If you’ve ever heard the question “What’s for dinner?” and instantly felt your soul leave your body… you’re not alone.
Nothing chaps my cheeks more than those three words. And yes, you can ask why. The short answer? I have two incredibly picky eaters, I work from home, and most weeks feel like a never-ending cooking loop with a splash of guilt and a sprinkle of “what even is a new recipe?”
Why Dinner Feels So Overwhelming
I work from home. You’d think that would make dinner easier, right? But commuting from the dining room doesn’t magically grant you extra hours, and it definitely doesn’t stop the mental load of trying to feed people who don’t like anything new. Some weeks, I kill it with a solid meal plan that covers everyone. Other weeks, the plan goes off the rails—or worse, there’s no plan at all. That’s when the stress sets in.
Add to that the fact that my family eats the same meals over and over… and over again. It’s efficient, but it’s boring. For me, at least. The kids don’t seem to notice—or care.
My New (Possibly Brilliant?) Dinner Plan
In a moment of desperation, I had a new idea: Eat the same meals every week. Hear me out.
Here’s the working plan:
• Sunday: Whole chicken, big batch of rice, and steamed broccoli
• Monday: Leftovers + a pot of black beans
• Tuesday: Salmon and salad (Camille will eat beans and rice)
• Wednesday: Sandwich night (lunch meat or PB&J for the picky eaters…or cereal)
• Thursday: Breakfast for dinner (waffles, eggs, or oatmeal)
• Friday: Tuna flips and fries (Camille = cold tuna, boys = nuggets)
• Saturday: Pizza night (DIY or store-bought)
Will they get sick of it? Will I stick to it? Who knows. But it gives me a predictable routine, helps me batch cook ahead of time, and might lower our grocery bill with bulk buying.
My Prep & Batch Cooking Game Plan
To make things easier:
• Black beans in the Instant Pot (once I finally hit “order”)
• Freeze homemade waffles for Thursday night or quick breakfasts
• Batch pizza dough and freeze it for Saturday night fun (video of the process)
I’m also thinking of expanding this strategy to breakfasts and lunches, especially with summer break around the corner. The fewer decisions I have to make each day, the better.
Let’s Talk About It
So tell me—do you plan your meals in advance? What works for your family? Do you plan all three meals (and snacks), or do you wing it? Were you always a planner, or does the “what’s for dinner?” question chap your cheeks too?
Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your ideas (and maybe steal your dinner rotation).
