to hate deciding what's for dinner

Toomuch2019 · 2021-09-03T16:25:29+00:00

A slightly lighthearted one but AIBU to hate being the one to decide what's for dinner? It gets to 4 and I start feeling super pissed off because it's time to think about it again. And it's made worse because the kids only seem to eat a handful of things. I get irritated then if it's something I can't be faffed with or I'm bored of eating. I realise probably IABU because I'm lucky to have food, I could meal plan or try and get my kids to eat a bigger variety of food but right now I'm so meh! Does anyone else feel like this????

Iggii · 03/09/2021 17:28

One dc (the fussy one) is out tonight and I'm so glad to not to have to feed him!

tapdancingmum · 03/09/2021 17:32

Every day of the week so we always end up having the same thing as last week as I just don't know what to cook.

It doesn't help that H doesn't eat a lot of things so normally make two dinners or a variation of one that I know he will eat but still have no ideas. I actually cooked something from scratch last week (only a casserole) and really enjoyed doing it so need a rethink of menus which don't include too much just opening the freezer and bunging it (chips) in the oven.

He is very good and will always cook on a Sunday and Christmas lunch plus if I can't be arsed he does but we still seem to spin from sameness to sameness.

I would love to have a chef that did it all for me 😃

Twotinydictators · 03/09/2021 17:32

You definitely need to meal plan so you only have to think about it once! You don't always have to assign each meal to a day either, just choose 7 meals for the week and eat them when you fancy.

I'd also draw up a list of kids meals that can some from the cupboard and freezer and keep those ingredients in stock. Like, pasta with tomato sauce and a portion of frozen veg, so you always have something simple to hand.

We've just started using Gousto and it's been a revelation! Such tasty meals, no waste and I only have to think about another 3 meals for the week. We've enjoyed the recipes so much that we've recreated some on the nights we don't have a Gousto delivery available! It is more expensive but then we've not had a single takeaway since.

StevieNix · 03/09/2021 17:35

Yes I feel like this but that’s why I have a meal plan in place and stick to it. Meal planning doesn’t have to be fancy meals from complicated recipes every night, even just things like a planned freezer meal or jacket potatoes etc. It just takes the thinking out of it for me.

Original poster

Toomuch2019 · 03/09/2021 17:36

@Iggii

One dc (the fussy one) is out tonight and I'm so glad to not to have to feed him!

Ah I love it when the kids are out too and we can eat the food we like (generally stuff with sauce mixed in)

OP posts:

Soupsseason · 03/09/2021 17:36

Do a meal plan. We spend a couple hrs on the weekend. I pick a couple meals, my Mr picks a couple meals, the kids pick something. Everything gets prepared in advance. Whoever gets home first can check the meal plan, pull out what they need and get dinner started.

SpnBaby1967 · 03/09/2021 17:38

I do a meal plan, but still feel annoyed at having to sort dinner every night

I fucking hate cooking, even if it's just beans on toast. I just hate the act of preparing food........I do enjoy eating it though

Original poster

Toomuch2019 · 03/09/2021 17:39

tapdancingmum that would be bliss

To those suggesting a meal plan yes I think that is what I need to do, and a good idea to share with everyone too, maybe it will help get the others helping!

OP posts:

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 03/09/2021 17:39

I've had macaroni cheese every night this week. I'm a disgrace.

FlyingScott · 03/09/2021 17:39

I meal plan for most nights but didn’t have anything last night…
I was going to do a shepherdess pie but then realised we didn’t have enough potatoes left.
Then I decided on macaroni cheese but didn’t have enough milk left
So….we got fish & chips!
So much easier to plan in advance.

FlyingScott · 03/09/2021 17:40

Macaroni cheese x post !

Popitdontstopit · 03/09/2021 17:41

Glwysen · 03/09/2021 17:42

I used to quite like cooking, now i hate it! The choosing is the worst bit. I do a two week meal plan which helps a bit but it is still bloody thankless

FlyingScott · 03/09/2021 17:42

Ooops! “Shepherdess pie” was meant to be shepherdless! (With lentils instead of beef)

MrsSugar · 03/09/2021 17:42

I totally agree. I bloody hate being the keeper of dinners. DH doesn’t think it’s that bad as he will literally eat anything he’s given even if it’s burnt ! I’m always asking other folk what they have for dinner to steal ideas lol

Mrsjayy · 03/09/2021 17:45

I know it's a faff but honestly meal planning will save you even if it's a combo of what the kids will eat try it will really improve your state of mind .

Mrsjayy · 03/09/2021 17:47

But get the kids involved they have to pick at least 1dinner a week do a menu.

Usernamenotavailabletryanother · 03/09/2021 17:47

Deciding what’s for dinner is the thing I hate most about parenthood.

I resent having to make the decision every single day. DH doesn’t even start to think about food until about 9pm. We argue about this most days as I have now refused to do the thinking it requires, so we have two of us looking blankly at one another for most of the evening

FoxesAtDawn · 03/09/2021 17:49

Ugh, I know this too well. I really don’t mind cooking but I hate having to come up with ideas all the time. I know it’s time to meal plan now though as DS is starting school so no more having him fed at nursery and just having to worry about me and DP.

It’s one of the reasons I like things like hello fresh as it takes the planning and shopping out it.

Doomscrolling · 03/09/2021 17:52

It’s bloody relentless. To make it worse, we are a family of 5 with very conflicting tastes.

3 of us love spicy food, 2 of us won’t touch spice. (A different) 3 of us like pasta, (a different) 3 like rice. 2 of us like potatoes, 2 of us hate potatoes. 3 eat meat. 2 eat fish. Each dinner is a tedious juggling variations on a theme to feed everyone. I swear takeaway pizza is the only meal everyone likes.

FlyingScott · 03/09/2021 17:55

That is a pain. I honestly can’t understand how it’s possible to dislike foods as innocuous as pasta, potatoes and rice

Pollypudding · 03/09/2021 18:05

@Twotinydictators

You definitely need to meal plan so you only have to think about it once! You don't always have to assign each meal to a day either, just choose 7 meals for the week and eat them when you fancy.

I'd also draw up a list of kids meals that can some from the cupboard and freezer and keep those ingredients in stock. Like, pasta with tomato sauce and a portion of frozen veg, so you always have something simple to hand.

We've just started using Gousto and it's been a revelation! Such tasty meals, no waste and I only have to think about another 3 meals for the week. We've enjoyed the recipes so much that we've recreated some on the nights we don't have a Gousto delivery available! It is more expensive but then we've not had a single takeaway since.

Yep-I second Gousto just to get a rest from the relentless mental load of meal planning! I am actually enjoying cooking again.

Puffinhead · 03/09/2021 18:10

I hate it with a passion too.

I’ve delegated weekend meal planning and cooking to DH ( I generally do the rest). He still asks what to cook but I refuse to get drawn into it. I do the food shopping and I’m happy to buy him what he needs but I’m not making the decision.

Pissinthepottyplease · 03/09/2021 18:28

I was advised on here or create a 4 week rotating menu. I started by writing 4 rice dishes, 4 pasta dishes etc and then spread them throughout the week. I don’t always stick to it but it makes weekly shopping much easier.

ohthatbloodycat · 03/09/2021 19:00

Oh, I hear you. Parenthood would be so much more bearable- enjoyable if we didn't have to feed them!