I’d make it a fun thing for kids. I’d let each one either choose, plan, and cook dinner while others clean up, or let each choose, plan, then all cook together and clean up together.
Second idea is better.

Anonymous wrote:I always say my favorite part of vacations is not having to cook. Having a family that you cook for is soul crushing and I honestly feel like it causes me anxiety all day figuring out what to cook. I also happen to have a family that doesn’t like having the same dinner two nights in a row so the whole “make enough for 2 meals” doesn’t work for us.

As my kids get older I am very much looking forward to having some of this pressure lifted.

If you are getting anxiety over what to cook, spend a day putting together a 4 or 6 week rotation of menus and then stick with it. There is no reason to have decision fatigue. Plus you can make your meal and freeze the leftovers for a future week, so yes "make enough for 2 meals" works for everyone.

My teen likes to cook so this wouldn't be a problem other than they still don't clean the dishes well. Also second Costco meals like rotisserie chicken, ribs, or the other prepared meals that just need heat up, chicken nuggets in the air fryer, etc. My teen boy likes to grill meat on our Traeger smart grill which is pretty fool proof.

7 day water fast.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this dependent on your husband going out of town?

OP here. Somehow I feel obligated to have family dinner when he’s home. He loves to cook, eat, have dinner together. He loves to cook and will help if he gets home in time, but then there’s dishes and clean up. I’m just tired of it.

This feels like you value eating with him, and not your 13 year old. To me, that's not a message I would want to send. The idea that when one parent goes out of town the other becomes more absent, seems really backwards.

That isn't to say you have to cook a fancy meal like I would. You can put something together quick and easy and serve it on paper plates. But if your 13 year old is used to having family dinner, then it feels like he should still get a family dinner experience, even if it's bagels with cream cheese and some fruit.

When my husband goes out of town the kids and I have the best meals.

I love it!

We eat pancakes for dinner, charcuterie boards with Brie, crackers and fruit, we have bagel and lox night, homemade sushi/kimbap, etc

These are all things my husband would whine about if he was home. It’s annoying but he’s getting less and less likable as he ages. If I’m being honest, I’m completely indifferent on the marriage, but it’s not bad enough to miss out on half my kids’ childhoods.

When I see posts like yours (yet you say there’s nothing wrong in your relationship) it sounds like you’re deep in denial.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this dependent on your husband going out of town?

OP here. Somehow I feel obligated to have family dinner when he’s home. He loves to cook, eat, have dinner together. He loves to cook and will help if he gets home in time, but then there’s dishes and clean up. I’m just tired of it.

You’re being weird.

Just stop doing it. On days that he’s available and willing to cook, he will. It’s really bizarre that you need him to travel to give yourself permission to have preferences.

You exist as a person. You’re not just an extension of your husband’s whims.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are much younger teens and they tend to themselves about 25% of dinners.

She has a 13 year old. How much younger could your teens be and still be teens?

I agree that kids can cook.

Her kids’ average age is 16 1/3. She has two 18 year olds.

Teens should be fending for themselves. I wouldn't make this an only-when Dad's gone thing. Make it a couple times a week, minimum

Also check out home chef: https://www.homechef.com/invite/linan20.

There are options for meal kits, prepared foods, family meals, and more.

I usually stick with the express meal kits.