20 Ways to Simplify Shabbat Prep in Every Season of Motherhood

Shabbat

Jun 6

There’s something sacred about the calm that settles over a home right before Shabbat. But let’s be honest—getting to that calm moment can feel anything but peaceful.

Whether you're navigating sleepless nights with a newborn, homeschooling multiple kids, working full-time, or all of the above, the hours before candlelighting often feel more like a marathon than a gentle lead-in to rest.

The truth is: Shabbat prep changes with every season. Some weeks feel beautifully intentional. Others? A bit chaotic. But no matter your current pace, one thing remains the same—Shabbat is a gift, and preparing for it shouldn’t leave you burned out.

Because rest isn’t about getting it all done. It’s about returning to the Garden, to God, and to each other.

Here are 20 grace-filled, practical tips from Our Shabbat Home to help you simplify Shabbat prep and actually enjoy the rest you’ve been looking forward to all week.

1. Make Rest the Goal—Not Perfection

If you enter Shabbat with unfolded laundry and an undone to-do list, you're not doing it wrong. You're doing it human. God commands us to rest—not once everything is perfect, but in the middle of imperfection.

2. Build a Shabbat Basket for Kids

Fill a special box with activities, books, and quiet toys that only come out on Shabbat. This gives your kids something to look forward to and helps you enjoy a little stillness.

3. Keep a Shabbat Pantry Shelf

Stock it with shelf-stable foods you can pull out when life happens—challah in the freezer, tuna, soup, rice, olives, grape juice. A simple meal is still a sacred one.

4. Start on Wednesday or Thursday

Even doing one thing early—planning the menu, grocery shopping, chopping veggies—lightens the load on Friday and shifts your heart toward rest ahead of time.

5. Use a Slow Cooker (or Two!)

Let your crockpot work while you clean or go to synagogue. Some mamas keep two going—one for breakfast, one for lunch. The less you're in the kitchen on Shabbat, the more present you can be.

6. Write It Down

Make a list of what actually needs to happen before Shabbat. Include non-food things: bills, gas, returns. A checklist clears mental clutter and prevents that “I’m forgetting something” feeling.

7. Use Oven-to-Table Containers

Glass containers like Pyrex are your best friend. Prep, store, heat, and serve—all in the same dish. No extra dishes to scrub after sundown.

8. Let the Kids Help

Even little ones can prep with you—fold napkins, clear toys, pick a centerpiece. Older kids can help sweep, cook, or light candles. When everyone contributes, Shabbat becomes a shared joy, not a solo chore. Get the kids helping and everyone on the same page with a Shabbat Checklist.

9. Sign Off Socials Before Sundown

Set a Friday afternoon alarm to log off emails and social media. Even that little shift tells your soul: it’s time to rest.

10. Make a "Core Four" Meal List

Pick 3–5 favorite Shabbat dinners to rotate—think roast chicken and salad, lentil soup and bread, pasta and veggies. Meal planning becomes plug-and-play.

11. Choose One Thing to Simplify Each Week

This might be skipping dessert, using paper plates, or buying pre-cut veggies. Let one thing go to give yourself space for what matters most.

12. Double Up During the Week

Make extra soup on Tuesday or double the chicken on Thursday night. Freeze half and pull it out for Shabbat. This spreads out the prep without adding more to your plate.

13. Create a Weekly Reminder Ritual

Put a verse or sticky note where you’ll see it—on your planner, the fridge, or your phone lock screen: “Shabbat is coming. Prepare with joy.” A gentle nudge can reframe your whole Friday.

14. Have a Favorite Potluck Dish on Standby

If you're gathering with others, keep an easy go-to recipe you can make in your sleep (hello, kugel or tabbouleh!) so Shabbat meals don’t become a burden.

15. Prep Simple Snacks for Saturday

Think fruit trays, boiled eggs, popsicles, or muffins. If you have little ones, Saturday snacks are a lifesaver when meals are simple and ovens stay off.

16. Grill It, Don’t Scrub It

If weather permits, hand off dinner to the grill. Fewer dishes, fresh air, and minimal cleanup—it’s a win for everyone.

17. Empty the Dishwasher First

A small thing that makes a huge difference. You’ll thank yourself on Saturday when dirty dishes can go into an empty dishwasher instead of piling up in the sink.

18. Have Study Books Ready

Whether you go to shul or not, having a little bookshelf with your Bible, Torah portions, devotionals, or nature-inspired study guides helps you enter into rest with intention, not boredom.

19. Let Go of the Shoulds

You don’t have to make homemade challah. You don’t have to iron tablecloths. Ask yourself what makes you feel peaceful, and let that be enough.

20. Remember Why You’re Doing This

You're not prepping for a show. You’re preparing to welcome the King of Kings. You're creating a rhythm of delight for your children. You're stepping into sacred space. And however that looks this week—it’s beautiful.