Kids and dinner:

It's 7pm, the kids are hungry and you are use to just going into the kitchen and popping in a frozen pizza or taking a handful of chips while you are watching a game or something and yet now you have a little one or multiple little ones to take care of and you are stuck... fear not, there is a light at the end of this tunnel. And no, it is not in the form of someone that knows how to cook, it's the fact that I am about to help you in this race for the dad of the year award. (no there is not one outside of a macaroni picture that is hanging on the fridge, believe me I have looked.) whether you are a seasoned cook or don't know how to boil water to save your life, these next options might just save the day for you!

Think of something easy!

Unless you are a seasoned chef and can make a gourmet meal with just what is not rotten in the fridge, chances are you are freaking out at this point trying to not just pick up the phone and order something. Don't worry, unless you have a kid that is picky about everything that is put in front of them, you can make something that is easy for you to master and that will fill the bellies of the beasts we call our offsprings! If you cannot cook anything, as in no matter how closely you follow the directions, you always end up with something that you are trying to fend off in the end, then I suggest you pick up the phone and order something. But if you are trying to be better at cooking for your kids then I suggest starting off with something that you will find easy enough to make. Try and stay away from anything that requires a two day cook period!

Start off light.

Most kids are not looking for a four course meal or anything fancy you see on one of those cooking shows on TV. But rather they just want food! Maybe one day you can just start with burgers and fries, or something that can be put into the oven (not the pizza that is good enough for you...) Start off with cooking some fries in the oven and maybe add things on like chili and cheese. That has always been a favorite of my kids. For some reason or another, kids always like messy food. Or at least my 6 year old does..

If you want to try something new...Go for it!

If you want to venture off and try to start learning how to cook, Do IT!! There is nothing wrong with trying to better yourself for your kids, trust me they deserve it! But don't bite off more than you can chew. If you are new to cooking then start with the basics and work your way up. No one expects you to know what temperature to cook a perfect lobster tail or the best pasta dish in the world if you don't even know how to make mac and cheese! Do what you are comfortable with and go from there. If you have to start off with hot dogs and mac and cheese, go for it. Just try not to make it an every night thing.

Speaking of variety,

That last sentence brought up a good point, do not make the same thing multiple times in the same week. I can understand that you might not know what else to make but try and do a little research. Figure out some meal plans because when the kids have the same thing over and over again, they get bored with it and then they turn into the little monsters that they are and start complaining! No one wants that! Spice things up a little. If mac and cheese is the only thing that you are good at, try and add things into it. Instead of having hot dogs on the side, add the hot dogs into the mac and cheese, try using different noodles, add veggies and stuff into it and then tell the kids that they are things that will make them big and strong (for those that wont eat veggies!). Point is, mix it up a bit and you will see that your cooking habits are getting better!

Lastly, try to make things when the kids are not there!

If you don't have your kids full time and you are without them for a certain period, use it! Try and hone your cooking skills when they are not there. Surprise them when they come back with how much you have learned. If you do have them full time, find another way of experimenting with them not there or even use them as your guinea pigs. You will find that kids are the best critics and will tell you when something is good or if you should just stick to ordering out!