I care so much about making my kids nutritious, wholesome meals, but my job and my lack of ability to be a supermom always get in the way. My kids are pretty much getting raised on Costco cauliflower pizzas and soups and chicken bites. I still try to make it healthier with small additions, but their main meal is just something I buy from Costco. I compare this to what my mom did for me, and it's so lazy. Other moms who do this, do you feel guilty about it?

Sometimes, I can be the supermom and make the nutritious meals and do allllll the things. Other times, most of the time, life is just too busy and we have “what-not night”. If I know we are going to have several what-not nights in a week, I have soup, stuff for grilled cheese, frozen pizza- easy stuff and therefore, not the healthiest. But everybody can have what they’re in the mood for when they have time to eat. These are not my favorite meals in terms of nutrition but ultimately, everybody is fed. So in my book, as long as the kids are getting fed, you’re winning and there should be no guilt for that.

If your kids are loved and fed, then you are a great mom. I could spend hours making a healthy and nutritious meal for my toddler to spit it out and request chicken nuggets from the freezer. With work as busy as it is, I prioritize spending the limited time we have together - I’d rather remember the games we played and the funny things they said instead of how much spinach they ate

Lots of parents juggle busy jobs and meals that are quick but still try to be a bit nutritious. Costco meals aren’t “lazy,” they’re practical wins for busy days. Adding little healthy touches shows you care, and that truly matters more than perfection. Don’t beat yourself up, doing your best counts big time.

We do the same, and I also feel the same way but honestly there are actually so many great, organic, healthy options at Costco. We should feel no shame, we’re doing the best we can ❤️

We cannot be held to the level of our moms if our situations are completely different. My mom worked at my grade school and was home with me at 3pm every day. We had more time at home and fewer activities. Don't try to compare yourself. I'm a big fan of my crockpot, or anything that goes straight from the freezer to the oven, or anything that cooks (including prep) in under 20 minutes. I am not a gourmet chef, that is just not in my skill set, nor my interest. If the kids are fed and it's not McDonalds every night, you're doing fine.

As long as they’re getting somewhat balanced meals and not eating a ton of sugar, you’re doing fine.

Batch cooking saved me. Twice a week I have ChatGPT come with fun veggie based pasta sauces and soups (things I can easily steam and blend or air fry and blend) and that becomes the foundation of kiddo’s main meals. I portion everything into 4oz cubes and refrigerate some and freeze some. I also do 3-4 days worth of overnight oats at a time. That along with cheese and berries keep my toddler going. I also bake savory muffins and banana bread when I have the patience. We recently got a pizza oven and I have a kitchenaid stand mixer so we’ve been making more fresh pizzas. Do what you can do but in the end the kid will remember a present mom and quality time over someone who is always stressed and stuck in the kitchen. My mom was like that and we always had good food but not enough of her time :-/

What’s wrong with Costco meals? Soups and cauliflower pizza sounds healthy enough to me??

I try to cook about 5 days a week, the rest is either takeout or pre-cooked frozen meals.

I use as many kitchen appliances as I can - instant pot is used daily, electric grill - often, oven, etc. All going at the same time.

For example, something i make often - rice in the instant pot (15mins), chicken on electric grill (15 mins), steamed fresh broccoli or asparagus in the microwave(5 mins), over roasted veggies (30 mins).

In instant pot, I often put ramekins with different veggies, grains and cook them all as separate sides at the same time.

On Saturdays, before taking kids to the park I throw veggies and meat in instant pot to make soup and walk away.

Cooking is an overwhelming chore. And to me, it starts from grocery shopping and organization. I order grocery delivery because it saves time and it's somehow easier for me to plan when I order online and not looking at every single thing in a store.

I don't make meal plans but I do designate a protein type to a dinner on that day - like Monday is chicken, Tuesday is veal, Wednesday is fish, etc. This was I am not limited by a recipe I selected and stuck bc I don't have some ingredients. For the sides I just cook whatever I have in the fridge, often it's repetitive.

I feel this daily! So much that im trying to apply for internal jobs, even take a pay cut. I want to be able to do more and healthier choices. 🙏

I applaud all the great things you're doing for your family!! No guilt!

Absolutely no guilt about using meal shortcuts because it’s overall better for my mental health to be able to put a quick dinner together and spend my time doing other things.