Dinner preparation is my least favorite household chore. Honestly, I’d tackle a filthy bathroom or a mountain of laundry any day over whipping up a meal. If it were solely up to me, dinner would consist of a refreshing gin and tonic paired with a bag of pretzels. But alas, I have kids, and they can’t thrive on gin alone; they need a bit of protein and, maybe, something green. As the (mostly) stay-at-home parent, I find myself in the kitchen most evenings, though I certainly don’t relish the role of chef. Here’s a glimpse into my dinner-making woes:
- Grocery Shopping: Navigating the aisles of stores like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Safeway weekly feels like a torturous mission. Between the fierce competition for parking spots, forgetting my shopping list on the counter, and the chaos in the produce section, I’d prefer to endure a root canal instead.
- The Five Food Groups: In an effort to be a responsible parent, I attempt to plan balanced meals, but it’s a constant struggle. Not everyone enjoys the same vegetables, and I refuse to serve both broccoli and spinach. If they manage to eat two out of the five food groups during dinner, I consider that a win — which means cereal often qualifies as a nutritious dinner option in our home.
- Raw Chicken: We consume a lot of chicken, so I’ve honed my skills on just three dishes: Spicy Chicken, Fiesta Chicken, and Roast Chicken. However, I’d rather deal with little kid messes than touch raw chicken. It’s slimy, has an unsettling pinkish-beige hue, and if it still has skin, it looks too much like it’s still alive for my comfort. Gross.
- Cooked Chicken: Because let’s be honest, steak is where it’s at. Juicy, perfectly seared steak makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
- I Smell Like a Diner: The aroma that lingers on me after cooking is unbearable. Despite putting my hair up and running the exhaust fan at full blast, I still end up smelling like a short-order cook, reeking of garlic, curry, or — heaven forbid — roast chicken for days. Not exactly a charming scent.
- I Ruin My Clothes: Somehow, I always manage to get marinara sauce on my sleeve or splatter oil down my shirt while sautéing organic kale or spinach (and, of course, onions). Cooking often leads to me having to replace my favorite t-shirts. Clearly, I should just wear an apron.
- Aprons: I’m not a fan of aprons; they feel outdated. They remind me of those 1950s sitcoms where the mom is perpetually in the kitchen or dusting the furniture. Aprons make my inner feminist cringe, so I’d rather ruin yet another t-shirt than don one.
- “Dinner!” Yelling to No Avail: After my kids dramatically declare they’re “starving” every five minutes for the last half hour, they suddenly disappear when dinner is served. It’s as if they’ve discovered a new diet of Minecraft and their favorite shows.
- The Unappreciated Meal: My carefully crafted meal often goes unnoticed as the kids either had a secret stash of candy or suddenly decide they no longer “like” my famous Spicy Chicken. The emphasis here is on the pain that goes into preparing it!
- Clean-Up Chaos: The aftermath of dinner is always a mess, with greasy plates and food smeared all over the table. Wait a minute: if I’m the one cooking, surely I’m exempt from clean-up duty, right? Fantastic. Now, where’s that wine?
If you can relate to the struggle, you’re not alone. For some humorous insights into the trials of cooking, check out this entertaining post over on our blog. Plus, if you’re exploring options for home insemination, this article from Make A Mom is a fantastic resource. And for more information on IVF and fertility preservation, be sure to listen to this podcast from the Cleveland Clinic.
In summary, dinner prep can be a chaotic adventure filled with frustrating moments, but you’re definitely not alone in this kitchen struggle. Let’s raise a glass (of gin and tonic, perhaps) to the trials of cooking for our families!