Our responsibilities are large when it comes to feeding a family… some of them include:

1. Creating and sticking to a budget for grocery shopping
2. Actually shopping for groceries or ordering groceries online
3. Organizing/categorizing grocery food items when you get it home from the store 
4. Monitoring food supply in the house to ensure there’s enough for everyone at each meal
5. Taking a regular inventory of what you have on hand and what you need 
6. Taking family members’ food preferences into consideration (potentially managing picky eaters, food allergies, etc)
7. Planning and putting together meals and snacks 
8. Worrying about food waste or not having enough food
9. Repurposing leftovers for new meals
10. Actually cooking meals (sometimes 3+ times per day)
11. Organizing + minimizing your kitchen to make it efficient for cooking
12. Mealtime and cooking clean-up 
13. Thinking about nutrition, wondering if everyone’s getting what they need
14. Addressing family members who don’t like the food you’ve prepared (que the complaining) (usually one of the three of my kids)

A few simple tips to feeding your family when you are mentally over it: 

TIP #1 Identify The Pain Points and Change It Up

Questions to ask: What is making me feel burnt out? Is no one home to eat the meals I cook, am I burnt out by making the same meals each week? Am I just plain tired of planning? If I am feeling overwhelmed: Next time that wave of overwhelm comes over you: pause the situation and assess- literally look around and take a mental note. Is dinner a last minute thing- kids are crying- it’s late at night- your creativity is zapped- you feel guilty for ordering take out because its so expensive. 

Then progress forward and change the pain points. Then change it up- so meal prep at nap time in the afternoon- chop up some veggies, onions, and or get the dutch oven going with meat of choice. Grab the ingredients for dinner and place them on the countertop. Small changes to get your overwhelm under control is key.

Tip #2 Stop Asking The Questions: Make What You Want and Are Excited About Making

 I would always ask my husband- what do you prefer for dinner this week- he would say I am not sure- I stopped asking and now creatively plan our meals each week. I was worried about pleasing everyone and I would ultimately end up frustrated.

Tip #3– MEET YOURSELF WHERE YOU’RE AT

Give yourself grace!  Sometimes the expectations we might have for ourselves (when it comes to feeding our family) feel impossible right from the start. Think simple and shop simple: maybe try to have a simple meal week. Nothing is fancy and there are 6 ingredients or less to each meal. Maybe at the end of the week try a fun new recipe on the weekend so you have something to look forward to- in case you are feeling bored with your selection.

• BBQ Chicken, Veggies, and Rice
• Steak, Veggies and Rice
• 1 pot pasta: beef, sauce, pasta (spaghetti)
• Vegan Ramen Dish (fun and exciting)

Tip #4: Change Up The Environment

Sometimes getting stuck in a routine rut or everyday rut can bleed over into meal time burn out. Sometimes, something as simple as changing the normal day-to-day environment of your mealtime routine can be enough to give you some mental space and clarity.  Weather permitting- take meals out to the park, on the lawn, or HAVE A DANCE PARTY IN YOUR KITCHEN.. try it out. Hey google- play Disney music and put it on full blast. It changes the mood literally. 

Tip #5:  Know Your Role

I know everyone will relate with me in worrying about nutritional intake, food consumption and variety of young children. We are solely responsible for deciding what, when, and where you are feeding your child; So you provide and the child decides. 

Stick to your feeding job as a parent- you have dont so much of the hard work already – there is no need to make it any harder with things we truly cannot control like how much broccoli our child decides they want to have.

Tip #6: Family Style Meals- No Short Order Cook

Making multiple meals to cater to everyone’s preferences will burn anyone out and fast….. Just start serving what you serve and let them decide- as mentioned above.  This silly and fun kids book called The Seven Silly Eaters illustrates this pain point! A great read. 

Even if your picky eater doesnt like the whole meal- there are some elements to the meal they may takes liking to. 

Tip #7- Do A Takeout Day When You Need It!

 

Want to learn more about cooking food from scratch?

Check out my YOUTUBE Channel

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