheese… again. (No shame—but we can do better!)
Here’s the weekly system that works for my family, plus grocery hacks and how I keep our kitchen organized with a simple prep zone that saves my sanity.
Start with a Weekly Meal Calendar
Right out of the gate, THIS concept was a game-changer for me. Instead of asking every week what everyone wants for breakfast and lunch, I:
Created a calendar for breakfast and lunch for each family member.
Asked everyone for four breakfast options and four lunch options they like.
Rotate those meals monthly— no more asking!
For dinners, I use a monthly theme calendar:
Monday: Mexican
Tuesday: Pasta
…and so on
Some meals we love so much they’re weekly repeats. I also like to build in a leftovers night or breakfast-for-dinner night. Every Sunday, I grab my planner, check the calendar, and finalize the week’s plan. It absolutely takes some time upfront, but saves so much time going forward, and once I got the hang of it, the weeks following have been a breeze.
Rotate a Bank of Family Favorites
I keep 10–12 go-to meals and rotate them every few weeks. It’s enough variety to keep everyone happy without the weekly decision fatigue.
This way, my pantry is always stocked with staples we actually use.
Use Grocery Pickup or Delivery—Seriously!
I used to loathe going to the grocery store every week (or multiple times a week).
So I stopped, and you can, too! Here’s how:
Use a pickup app
Save your weekly order
Modify it based on that week’s meals
This prevents impulse buys, helps you stick to the plan, and keeps you on budget. Bonus: no dragging kids through the store!
Freezer Meals = Weeknight Lifesavers
I always keep 2–3 freezer meals ready for busy sports nights.
My staples:
Chicken tenders & tots
Frozen veggies & potatoes
Chicken for sheet pan meals
Ground beef for burgers or tacos
I also like to prepare extra meat to freeze—like shredded chicken for tacos that can later become sheet pan nachos (just a 20-min meal!).
Have a Dedicated Food Prep Zone
A few years ago, I set up a dedicated meal prep cabinet with:
Bento containers
Water bottles
Condiment containers
The kids know exactly where everything is, and THEY prep lunches on Sunday for the week. Keeping it all in one place keeps my kitchen from feeling chaotic.
Prep Containers I Love
The right containers make all the difference when it comes to keeping your kitchen organized and meal prep stress-free. These are my go-to items that keep food fresh, make packing meals easier, and help everything stack neatly in the fridge or pantry.
Glass containers with locking lids (stackable and easy to see)
Divided bento-style lunchboxes for kids
Small stainless steel dressing containers (no spills!)
Stanleys & Owalas – keep drinks cold all day and last forever
Stick to the Plan… Even When Life Gets Crazy
Systems only work if you use them, and meal planning is no exception. Life will always throw curveballs— unexpected schedule changes, last-minute invitations, or nights when you’re just too tired to think about dinner. However, having a plan in place is what keeps things from spiraling into chaos!
I make it a habit to check my meal plan each night so I can pull anything from the freezer and have it ready for the next day. Skipping this step almost always leads to scrambling for something last-minute, which usually means more stress, more mess, and more money spent. Sticking to the plan keeps evenings calmer, meals on track, and everyone in the family on the same page. It’s a small daily habit that pays off big in time saved and peace of mind.
Your Meal Plan = Your Way
Meal planning isn’t about perfection—it’s about buying yourself time, peace, and predictability.
You don’t need a fancy kitchen or endless recipes. You just need:
A few go-to meals
A smart plan
A space that supports your flow
We’ve got this, mama. 🫶 Here’s to fewer meltdowns and more dinners together (even if someone’s still in their sports uniform).
💡 Need help? A one-day Jumpstart with our pro team can clear the chaos and get your kitchen prepped for the school year!
