Tips from the Trenches: A Guide to Practical Parenting

My husband has been working nights pretty much continuously for weeks now. (It isn't really just nights either because he often goes in before 7am and comes home after midnight. But far be it for me to complain. He is serving his country and all.)

But, by the time I've crawled bruised and bleeding through the mine field of cooking dinner around Emma's food allergies and Jack's likes and dislikes, I've pretty much given up putting my dietary preferences on the map. So, I put the kids to bed and crack open the faithful box of cereal. Occasionally, I'll treat myself to a carton of sushi that I was able to pick up during my trip to the grocery store, but basically cereal is it.

Cereal seems to be a reasonably well balanced meal. Grains. Milk. (and some fat, if you still allow yourself to drink milk with fat.) But I'm pretty sure I'm not doing myself any favors with this diet. After all, I pretty much start shaking at 10:30 and 4:30 every day as I experience carb-withdrawal and need to recharge.

Because cooking for one is such a pain, I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only parent who has tried to subsist on this Lonely Person's Diet, but I think it's time to take action. I propose that every cooking family in the building makes an extra portion of what they are making once a week and deliver it to a needy neighbor.

For my part, I will happily pay for this kindness. I also promised to clean my plate and always send my compliments to the chef.

If anyone is interested, I eat everything....well, except peanut butter.