I don't cook. I'm not going to say I can't, because I can make grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta with a jar of sauce, hot dogs, frozen vegetables and blueberry muffins. But I really don't like cooking, which I believe would have disqualified me had I actually had to apply to be a stay-at-home mom. Last week when I went out to lunch with the (stay-at-home) moms from Ironflower's class I was totally silent when the discussions turned to what their husbands fed the children when they weren't around. The list included grilled cheese, hot dogs, pasta and calling for pizza. I hope no one noticed my blush.
Fortunately, my Hot Guy loves to cook. Unfortunately, he is not around all the time.
It's not that I need him for breakfast or even lunch. Toasting things is not beyond my ability, nor is assembling sandwiches and microwaving pasta. But when Hubby is not here for dinner, I feel a sense of panic. Surely a real mom would feed them real food and not grilled cheese sandwiches? Some moms actually serve those for lunch!
Since Hot Guy has been in his latest show (Hot Guy does many things but his first love is acting and he is performing in this show, - go see it if you live in the New York area, thanks) he has missed a lot of dinners. And I have felt enormous pressure to perform.
Last night, my children each received a plate of hummus, pita chips, baby carrots, grapes, watermelon, cheddar cheese slices and pita bread. While none of this required actual cooking, I was very proud of my beautiful plating of all four food groups. I felt worthy of the stay-at-home mom title. I felt good about what my children were eating.
Except that they hardly ate any of it. Lovebug ate grapes, watermelon and hummus. Ironflower ate grapes and a pita chip. And though they don't eat much more when I put out hot dogs and peas, I felt defeated.
I know all about the zillions of times a child must be presented with a food before s/he accepts it. But they like all the foods I presented. I know that toddlers aren't big eaters. But two grapes? It's like they know I don't cook or plate with any skill or style. It's like they've given up on me.
Not that they eat much more when Hot Guy cooks. But he's not supposed to be super-mommy, is he? He's already super-daddy for being the only real cook.
I give up. I'm buying Hamburger Helper the next time I'm at the store.
10 comments:
you sound like you are doing great for someone who doesn't cook. that plate was probably more nutritious than some of the stuff we cook! they'll eat when they're hungry (that is what my mom always tells me) my kids are big and still don't eat that much...
It's hard to get children to eat vegetables and fruit. I was trying to get a hold of the book by Jessica Seinfeld- Deceptively Delicious. She purees her veggies and makes great low fat dishes and snacks that the kids seem to like. Anyway, good luck with the cooking.
Maybe it was just too many options (??) Maybe it was overwhelming for them. I know when I was still at home with my little one, I babysat some older kids after school and they LOVED that sort of snack plate lunch/dinner thing but the smaller kids, not so much.
And my daughter, LOVES hamburger helper - she must get that from me.
There's so much pressure on us, isn't there? I mean, you really did provide your kids with a great meal but we still have that voice inside us (where does it come from?) that says we're not REALLY providing for our family if it's not gourmet. I say you should feel good about having all that fresh produce in the house at one time!
We're going through the same thing with our kid (she's one). Here's my theory: don't sweat it unless your doctor calls child protective services because they aren't thriving. My kid's feeding habits and tastes change everyday, don't get frustrated and let it become a power struggle. Once they know they can use food as a means for control it's over and they are on the road to an eating disorder*
*for data on the eating disorder bit observe my mother!! 8-(
Bah! on people who think stay-at-home moms have to be super-chefs. We don't! Your kids eat. They're healthy. You're doing just fine.
There are days when Julia will hardly swallow a bite and other days, she's cleans her plate. It's just the way of the toddler. They'll get enough. Keep giving them nutritious options and they'll get what they need. Who cares if it took ten minutes or two hours to prepare? So what if it's basic?
I think it's great that your hubby cooks! There's nothing wrong with you letting him take the lead on it. I think you're brilliant! He's good at it, he likes it, let him do it! You've got enough on your plate, so to speak.
We're going through the same thing with our kid (she's one). Here's my theory: don't sweat it unless your doctor calls child protective services because they aren't thriving. My kid's feeding habits and tastes change everyday, don't get frustrated and let it become a power struggle. Once they know they can use food as a means for control it's over and they are on the road to an eating disorder*
*for data on the eating disorder bit observe my mother!! 8-(
It's hard to get children to eat vegetables and fruit. I was trying to get a hold of the book by Jessica Seinfeld- Deceptively Delicious. She purees her veggies and makes great low fat dishes and snacks that the kids seem to like. Anyway, good luck with the cooking.
Bah! on people who think stay-at-home moms have to be super-chefs. We don't! Your kids eat. They're healthy. You're doing just fine.
There are days when Julia will hardly swallow a bite and other days, she's cleans her plate. It's just the way of the toddler. They'll get enough. Keep giving them nutritious options and they'll get what they need. Who cares if it took ten minutes or two hours to prepare? So what if it's basic?
I think it's great that your hubby cooks! There's nothing wrong with you letting him take the lead on it. I think you're brilliant! He's good at it, he likes it, let him do it! You've got enough on your plate, so to speak.
Maybe it was just too many options (??) Maybe it was overwhelming for them. I know when I was still at home with my little one, I babysat some older kids after school and they LOVED that sort of snack plate lunch/dinner thing but the smaller kids, not so much.
And my daughter, LOVES hamburger helper - she must get that from me.
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