Cook More Meals at Home Where You Can Control Ingredients

Ever tried to cook a wholesome meal with a toddler clinging to your leg and a baby wailing because you dared to put them down for three seconds? Welcome to the culinary Olympics: Parenting Edition. This is for anyone who’s ever thought, 'How many chicken nuggets is too many?' and wants to sneak a vegetable or two into the chaos (bonus points if you don’t set off the smoke alarm).

Home-cooked meals give kids better nutrition, and the act of cooking together can boost family bonds and even language development (yes, even if most of what’s said is 'Don’t lick that!'). For parents, it can reduce stress about food allergies or mystery ingredients, and the routine of shared meals strengthens emotional security for everyone. Plus, your brain gets a dopamine hit every time you actually pull it off.

How to do it

  1. Plan super-basic meals. Focus on simple options like sheet-pan dinners rather than aiming for gourmet, restaurant-level dishes.

  2. Involve your kids by giving them small, safe tasks. Let them help with stirring, sprinkling ingredients, or taste-testing. This makes cooking more fun and manageable.

  3. Batch prep on weekends if possible. If that's too much, even chopping an onion in advance can make you feel accomplished and save time later.

  4. Keep emergency supplies handy. Stock your freezer with frozen vegetables and pre-cooked grains for those days when cooking just isn’t going to happen.

  5. Lower your standards. If dinner isn’t burned beyond recognition, consider it a success.

Key Tips:

  • Simplicity is your friend—don’t overcomplicate meals.
  • Small jobs help kids feel included and lighten your load.
  • Prepping even one ingredient ahead can make a big difference.
  • Emergency staples are lifesavers on tough days.
  • Celebrate the wins, even the small ones.

When you open the fridge at 5 p.m. and realize takeout sounds amazing (again).

Pull out one ingredient you know how to cook (like eggs or pasta).
Do a dramatic chef’s kiss and say, 'Look out, Food Network!'
Stock your pantry with go-to staples like pasta, canned beans, and frozen veggies.

When your kid asks, 'What’s for dinner?' for the third time today.

Glance at your list and pick one meal to make tonight.
Give yourself a fist bump or text a friend, 'I’m winning dinner tonight!'
Write a super-short list of 3 easy meals your family will actually eat and tape it inside a cupboard.

When your child wanders into the kitchen while you’re prepping food.

Invite them to wash a veggie or stir something (even if it’s just pretend).
Snap a silly selfie together as ‘chefs’ and laugh at the mess.
Set up a kid-safe stool or chair in the kitchen so your little helper can reach the counter.