Episode 150 4 Tips to Feed Your Family in Tough Seasons of Life

Posted September 14, 2021

If you have ever had a season of life where fixing dinner seems overwhelming or all the little burdens are just too much then you are in the right place.

We all have times when life gets tough. Sometimes these are short seasons and sometimes they are longer, but these tips will help you when life gets a little overwhelming.

Tip 1- Do not expect too much of yourself.

You are not wonder woman and dinners do not have to be perfect.
It doesn’t have to be 100% homemade or nutritionally perfect.
Do you have “ideals” about what dinner should look like that need to be loosened during this season?
You are only one person and feeding your family can be an emotional burden.
When your bandwidth is narrow keep your expectations realistic.
Feeding your family is enough and chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, or cereal count as dinner.

Tip 2- Do not expect too much of others.

This is tricky because you need others to help you.
Make sure your expectations of others is clear. If you want your husband to empty the dishwasher ask him rather than just expect him to do it.
If you want your kids to pitch in and help, give them clear tasks.
If you have teens, set alarms on their phones to remind them to do the tasks you requested them to perform.

Tip 3- Look for ways to simplify.

Where can you make life a little easier in this season?
What convenience foods can you buy?
Can you go to fewer grocery stores or use grocery pickup or delivery?
If you know you are going to face a busy season, do a deep dive shopping trip ahead of the season.
Include extra “backup meals” in your grocery list.

Tip 4- Give yourself more cooking breaks.

Episode 133 is all about how to get cooking breaks.
Buy your family’s favorite frozen entrees. (Think lasagna or pot stickers.)
Plan for takeout. It is so much better if you put it on your plan and look forward to the break.
Use the grocery store for takeout. It is less expensive and super easy.

Links from this episode:

Episode 75 The Emotional Burden of Feeding Your Family

Episode 99 Deep Dive Grocery Shopping

Episode 4 “A” Always Have a Backup

Episode 133 4 Ways to Get a Break in the Kitchen

Egg Roll Meatballs

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Marie Fiebach is a married mother of four active kids. She helps busy families plan and execute weeknight dinner so they can recapture a little calm in the crazy. You can see her every week on KAKE TV’s Good Morning Kakeland or listen to the Feed Your Family Tonight Podcast.

For a transcript click here.

busy, Dinner, easy, Emotional burden, Podcast, tough seasons

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