School is back in session, which means back to the routine and the late afternoon stress of how to juggle sports practice, homework, baths, and, oh yeah, dinner. For me, I always find it stressful trying to figure out what to have for dinner and when I am going to have time to make it. With both my children in school this year, making a nutritious dinner before everyone melts down is my top priority for fall. Here are a few tips that may help all of us take the stress out of family dinners.

Plan Ahead

One of the easiest ways to take stress out of dinnertime is to plan ahead. This is much easier said than done so you have to have a game plan and stick to it. For me, I am going to try planning out the meals over the weekend and even try to prepare a few things to have ready to eat. Preplanning our meals will, I hope, decrease the amount of last minute trips to the grocery store. I also hope it decreases that ever-present panic of seeing it is five o’clock and you have nothing in the refrigerator and do not know what you are going to make. In our house, we are also trying a dinner chart so the kids know what we are having that night and there is no arguing or trying to negotiate for mac ’n cheese or eating out. Children are comfortable with a routine or schedule, especially during the school year, so having a list of dinners and trying to eat at the same time every night will do wonders for those hungry little ones. The other key is to make enough so you can have a night of leftovers. I know for me, it is a lot less stressful to think about making three or four meals as opposed to six or seven.

Food Swap

 I know this might sound strange to some, but what better way to take the stress away than to make one meal and get six in return? The nonprofit food center 18 Reasons, located in Mission Dolores, has had great success with their monthly food swaps. They also do an amazing and very popular baby food swap once a month. How it works is you prepare one meal and make enough for six other families. It can be something simple or more elaborate depending on your cooking skills. You bring extra containers and share your meal, and walk away with six other meals that are ready to serve for the week. If you feel a bit strange about exchanging food with people you do not know or if you have picky eaters at home, I suggest organizing one with your friends or neighbors. I was feeling a bit self-conscious about my own cooking skills, so before deciding to step up to the big leagues at 18 Reasons, I have organized my own food swap with some other moms who I know have similar cooking skills. It is nice to think about making one meal at the beginning of the week and then bringing home different meals for every other night of the week. One day of cooking and dinner is done for the week.

When All Else Fails, Order Out

We all have those nights when either we just do not feel like cooking or we just run out of time. Luckily, we have many wonderful restaurants right in the neighborhood we can turn to for help. Lucca’s delicatessen has fresh homemade lasagna, ravioli, gnocchi, and meatballs – all of which are sure to be family favorites. Another one of my new favorites is the family pack from Tacolicious. You can order online in the morning or on the run and include the exact time you want it ready for pick up. The dinner comes with all the fixings and there is usually enough food to get most families through two nights of dinner. If you really need something quick and easy delivered to your door, our family’s favorite “go to” is Patxi’s pizza. They also have a wonderful family night on Tuesdays where they play a family friendly movie on the big screen. It is always packed with families, which immediately puts me at ease.

After all the stress of figuring out what to cook and how to get it on the table, do not forget that who is at the table is just as important as what you put on it. One of the most important things we can give our children is family dinnertime, where everyone is able to share about their day and be together.

Liz Farrell lives in San Francisco and is the mother of two young children. She was formerly a television producer in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. E-mail: [email protected]