A New Answer to an Old Question
Sometimes a schedule lets you down.
Especially, in my opinion, a meal schedule.
Actually, I guess the schedule has not really let me down.
But an empty pantry often has.
Our breakfast schedule is really not the problem.
But dinner?
That guy’s a real pain in the rear sometimes.
And it is that pain-in-the-rear-daily-question of “what’s for dinner?” that brings me to my point.
Ever so slowly.
I read a post by my friend where she discussed feeding her children cereal for dinner.
We do that sometimes.
Eat cereal for dinner.
As long as the milk is cold, you know.
And I remember the Wickstrum family would have nights where every family member would fend for themselves – I think they called it Root Hog or Die.
But our family consists primarily of children who are just a little too young to completely be allowed to fend for themselves.
So on nights when I am tired or running late or the wind is blowing we have created our own form of fending for yourself.
We call it
Mother May I?
Everyone is allowed to roam the kitchen area, look at the choices and then ask, “Mother, may I eat ______?”
To which I usually answer, “Yes!”
The kids think it’s a game.
I think it’s a miracle.
Mother, may I have a nutella sandwich with a side of pickles?
Mother, may I have plain spaghetti noodles and cherries?
Mother, may I have oatmeal and Gatorade?
Mother, may I eat cheese and crackers and a Hershey kiss?
Yes, you may!
It’s a pretty versatile game
and it makes your kids think you’re awesome
when the truth is
you are either too lazy or too poor to hit the store and make a real meal.
25 Comments
seriousbethy
Finally tried it! I was actually pretty proud of my kiddos. The final buffet ended up being three (that's including my plate) variations of: popcorn, snap pea crisps, cheese, honey granola cookie, dill pickle, apple slices, roast beef slices, edamame and trail mix. I guess though, since these are the things I give them for snacks, they were just having a gigantic snack! They loved it! The nicest part was the no complaining.
tiffany p.
I have to admit that I do not enjoy dinner planning and think of it as a burden. I don't think of it as lazy though, who can come up with a "new" meal that everyone likes and I have all the ingredients for every night, 365 nights of the year, year after year, going on sixteen of them now!!!!!
LaceyKeigley
Indeed – who can?
Or should?
Mommy2EandS
I love this! We have leftover night and call it “buffet night” (which we totally stole from a friend and you can totally steal from us!) but our kids are a little too young to really fend for themselves so we offer them several choices of what’s left in the fridge or the staples of our pantry.
LaceyKeigley
Buffet night is a great name for the game as well.
Helen Rutrough
We had those fend for yourself nights too! My kids especially loved it and Leigh Ann just mentioned them the other day. Makes great memories without a lot of effort!
LaceyKeigley
That's neat.
Still cannot believe you are a grandmother- twice!!
How I wish my mom could know that and share all that with you guys!
Sarah D.
i suppose mother may i might be a bit kinder and caring then root hog or die. none the less, my children will def be little root hoggers.
LaceyKeigley
As your children should be.
Allie P
This is just brilliant. Probably the best idea since Starbucks!!
I can't wait to try it. And nutella will most definitely be requested.
LaceyKeigley
I guess I probably do not really believe you here Allie.
But maybe to your kids it will be cooler than Starbucks.
Unless they have been allowed to try a strawberries and cream drink.
fraukuech
This is a great idea! Storing this away in my to-do-when-i-have-kids list. I let Davis pick his own lunch everyday. Chicken nuggets, always.
LaceyKeigley
Yeah, you can switch it up to Tiffany, May I?
Lauren
LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Def going to try it!
LaceyKeigley
Great!
Let me know how it goes.
@mommymcg
You. Are. Brilliant. We will be utilizing this new trick in our bag very soon, I am sure! Thank you!
LaceyKeigley
Brilliant\’s pretty bold, Julie.
But, hey – I\’ll take it.
Gretchen
AWESOME……..I will have to try it! 🙂
LaceyKeigley
I bet your boys won\’t be able to pick Mac & Cheese! 🙂
Maggie
Root, Hog or Die… I always loves those nights!
LaceyKeigley
Oh man.
All these years Maggie.
All these years.
A comma changes everything.
I always wondered what in the world a \”root hog\” was and what it had to do with eating.
If I gave myself over to it, I would be lying on the ground in fits of laughter.
shelley
Love this!! It's called "Make Your Own" night. And for those who can't handle that themselves yet, it's "Mom Makes Your Own."
LaceyKeigley
I didn\’t think I was the first one with this idea. 🙂
seriousbethy
"it makes your kids think you're awesome when the truth is you are either too lazy or too poor to hit the store and make a real meal." I LOVE THIS. I love anything that makes my kids think I'm awesome. We are doing this tonight. Is there a rule that there has to be one healthy element? I'm afraid Liam's would be, "mother may I have a cookie and a cookie and a cookie?" Do you hide certain food items before you make the announcement? I'm so interested to see how this goes. Will report back their choices tomorrow.
LaceyKeigley
Can\’t wait to hear what your kids choose.
Sometimes I do put out ground rules – like the basic \”one fruit or vegetable required\”.
Sometimes I just cross my fingers and hope for the best.
And- there are times – that I actually answer \”no\” to the request. They seldom seem deterred and just keep on asking anyway!