When my three children were infants, their food intake was minimal. As toddlers, their diets consisted mostly of crackers and the occasional fruit. I often wondered why feeding kids was perceived as expensive, as I managed to stick to my modest grocery budget effortlessly. However, as they grew older, their appetites surged, and now I find myself questioning: Where do they put all that food? Didn’t I just buy two gallons of milk? What happened to my savings?
I cherish my large family, but grocery shopping often makes me rethink our decision to expand. I tend to be frugal, and the thought of purchasing a cartload of items from a wholesale club makes me uneasy. Each beep at the checkout sends a shiver down my spine.
Buying in bulk has become essential with so many seemingly insatiable mouths to feed. No cereal box is large enough; what is labeled “family-sized” barely lasts through one meal. Breakfast has transformed from a few eggs and a couple slices of bacon to dozens of eggs and pounds of bacon. A gallon of milk vanishes within days.
Unfortunately, almost nothing stays in the pantry for long. I can fill the fridge to the brim, only to return hours later to find it nearly empty. My cries of “What happened to all the groceries?” are met with the innocent reminder from my kids, “Hey Mom, can you grab some more mini-muffins next time? They were delicious!”
When I received a new blender for the holidays, I was thrilled—mostly for making smoothies, but also for the health benefits. However, my excitement quickly faded upon realizing the cost of preparing smoothies in bulk. While others can whip up a quick blend with a few pieces of fruit, I require an entire bunch of bananas and a hefty container of berries, which makes each smoothie feel like a small financial investment for my kids to down in seconds before asking for more snacks.
When friends come over, the situation only worsens. My children invite their pals over, and I can practically hear them thinking, “Can my friend come over and devour everything in sight?” A gathering of kids leads to rapid consumption of food, as though they were a swarm of locusts.
During mealtimes, whether or not we have guests, I find myself preparing enormous quantities of food. I’ve had to replace my standard pots and pans with cookware that can accommodate our needs; a regular-sized pot simply won’t suffice for three batches of pasta. I now make soup by the gallon, and my meatloaf resembles a small log.
Eating out is a whole different experience with a large family. When they were younger and still in their picky eating phase, it was easy to share meals or order a single kids’ meal. Nowadays, it’s a separate kids’ meal for each one, which adds up quickly. Soon enough, they’re eyeing the adult menu, and then comes the chorus of requests for appetizers and desserts. The bill skyrockets, and even dollar menus become costly when you’re ordering for a crowd.
While I wouldn’t trade my boisterous and hungry household for anything, it would be nice if my kids didn’t seem to be eating their way through their college funds, one bulk package of string cheese at a time. At least with all that food, they’ll have the energy they need to stay active.
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In summary, feeding a large family requires strategic planning, substantial resources, and a good sense of humor as you navigate the challenges of grocery shopping and meal preparation. The experience may be overwhelming at times, but the joy of family togetherness is priceless.