Keeping the "Store" Stocked

"I don't like spaghetti."

"I love spaghetti."

"I want grilled cheese sandwiches."

Does this sound familiar? Maybe the sentences have different foods in them, but it happens. We cannot satisfy them all every day, and we should not have to. Keeping the family satisfied with meals can be such a struggle. There is the adventurous child who is will to give it a try. There is the picky child that will bock at anything new, or if their food is touching  another food they will not eat it. Then, there is the one who likes the meal one time, then make the same meal again a few weeks later and they no longer like it. Then there is making meals to please the husband and every once in awhile you make the meal around what you like, well one can dream right?

At this point, it is family meeting time. We have to make some changes and set some rules for meal time. Moms, you cannot and should not attempt to please them all at all times. So, gather the family together.

Menu Planning Will Become a Family Affair

Make a list of everyone's favorite meals. Ask them what they would like for suppers. The ground rules are not everyone will be getting a meal they like. Deal with it. Make yourself a bologna sandwich if you do not like what is being cooked. Do not complain about the meal. Your turn will come. 

Make a Grocery List

Take a trip through the kitchen to see what you already have on hand. This will hopefully keep you from buying 5 bottles of mustard! Ha! (Been there done that!) Then, go to each person in your family and ask them if they are needing anything that needs to be added to the list.  If an item does not make the list, then live without it, unless that item is deodorant. We do not want to stink too much!  If you have the option, take one of the kiddos with you to do some shopping. This is a wonderful way to get some one on one time with your kiddos.

Get the Family Cooking

Give each child and your hubby a night to cook. Here is what this looks like for my family.

Monday: Hubby (if he chooses to order pizza, then pizza it is!)
Tuesday: Cara
Wednesday: Abi
Thursday: Mom
Friday: Mom
Saturday: Mom (Leftover day!)
Sunday: Audrey

You do not have to cook each and every meal on your own. The kids make the choice as to what they want to make. You have no say, sort of. Ha! Make these times Memory Makers. Turn on Pandora and have blast being the helper to your kiddos. Create an atmosphere of success for them. I am here as a witness cooking builds confidence in your children. They will be proud of themselves for providing a meal for the family. 

Clean Up Time

The cooks do not clean up. The rest of the family can handle this. It is a way to show respect to the cook. Spend this time straightening up the rest of the house. If there is time afterwards, play a quick board game or card game. 

Managers have a big job to do. They make sure that it all gets done, but this is not something that has to be done only by the managers. It takes the entire family to make it all happen. Have fun creating memories!