Let’s be honest: cooking isn’t my favorite activity. People often tell me, “Just give it a try; you’ll come to enjoy it.” Spoiler alert: I don’t. Not everyone is destined to be a culinary genius. If we were, every corner would boast gourmet establishments whipping up dishes like beef Wellington and risotto, and I could finally unleash my inner kitchen dictator. Unfortunately, I’m not blessed with a passion for food beyond the essentials, and I often struggle just to preheat the oven. Here’s why cooking, especially now that I have kids, feels more like a burden:
- Daily Demand
The family expects dinner every single night. Where’s the excitement in that? If we visited the zoo every day, wouldn’t it lose its charm? How about a meal plan that only requires cooking every other night? Everyone would be more thrilled and hungry for dinner! - Time-Consuming
By the time I might have ruined a meal, we could have easily ordered pizza and moved on to bath time. - Boredom
Let’s face it—staring at chicken sizzling in a pan isn’t exactly riveting entertainment. If I zone out for a moment, there’s a real risk of setting the kitchen ablaze. - Messy Business
Cooking is inherently messy. No matter how much I clean as I go, food somehow escapes to places like the floor or the burner coils. It’s like a game of culinary hide-and-seek, and there’s always a mess to deal with afterward. - Stressful Environment
You won’t find anyone on a cooking show dodging kids while trying to prepare a meal. Toss in a couple of little ones, and the kitchen transforms into a mini version of The Hunger Games. - Complexity
Venture beyond tacos or spaghetti, and cooking suddenly involves complicated steps and fancy terms like “fillet” and “render.” It feels like I’m entering a cooking competition rather than just making dinner. - Picky Eaters
Unless it’s peanut butter sandwiches or yogurt with M&Ms, my family tends to stare forlornly at their plates of chicken and veggies. - Endless Dishes
No escaping this one. Even if we resorted to using paper plates, there would still be pots and pans to clean. Believe me, I’ve tried making meals on paper plates, and it didn’t go well. - Prep Time
From grocery shopping to meal prep, it all consumes precious time. Whether I’m planning for a Crock-Pot dinner or just need to chop some veggies, it all adds up to time I’d rather spend relaxing. - Leftover Woes
Also known as “the food that no one touched and is now a science experiment in the fridge.”
For folks like me, cooking can feel like a hassle. “Let them eat cake,” we say, “as long as we don’t have to make it.” Dining out isn’t always feasible, so I stick to simple meals for my kids and myself. Perhaps one day I’ll find the time and motivation to explore new recipes, but until then, I’ll settle for takeout.
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Summary
Cooking for my family can often feel like a never-ending chore filled with stress, mess, and picky eaters. Despite the love many have for it, I find myself overwhelmed by the daily demands and complexities of meal prep. Until I find the motivation to truly embrace it, simple meals and takeout are my go-to solutions.