Ah, the joys of parenthood! It comes with its fair share of responsibilities—like laundry, cleaning, and yes, cooking. Like every dedicated mom (or dad), I strive to tackle these tasks with a smile, grateful for the chance to show my love through home-cooked meals. I can fold socks and pick up toys like a pro. But when it comes to cooking? Yeah, that’s where I draw the line. Despite my best efforts, I’ve come to terms with one undeniable truth: cooking is the worst. Here are ten reasons why!
- Daily Drudgery: Let’s be real—doing anything 3-5 times a day, every single day, turns into a chore. Even the most delightful things can feel like a grind when they become routine.
- Grocery Store Gauntlet: Cooking requires food, which means trips to the grocery store. This is rarely convenient. Sure, I could go while the kids are in school, but that’s a scheduling nightmare. Or I can drag them along, which usually leads to me saying “no” a million times. And don’t even get me started on the delightful game of Tetris I have to play just to get all the bags in the house!
- Misleading Cooking: The term “cooking” is a bit of a misnomer. It should come with a disclaimer about the planning and prepping that precedes it. Just when I think I’m ready to cook, one of the kids inevitably needs help with their homework or decides they’re suddenly “not hungry.”
- The Meal Mystery: Eating is like a suspenseful novel—how will it turn out? Will everyone enjoy the meal, or will I have to negotiate bites like a hostage situation? And of course, there’s always the dreaded “I’m full! Can I have dessert?” after just three bites.
- Endless Clean-Up: After the meal comes the dreaded clean-up. No matter how satisfying it is to create a healthy dish, the mountain of dirty dishes waiting for me is a real buzzkill. The ratio of satisfaction to the mess created? Let’s just say it’s not in my favor.
- Leftover Dread: After investing so much time and energy into a meal, do I really want to see it on my plate again? Nope, not a chance!
- Guessing Game: Who will actually be at the dinner table? Will my partner make it home in time, or have they already eaten? It’s like playing a game of roulette, and I always lose.
- Forced Family Time: I know I should cherish family dinners, but sometimes I just want to eat in peace. The dinner table often turns into a stage for fart jokes and incomprehensible video game stories. Is it really so wrong to let them watch TV while I eat?
- Side Dish Stress: Why can’t I just whip up a main dish and call it a day? Why must there be a side or veggie? The amount of pots and pans I have to use just for a single meal is absurd. And good luck hiding veggies; kids have a sixth sense for detecting green!
- Snack Attack: Just when I think I’m done, within half an hour of finishing the last dish, I hear those dreaded words: “I’m hungry. Can I have a snack?” Really?!
If you’re feeling my pain, you’re not alone. Check out our other blog post on home insemination options for more parenting insights. And for those curious about the process, this link offers great resources. Also, hop over to Hopkins Medicine for more excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Cooking for a family can feel like an endless cycle of chores, from grocery shopping to clean-up, with the added stress of uncertain meal enjoyment and family dynamics. While it’s a way to show love, the reality often leads to frustration rather than satisfaction.