It all started when someone said, "EW! Not again!" When I told them what was for dinner. For the umpteenth time. Rolling eyes, slumped forks, standoffs involving grouchiness on all sides, it was all too much. So instead of soliciting their suggestions-again-I put them in charge.
That's right.
I have a five year old in charge of my dinner this week.
The rules are that they have to be healthy, and that they also have to be affordable. So after a round of shooting down, which is so much fun, of mac 'n cheese, ramen noodles, and brownies for dinner, they chose something I deemed Dinner.
We made a list of what they needed. We went shopping. We practiced looking at nutrition labels. We checked out. Even Hubbend pitched in and made angel hair spaghetti last night. He was a little peeved when I insisted on whole wheat noodles. He's been to Italy, he's seen their collective BMI. I reminded him that they weren't here buying his food for him and we were good. Ish.
So today miss THANG is cooking her favorite meal, and tomorrow Beansprout is making everyone make their own sub sandwich. Genius, both of them really. Even if it makes the cooking part of dinner more difficult it is making one huge part of dinner easier. Responsibility. No more am I the only one bearing the burden of What to have, When to have it, If I have the right ingredients. At least one person at the table will like dinner.
Plus, they know how to cook at least one meal by the end of eternity. They know how to shop for it, plan for it, they know how hard it is to do what I do. I am saving their life really.
What a relief.
Whose life are you saving with food this week?
**Updated to add that MrsFatass is writing for us over at my new venture The Peanut Gallery Speaks. Please come visit her there and cheer her on!**
That's right! Get the family involved. I TRY to do this with my kids, but it's only 35% success rate. And I do it because I lazy-hate to cook.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this idea! Holy cow I love it. And you.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I wish I had thought of that when mine were that age. And not it is like pulling teeth to get my teen to come up with ideas. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThat is the MOST BRILLIANT IDEA on the planet. I am so totally stealing IT!!! YOU are AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Marisa, I'm stealing this idea as well - it's brilliant...why didn't I think of it? :) I've only read the past few days of your blog so far, but love it! Totally relate...look forward to following you. (Sounds stalkish.)
ReplyDeleteYES! What you're doing really WORKS! I started "meal planning" with my kids when they were tall enough to work safely in the kitchen (i.e....no chairs pushed up to the stovetop!). They are all teenagers now, and take weekly rotations planning and cooking dinner for the family. Teen Son#1 made hamburgers last night...yum!
ReplyDeleteYou. Are. Amazing! And you have an award over at my blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your perserverance and inspiration.
Jae
Well, I just have to say that I love the way your write. I have zeor children, mainly bc they need attention and you have to buy them things, but I think it sounds like a wonderful plan!
ReplyDeleteWell, I just have to say that I love the way your write. I have zeor children, mainly bc they need attention and you have to buy them things, but I think it sounds like a wonderful plan!
ReplyDeletelove it..for when I have kids (put in mental note file)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Bring them into it and they'll feel better about it. Glad it's working out for you! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. I have just been talking to my little one about helping me in the kitchen and hope to start getting him involved soon, even though he's only three. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this -- they will thank you for this....trust me.
ReplyDeleteHaHA! I make Cody choose what we're eating all the time, so then he can't complain about not getting what he wants. Not that he does...but if he did, it would be silly. SILLY I SAY.
ReplyDeleteHuh! Food for thought ... no really ... you might have something there.
ReplyDeleteThis is so much better than eating monsters FOR dinner. Great idea...for realz....and a great memory maker too. Way to go Mom!
ReplyDeleteI love it! You are so smart to get them involved at such an early age!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog. Love it!
ReplyDeleteOh, I can relate!!
ReplyDeleteMy kids have started a blog devoted to their time in the kitchen (they are obsessed with cooking!) so they can share recipes and pics... have a peek...
http://kimberlysculinarykids.blogspot.com/
Have a great day! Kimberly