Dinner time. It’s my least favorite chore at home. If I had to choose between scrubbing the toilet or tackling a mountain of laundry, I’d gladly take those over cooking any day. Honestly, if it were up to me, I’d rather sip on a refreshing gin and tonic and munch on some pretzels for dinner. But alas, I have kids, and they can’t thrive on gin alone. They require protein and, perhaps, a vegetable or two. As a (mostly) stay-at-home parent, I find myself in the kitchen most evenings, but let me tell you, I’m far from enthusiastic about it. Here’s why:
- Grocery Shopping: Wandering through the aisles of local grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Safeway is an absolute nightmare. From the battle for parking spots to realizing I’ve left the shopping list at home and the chaos of the produce section, I’d rather endure a root canal than go grocery shopping.
- The Food Groups: In my quest to be the responsible parent, I try to whip up balanced meals, but there’s always some obstacle. Not everyone in the family agrees on the same veggies, and I refuse to make both broccoli and spinach. If they manage to eat two of the five food groups at dinner, I consider it a win. This means that cereal often makes its way onto our dinner table, and honestly, I’m okay with that.
- Raw Chicken: Chicken is a staple in our diet, and I’ve perfected three chicken recipes: Indian Chicken, Fiesta Chicken, and Roast Chicken. Yet, I’d rather deal with the messiest diaper than touch raw chicken. It’s slimy and has that unsettling pinkish-tan color, plus those weird yellow fat strands—no, thank you!
- Cooked Chicken: Because steak is life. Juicy, savory, perfectly seared steak—just saying it makes my mouth water.
- Odor Overload: I can’t stand how I smell after cooking. Despite tying my hair back and blasting the kitchen exhaust fan, I still end up smelling like a diner cook. Curry, garlic, onions, or the dreaded roast chicken scent seems to cling to me for days. Not exactly a desirable fragrance.
- Clothing Casualties: Somehow, I always manage to get marinara sauce on my sleeves or a splash of oil on my shirt while sautéing organic veggies. My cooking endeavors frequently lead to a wardrobe malfunction, which is why I should probably invest in an apron.
- Aprons: Let’s talk about aprons. I’m not a fan. They remind me of those 1950s sitcoms where the mom is always tied to the kitchen. Wearing one feels like a throwback I’d rather avoid, even if it means ruining yet another shirt.
- Dinner Time Disappearing Act: After hearing my kids dramatically proclaim they’re “starving” every five minutes, when it’s finally time for dinner, they seem to vanish. Suddenly, they’re engrossed in their screens and can survive on a diet of Minecraft and cartoons.
- Unappreciated Efforts: After putting so much effort into preparing a meal, it stings when no one eats what I’ve made. Whether they’ve secretly snacked on leftover candy or suddenly decided they hate Indian Chicken, it’s disheartening.
- Clean Up: After a chaotic dinner, the mess of greasy plates and food splatters left behind feels overwhelming. But, hey, can’t the one who cooked get a break from cleaning? Pass the wine instead!
For those of you also feeling the dinner blues, you might find some humor in this relatable post about the struggles of meal prep. And if you’re looking for more resources about family planning and insemination, check out this informative link. Plus, for anyone considering at-home insemination, CryoBaby offers reliable kits that can help. Another great resource for pregnancy information can be found here.
Summary
Cooking dinner is a chore that many parents dread, filled with grocery shopping woes, unappreciated meals, and the aftermath of cleanup. The struggle is real, but it’s a shared experience among parents everywhere.
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