It's been a little while since I've participated in this weekly event. I just haven't been organized enough to pull it off, I guess. Also, I am in the process of re-vamping my menu planning process, so that's been my focus.
This week, it's nothing exciting. At all. But, more about that in my vent :)
Monday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken noodle soup
Tuesday: Chicken patties
Wednesday: Hot dogs
Thursday: Creamy Crock Pot Chicken with noodles
Friday: Sloppy Joes
Saturday: Pizza night
Sunday: Lasagna Cups
So...here's my vent. I am hoping that by blowing off some steam here, I will be able to make dinner tonight without being bitter about it.
I spend what I think is a fair amount of time planning, shopping for and cooking dinner. I am starting to get very angry about the whole process. I start in the kitchen around 5pm cleaning up and clearing some work space. Our kitchen counter and tablee are hot spots and tons of stuff seem to end up on them. One of my 4 year olds is very into "craft projects" right now and she uses our table as her work space. So I get those cleaned off but will spend the next hour defending that space from more "projects", toys, mail, etc. Usually about this time, someone starts crying and two others start fighting. It's unfortunate that dinner comes at such a tough time of the day.
Once dinner is ready, it's like pulling teeth to get anyone to even come in and eat. With a family of 6, it's almost impossible to fine something that everyone loves, for every meal. But I do try and respect some of the pickiness (no chunky tomatoes, no rice, etc) and I try to have at least one thing that I know each person will like and eat. However...lately I've been met with comments like, "Can I have a peanut butter sandwich?" or "Wow! If I hold my nose while I eat this, I can't taste it."
So...I finally get the kids in and they are done eating usually before my husband is ready to eat because he has a knack for making himself unavailable right at crunch time. This seems too work for him, though, because he will just grab a book and eat in peace.
Then everyone is done, but they'll be back soon asking about dessert or for a snack, even though I remind them during dinner, that they have to eat dinner if they want something later. There appears to be a short-term memory problem here :(
Then it's over. Everyone has quickly left the kitchen and I am left to clean up and put away leftovers of stuff that no one ate in the first place. It's now about 7pm and I am usually pretty irritated. That's two hours of my life, every day.
I am making things that I know most people will eat this week and that are low stress for me. We can only eat these so much which is why I try and plan a menu that is a little more varied. However, that doesn't seem to be working either. I am very close to just pointing out the cereal and cold cuts. We'll see how this week goes.
3 comments:
I'm right there with you! Take a deep breath and know that they will eventually appreciate all you do, and that you are doing something that matters. I frequently point out the cereal/peanut butter/cold cuts! This, alas, does not get the kitchen clean...
Big (((hugs))) to you... I have a hard time figure out what 2 ppl will eat let alone 6!! I hope this week goes smooth for you...
Now I understand why you don't love the after school hours! :-) Hope at least the majority of the clan eat something each day and if not, I say, let them make their own PB&J's! xoxo
Post a Comment