Early on in motherhood with many littles by my side, cooking was often not really ‘cooking’. It may have been carefully crafted cut-outs of cheese, meat and crackers or sizzling grilled cheese with a side of whatever fruit was on hand. That is the key, what was on hand. Much of the preparation was simply planning ahead to have options readily available. Ideally, I would head out while the kids were at home with dad. I would take a glorious few hours to linger through the isles selecting the choicest goldfish crackers to the latest version of Cheerios. I really do love to cook. Sometimes when the mom survival hat is on, cooking becomes a bit of a challenge. I don’t like to say burden as it implies gratitude is lacking. However, there were many days I would feel overwhelmed with what to feed five kids again and add dinner to the mix that would satisfy the adults of the home. More often than not, I shopped with all of them at my side which was always a lesson in timing, patience, introduction of life-skills and yes, even moments of fun (did I just say that?).

Homeschooling meant no bag lunches, simpler right? Some days it was, others a complicated mess of demands from different palates. This also allowed the kids to get involved more with food prep and express opinions! Waiting for dad to arrive home from work was a lesson in patience. We ate together every evening (unless an activity collided – which is a post for another day!). There is an hour, let’s say 4 o’clockish, stomachs decide it’s not only snack time, but dinner is too close to wait any longer. The dilemma presented was feed them a snack and satisfy the hunger, or wait and they will actually eat and enjoy time with dad at the dinner table. His arrival home was never soon enough. The kids often couldn’t wait, so I unfolded a plan. Feed the kids dinner early, satisfy their needs and when dad arrived home we all sat together and had ‘dessert with daddy’. This allowed us to be together, kids fed and enjoying what could have been chocolate chips and bananas to marshmallows on a skewer. Didn’t have to be fancy, phew! We, the adults, would eat our dinner along side of the kids and had some great dinner moments. This became a great way to calm the hungry littles and allow us time together as a family.

 Thoughts 4 mom:

1. Ask your kids for a favourite meal and weave it into the week. Have them be your sous chef. This allows for time together creating something they like and can then can eagerly share with the family.

2.  Create a list ahead of time with your kids and take them shopping together (or alone if you can) and plan for some great snacks they can enjoy immediately following the grocery shop. The on your way to the car for survival kind. Maybe more for the ride home?

3.Plan a meal, double it, bring it to your neighbour! Just a great way to bless others and have your kids get involved in serving with the gift of food. With this memory they are more likely to repeat it!

4. Make it simple. Grab a platter and add bite-sized, filling food for a lunch. I would put out crackers, cheese, hummus, peanut butter, nutella, fruit and some veggies. Little sweet, little savoury. Toothpicks make it fun and interactive. Grab a laptop and play funniest home videos with animals. We used to put it on just as we were finishing lunch and had some good belly laughs.

These are simple thoughts that I tried when they were younger. When food becomes interactive, memories are made and most importantly, all are fed. Dear mom, food requires effort but lean on others for ideas and strength. Meals with others moms and their kids have always been some of their fondest memories. As a team it becomes much more enjoyable and adds something special to our moments and days.

These days we are not able to connect as we so desire. Take the time to build in some creativity. It may end up being some of your favourite memories! One of our greatest memories during the early months of pandemic were theme meals. Our kids would team up and create, prepare the meal and serve it, including a menu and all!

Sippy cups, Ikea plates, cereal and fruit are simple additions to any table, even at dinner. Some of the dinner highlights for our kids were (still are!) breakfast for dinner.

Keep it simple and have fun! What’s for dinner? Share you thoughts!!