Comments on: Family Friday (vol. 28): Surviving a Kitchen Remodel and Other Ramblings

By: Stacey

Stacey — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 15:12:15 +0000

In reply to Stacey.

Oh and label your boxes very well – this will help when you inevitably misplace something 🙂

By: Stacey

Stacey — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 15:11:20 +0000

I agree with the above – I would not want all the fine dust etc around with a newborn at home all day. We did our kitchen remodel pre-baby and have a camper we ate out of (as our table, prep area). We used lots of paper plates to avoid dishes and since it was summer we grilled almost all meals. I also like the electric skillet idea and of course eating out is an option too. Just remember, simplicity is best 🙂

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 13:48:45 +0000

Since you are looking for opinions, and having lived through a kitchen remodel (without a toddler or newborn at home), waiting might be the best option. There’s a lot of noise, chaos, and daily cleaning up after the crew. Fine dust everywhere, not confined to the kitchen. Plan your maternity leave for snuggles and love, figuring out a new daily routine that includes two kiddos, and rest up for going back to work. Consider putting this project off perhaps for several months even until you have your new daily routine(s) down pat and have full energy restored. Other tips: freezer meals, paper plates, plastic utensils and cups! Sincere best wishes with the upcoming birth and your eventual remodel.

By: Debra

Debra — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 02:31:53 +0000

My two cents, wait for your kitchen remodel until after your leave. There is such a rare chance in life for us working gals to be home for a few months, you don’t want to share that with a bunch of construction guys clonking around.

We had a kitchen remodel, see if they can set up the sink somewhere else( they put ours in the living room!), it’s not so bad to get by with microwave, electric skillet, toaster oven – but not having a way to wash dishes is a pain

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 21:27:25 +0000

It’s going to be messy and loud, so I’d say wait until you’re back to work post-maternity leave. Having a newborn and a toddler is going to be a big challenge, period. Adding in construction chaos might be more than you can reasonably deal with. If you have a good prep space, you’ll be okay especially with a crock pot, electric skillet, outdoor grill. Sandwiches and salads require no heating :). Good luck, it will totally be worth it.

By: Martha

Martha — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:57:23 +0000

I haven’t had a kitchen remodel but I can sympathize with you living in a renovation zone. Our bathroom remodel started yesterday and when I got home BOTH showers were gone. Luckily, my husband’s aunt lives the next town over, so we’re going over there to take showers. Thank heavens for dry shampoo!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:27:05 +0000

We did a total kitchen remodel last year, took about 6 weeks. I had lots of plans for using the electic skillet, crock pot to prep meals, but neglected to factor in where to actually prep food to go into said skillet or crockpot. I just couldn’t bring myself to be peelling carrots or potatoes, chopping up food in the bathroom. I also had boxed up everything from the old kitchen, so finding utensils to prep food was an adventure in box diving. We did grill a lot (remodeled in May/June), but ended up eating out a lot too. (was just my husband and me thought0. In the end it all made me appreciate my new kitchen even more and we certainly made up for it with almost all home cooked meals afterwards.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:04:55 +0000

I did a kitchen remodel last summer. Was supposed to be 6 weeks, was much longer. My biggest advise is to get an electric skillet. Between the grill, wok, and crockpot we still ate pretty good. Also use paper plates. Not exactly environmentally friendly but better then doing dished in the bathroom sink.