To give up cooking?

[Kikibanana86]

I separated from my husband 18 no this ago. He is a real foodie, and would complain if I ever made the same meal twice in a few weeks or if something wasn't organic and made completely from scratch.

The pressure of thinking of new thing's to cook, the shopping, the cooking and the cleaning the kitchen afterwards drove me mad, plus we have 5 children together! (I had 5 in 5 years!)

To be fair to him he did cook at weekends but I was left to it in the week as I was sahm and he works full time mon-fri.

When he moved out I felt so liberated not having to worry about it anymore, I cooked what me and the kids fancied and on the 3 nights a week he has them he cooks them (really lovely) meals at his place.

It's made me realise I really hate cooking. I'm not a natural and even though the youngest is nearly 3 I still find it hard concentrating and usually end up burning something! Plus sometimes they never eat it!

Part of me would love to be "that" mum who is always in the kitchen baking cakes and making lovingly prepared meals but now I realise that's just not me!

Last night we had pizza with salad and tonight we're having a (ready) roasted chicken, with more salad! the only mess was the plates and cutlery which my 8 yr old washed up in return for time on the computer!

I told my friend I'm giving up cooking and she looked at me like I'm mad! Am I?

[Kikibanana86]

18 months! Sorry

[ErrolTheDragon]

Of course you're not mad. Sounds like you deserve a break from cooking! You'll probably find a new balance in your life with a mix of convenience and non-fussy homecooked. Your kids may be able to help with the latter - they will need to be able to do some basic cookery and it sounds like your ex might scare them off it.

Enjoy your liberation!

[IslandLife]

If you hate cooking and you cooked different meals every night from scratch then not only do you deserve time off, you deserve a medal! I hate cooking and am rubbish at it. Luckily DP has a child's taste in food, so spag bol, chillis, beans on toast, chicken etc...are all favourites! As long as your kids are happy then go for it.

[Birdsgottafly]

As long as your children are still getting a 'proper' meal, which they will be at your exs.

My Mother hated cooking (and housework). Consequently, there was no full meal perpetration and eating.

I ate parts of a meal and then toast etc.

I had to learn how to plan, prepare and eat, full meals. Which was better nutritionally and calorie wise.

Things like precooked chickens etc are just shortcuts.

I also think 'picnic' teas, pizza nights are obviously nice, on film nights etc.

[formerbabe]

I love cooking but I'm getting fed up with it. Once you have kids, it becomes just another chore to be done day after day! It creates so much mess too. I use lots of shortcuts...sachets of rice, frozen mash, pre prepped veg etc.

Do whatever makes your life easier and happier!

[WorraLiberty]

If a parent of 5 told me they'd given up cooking, I think I'd look at them like they've gone made too, to be fair.

But you haven't given up really, have you?

You sound as though you're just chilling out about it now.

[Kikibanana86]

Yeah maybe, but I'm trying to stay away from anything that needs boiling or frying lol! I will still feed them obviously! I just mean I'm giving up on the idea that I should be some kind of domestic goddess.

I'm good at lots of things, but I've just sort of had an epiphany that it's ok for me to be good at some things and not at others, I don't have to be good at everything and be a super mum.