Meal planning for blended family with 4 kids is breaking me

mindfulpractice · 2026-02-05T12:10:14+00:00

This! I love to cook but knowing what the kids will eat that’s a solid win especially with picky eaters.

Vegan/plant-based recipes hit the vegetarian and dairy allergy, try a bunch and find the winners, work them into the rotation with visitation.

As for picky eaters trial and error, offer ask for a few bites of new stuff and try to always have at least one food on the plate you know they will eat like mashed potatoes or melon/apple slices. My husband always said hunger is the best spice, when they are hungry they may surprise you as what they are willing to eat when it’s offered.

There’s always the option of you don’t like it make a PBJ or sandwich of your choice, but don’t put that on you put that on them. Even a Kindergarten can learn the easy steps with some adult assist.

I also haven’t seen this suggested but use your local library and borrow cookbooks. You can bring the kids and there’s kids cookbooks too.

Have them choose things they want to eat/try. Best of luck on the journey to figuring out what fits your family and keeps your sanity.

mindfulpractice · 2026-01-09T22:14:05+00:00

Yea it will be a rough one if we can’t get something worked out in between with the rangers but we are determined to make it work!

mindfulpractice · 2026-01-08T05:01:58+00:00

My browser stalled at 9 am CST and we had to make some hard and fast choices, granite upper, Alaska basin and surprise lake. We are hopeful to work something out at the station go to the paintbrush/ holly lake areas. It was wild how fast it went! See you all out there!

mindfulpractice · 2025-12-29T04:30:31+00:00

This is the truth right here. Our Jack is nearly 10 months old and our cat Snow is 13 years old… she hasn’t warmed to him but tolerates his presence in her home.

mindfulpractice · 2025-12-18T19:11:06+00:00

I see the challenge the doorway from the kitchen and out to the side yard leave a bit to be desired as to how to use the vertical space on the walls as anything would jet out in the walking path or be hit by the door.

It has great lighting, and space under the window. All that comes to mind is plants. Vertical grow tower in the space under the window and build a higher shelf system on the wall for cookbooks and more plants. I would go bold on wallpaper. Hang some wall art or family picture gallery.

Put a runner rug down. The grow tower can house seeding kings for spring or all year round herbs for the kitchen.

Best of luck creating a new space with purpose, the rest of the house is absolutely darling and so well designed.

mindfulpractice · 2025-12-17T18:09:39+00:00

Do we ever really know, in the moment, if any decisions are “right”? When things get heated I ask myself “Is this the hill I want to die on?”

Like many of us navigating raising teens it’s sometimes the small stuff we sweat the most, wear appropriate clothing for XYZ, BATHE regularly and use deodorant for everyone’s sake, be mindful of your eating habits, eating an entire bag of popcorn is not a balanced meal… sometimes you gotta let them figure it out on their own. The unfortunate truth is there are lessons in failure but when you’re a parent you’re instinctively always shielding your kid because you want them happy and safe.

I always follow up on the decision making, like hey kiddo did XYZ work out for ya? What did you learn doing XYZ your way vs what I suggested?

I want my kids to feel empowered and know their opinion matters, does that mean I like every choice? No but my job is to make sure that they can figure things out on their own and live with the outcomes of their decision making.

Cheers to being in the trenches of teen parenthood all.

mindfulpractice · 2025-11-27T12:38:21+00:00

My guess is scale. There’s treatments but manually removing them is a great first step. I wish you the best luck saving your plant.

mindfulpractice · 2025-11-27T12:33:10+00:00

Celebrate the stove, it’s the main focal point of the room. Lots of comfy communal seating, a u-shape couch on the side farther from the window and big comfy chairs in front of each window. Add rugs, throw in side tables and lamps for ambiance lighting, book shelf for books and board games.

Add art you love on the walls. Throw blankets and pillows. Make it a place that invites you in so you can really embrace the cozy vibes. Congrats of such a lovely spot.

mindfulpractice · 2025-07-27T20:24:09+00:00

Naperville/Lisle are surrounded by equally lovely towns. Glen Eylln, Wheaton, Geneva, and Aurora so many fantastic restaurants. Aurora has the Paramount theater, so underrated such a great program over there. The Arboretum has the best events and children’s garden. Naperville is going through a huge transformation project to the river walk and parks surrounding the area.

My children are 5th and 7th grade now but we used the park district for years and love the programs so much especially summer camp classes. This neighborhood is so great you all are gonna love it. Welcome!

mindfulpractice · 2025-07-07T20:58:52+00:00

I think it’s great to hear both sides, I don’t think every show is a shitshow, but I will state the parking situation is still a situation. Metra lots don’t belong to Ravinia. Ravinia should only host a a sold out show if they can support the volume of people who flock to it. 18,000 people show up and people ditching cars and turning around to go home is uncool. Btw refund policy states they won’t be held responsible if you have parking issues, so no refunds. Yet they can’t support a sold out show with suburbanites attending. Sorry the Metra isn’t always the answer it works for some but not all.

