First attempt at shortribs

Today is a big day- I'm making braised shortribs ( a recipe from Anne Burrell on the Food Network) for the first time. For me, they're pretty involved: processing veggies into a paste, browning the short ribs, adding tomato paste and wine, cooking some more, covering with water, and baking (with some occasional turning and attention) for 3 hours. Given my schedule with the kids, this is going to take some serious logistical planning, some serious prep in the morning, and staying home all afternoon to tend to the cauldron of meat (oh, and also keeping the kids from breaking things or hurting one another while I do this). How can it be that a cooking endeavor like this one takes so much time, stamina, planning? This better be good...