Embracing parenthood comes with a whole laundry list of responsibilities: laundry, cleaning, lecturing—and yes, cooking. Like many parents, I tackle these tasks with a smile, grateful for the opportunity to care for my family. I can fold socks and pick up toys like a champ, and I can definitely deliver a lecture when needed. But when it comes to cooking? That’s where I draw the line. Despite my best efforts, I’ve come to terms with the fact that cooking just isn’t for me. Here are ten reasons why cooking for a family is a struggle:
- Repetition is the Enemy: Doing anything 3-5 times a day, every single day, can turn even the most enjoyable activities into a chore. Whether it’s sex or chocolate, too much of a good thing becomes a bore.
- Grocery Store Gauntlet: Cooking requires food, and that means grocery shopping. Finding the time to go is a Herculean task. Sure, I could go while the kids are at school, but that’s a delicate balancing act of client calls and laundry. If I take them with me? Forget it. The number of times I have to say “no” to their demands is absurd.
- Misleading “Cooking”: The term “cooking” fails to capture the full scope: planning, prepping, and then the actual cooking. Just when everything’s ready to go, there’s always a kid needing help with homework or suddenly claiming they’re “not hungry.”
- The Great Unknown: Once the meal is finally served, it’s like an intense thriller. Will everyone enjoy it? Will I have to convince them to try a bite? Or will it turn into a “Three Bite Night,” where they declare themselves full before even finishing?
- Endless Clean-Up: After all the effort of cooking and convincing, there’s the inevitable clean-up. The satisfaction of a healthy meal is quickly overshadowed by the mountain of dishes waiting for me. Honestly, the satisfaction-to-effort ratio feels like 1:eleventy billion.
- Leftovers? No Thanks: After all that work, the last thing I want is to see that meal again. I’m not interested in round two of whatever culinary disaster I just created.
- The Guessing Game: Who’s joining us for dinner? Will my partner be home in time? Did they already eat at work? The uncertainty can turn dinner prep into a guessing game I never signed up for.
- Family Meals Aren’t Always Fun: I know Claire Huxtable would disapprove, but sometimes I don’t want to eat with my kids. Family dinners often devolve into fart jokes and video game stories I can’t follow. Can’t we just let them munch in front of the TV?
- Why So Many Parts?: Why can’t I just whip up a main dish and call it a day? Side dishes and veggies are just extra pots and pans I don’t want to deal with. And good luck hiding those greens; kids are like veggie detectives!
- The Snack Attack: Just when I think I’m done, it never fails. Within thirty minutes of the last dish being cleared, I hear, “I’m hungry. Can I have a snack?”
In summary, cooking for a family can feel like an uphill battle filled with planning, prep, uncertainty, and endless clean-up. But if you’re looking for alternative methods to grow your family, consider checking out this excellent resource and the home insemination kit options for support. Plus, for more insights on family and parenting, visit this blog.