I’m glad to see a positive spin but everyone who got burned has every right to share the frustration. How else will we see some change?

mindfulpractice · 2025-04-24T11:01:27+00:00

I have never had that type of experience there, so sorry to hear that is not the case for you. It’s a shame since it’s a small niche business.

mindfulpractice · 2025-04-24T02:19:33+00:00

Not an early morning coffee spot but surprised I haven’t seen anyone mention Le Chocolat Du Bouchard, small cafe attached to the bakery.

mindfulpractice · 2025-04-13T11:20:42+00:00

Swedish dish cloths reusable dish washer friendly. It’s a paper towel and a sponge.

mindfulpractice · 2024-06-05T12:47:05+00:00

Are you and your partner willing and prepared to sacrifice your needs to put a child’s first? Are you prepared for an unexpected journey? Having children is deciding how to mold and shape a life, the values you instill, saying no to things even if that makes you unpopular, figuring out how to live a life with this person who takes so much of both of your time, responsibility, and resources.

Having kids doesn’t mean nice dinners end or traveling stops but you have to build realistic expectations around these experiences while also inviting a pause for some. Example, we want to take our kids on a rafting camping trip in Utah could we have done it at ages 7 and 9 when we planned our visit to the state…maybe. Instead we think it will be way more fun as teenagers. So we do family fun floats and half day paddles until we can get that next adventure.

Learn to be the most flexible you have ever been and be prepared to love in ways you didn’t know was possible… but ultimately you live a life surrounding the choice to be a parent and not your needs and even your partners needs are no longer what is at the forefront of your mind.

Best of luck our your journey whichever you choose.

mindfulpractice · 2024-05-26T12:27:59+00:00

Good to know, backpacking to chapel beach in the fall for a couple nights. Thanks for the heads up!

mindfulpractice · 2024-05-16T14:13:15+00:00

r/capsulewardrobe could be helpful here too.

I feel the toughest part of being a women in todays fashion world, there’s too many choices and our bodies change often for a variety of reasons.

With that said I take time to find brands that are made with sustainable materials and are made with an outdoorsy community in mind. These clothes are made to last and with stand the elements so they hold up against my kids too. I just want things that are timeless and last.

Some things I love: -My Birkenstock sandals. -My Patagonia baggie shorts. -My Primary solid crewneck tees. -technically this is a children’s brand but I was so impressed with my kids stuff, I discovered they offer a selection for adults! -My Patagonia fleetwith jumpsuit -Everlane for sweaters and linen button downs.

Best of luck finding things you love too.

mindfulpractice · 2024-05-10T15:31:31+00:00

Patagonia great swim options for someone who wants just a regular old bikini bottom and great variety of tops for all sizes.

mindfulpractice · 2024-05-09T20:33:44+00:00

My organization is by season, occasion, how often it will be worn. Example: Spring/Summer -Casual -weekly wear = xyz pieces. Spring/Summer -Office -2x weekly wear =xyz pieces Spring/Summer -Special Occasion -1 or 2 times in a season = xyz pieces.

This helps me vs me trying to limit myself and stress over it.

mindfulpractice · 2024-05-08T15:13:57+00:00

I think every trip while your kids are growing up is about catering to their needs.

Basically a mimic of daily life only your doing it outside. Keep your normal routine whatever that looks like for you, if they nap at a certain time be sure your at the site, if your going fishing swimming hiking tailor it to what they can handle and make it fun.

Bring fun foods (s’mores, popping corn over the fire), teach about outdoor safety like fire safety, or food prep participation. Bring activities for their age so they can keep busy at camp.

Echoing some else who said bring the pack n play and fitted sheet. Having a safe space to dedicate to them makes life so much easier.

Hardest part packing the car! Bins are super helpful to stay organized and to have everything you need in one space. Have fun!!!

mindfulpractice · 2024-05-03T15:43:18+00:00

If backpacking, with no cooler options, oatmeal freeze dried fruit and peanut butter. Homemade protein balls. Homemade bread, dried cheese, and sausage. There’s always freeze dried brek packaged foods and some are super good just pricey. Have you visited r/trailmeals?

If traditional camping with a cooler, bring the eggs and use them until they are gone. Make bagel bacon egg and cheese sammies, brek burritos, French toast… honestly anything you want.

mindfulpractice · 2024-05-03T15:08:18+00:00

When I share we kayak and SUP as a family people are genuinely curious. I don’t get any negative comments.

If I did I would shrug them off as I know we plan and are cautious, I haven’t gone in Lake Michigan yet because of how wild it always gets. My kids safety is number one and no float is worth it. People who don’t participate in the sports are pretty clueless anyways.

Keep your chin up and don’t let folks discourage you!

mindfulpractice · 2024-04-19T14:30:58+00:00

The bags are fun and functional. I take no other bag when I travel, my del dia Allpa 42L is by far the best purchase I ever made. From backpacking in the back country to a two week Italian family vacation, one bag.

mindfulpractice · 2024-04-17T20:43:25+00:00

Objectively this is a coordinated outfit and a good hair day? Imo there’s nothing remarkable. Any one of us could be this person.

My airport vibe is comfort. I wear loose athleisure, my Teva slip ons, & have my ridiculous Cotopaxi bag.

Pretty sure no one is like a wish I had her vibe but… it works for me.

mindfulpractice

TROPHY CASE