Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 08:04     Subject: College kids eating home or not
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:"Hey, Mom, I won't be home for dinner tonight. I'm going out with Ken and Barbie."
"Gotcha, have a good time. But from now on could you let me know by noon what you're doing for dinner that day? I don't mind cooking for both of us, but if it's just me, I might not bother."


But they don't know if they will be home until 6pm at night.


Yeah, my kids' plans change constantly. What's true at 5 is not true at 6. They are also constantly in and out.


If they can function in college, they can learn to plan their social lives six hours in advance during breaks (if you want them to -- if you don't care, great. But it’s bugging OP)
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2026 14:10     Subject: College kids eating home or not
Assume she will be out or make her own dinner, and only plan to make dinner to include her if she specifically asks for it. Let her know this is how it will be.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2026 14:08     Subject: College kids eating home or not
I make enough for all of us (including the college kids).
I don’t make more until it gets eaten - no issues with leftovers for few days - if they decide to go out instead. Everyone happy.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 21:45     Subject: College kids eating home or not
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is driving me crazy, like I get zero notice and people are eating here, or not even though I said to tell me. Does anyone else have that issue? I am so over cooking and would not normally have dinner.


Then don't cook. They are adults not babies they can make their own dinners and go grocery shopping too!


This.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:06     Subject: College kids eating home or not
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:"Hey, Mom, I won't be home for dinner tonight. I'm going out with Ken and Barbie."
"Gotcha, have a good time. But from now on could you let me know by noon what you're doing for dinner that day? I don't mind cooking for both of us, but if it's just me, I might not bother."


But they don't know if they will be home until 6pm at night.


Yeah, my kids' plans change constantly. What's true at 5 is not true at 6. They are also constantly in and out.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 08:41     Subject: College kids eating home or not
Anonymous wrote:"Hey, Mom, I won't be home for dinner tonight. I'm going out with Ken and Barbie."
"Gotcha, have a good time. But from now on could you let me know by noon what you're doing for dinner that day? I don't mind cooking for both of us, but if it's just me, I might not bother."


But they don't know if they will be home until 6pm at night.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 08:38     Subject: Re:College kids eating home or not
Anonymous wrote:I have the same issue. A variant is when my DS has good intentions and says he will eat dinner at home, but then eats lunch at 3 or 4 and isn't hungry at 6 or 7.

I have been meaning to post for some ideas of things i can prepare/cook and can sit in refrigerator for my kids to heat and eat when they want. Something more than just fast food type basics like burritos. I think I will do post something today.


Yes, especially if they wake up at 11am! Then they have a late lunch. Their dinner time is my bedtime 😊.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 00:54     Subject: College kids eating home or not
Anonymous wrote:DD is still home on break. I make enough for her and if she isn't home it becomes lunch for the next day


Elegant solution for a simple non-problem. I like it!
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2026 21:17     Subject: College kids eating home or not
I have a college grad who lives with us and a college senior. I also have a HS senior. I’ve learned to text them before I begin cooking so at least I know if they will be home. Even so, since I shop for multiple meals at once, I would often get stuck with ingredients and nobody but DH and I here for dinner. My new approach is just to shop for 2 days at a time so I don’t waste food.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2026 16:46     Subject: College kids eating home or not
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:"Hey, Mom, I won't be home for dinner tonight. I'm going out with Ken and Barbie."
"Gotcha, have a good time. But from now on could you let me know by noon what you're doing for dinner that day? I don't mind cooking for both of us, but if it's just me, I might not bother."


Noon? Hahahahahahaha. I am lucky if I get notice at 5 pm. But I hear you.


If you don’t get notice by the time you tell them, then there’s no notice. They can find something to eat on their own.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2026 16:42     Subject: College kids eating home or not
Anonymous wrote:"Hey, Mom, I won't be home for dinner tonight. I'm going out with Ken and Barbie."
"Gotcha, have a good time. But from now on could you let me know by noon what you're doing for dinner that day? I don't mind cooking for both of us, but if it's just me, I might not bother."


Noon? Hahahahahahaha. I am lucky if I get notice at 5 pm. But I hear you.