I’m having a follow up day at school – a day to get some stuff done so it doesn’t languish in their binders and hanging files. We’re finishing up our unit on Day of the Dead, and I have to say, while I LOVE the celebration and all we do to learn about it and celebrate it ourselves, I’m ready to move on.
I’d also like to do a little follow up on yesterday’s post!
First of all thank you to everyone who commented. It was really insightful to learn how other people who are in charge of meal planning and cooking feel about their spouse helping out (or not really helping out). The mental load of “meal planning” is definitely weighing on my husband (he doesn’t plan out the whole week but is always thinking of what he will make and when). I recognize that is a LOT of work, but I hesitate to insert myself into that piece of it because historically we have not been great at sharing mental loads. Any task that requires us to sit down together and plan is usually pushed back and back. I can’t imagine having to do that every week. Having said, I told my husband I’d make tortellini soup next week, to use up the spinach we got in the CSA box. I’m hoping that helps.
Speaking of the CSA box, A few of you mentioned it contributing a significant portion of the weight my husband is shouldering, and I absolutely agree! I think the CSA box is definitely making things harder, but I also don’t think it’s my place to suggest we stop getting it. My husband did mention he might want to order a smaller box (I think we get the medium sized box, but maybe we get the large?) and I enthusiastically agreed that was a good idea. But then he had everything he needed for some cobb salad one day and he was so stoked on that he tabled the decision. (Blerg!) I’m waiting for him to make the decision on his own, but I will definitely NOT be agreeing to shoulder the “use up the CSA box” burden. I for one would prefer not to find kale in pretty much every dish for the next three months.
(I do think that he will be more inclined to let the box go now that he’s going into the office two times a week. That requirement just started and he’s already noticing how much more tired he is after spending the day at the office. My guess is by December he will decide it’s not worth it anymore.)
Not much else to follow up on, and if I think of something later I can always include it in tomorrow’s post! I’m 5/5 on NaPoBloMo! Let’s do this!
When I was in school the Spanish classes always had the best times! Seeing the picture I remember vividly wishing I could have been in Spanish rather than what my parents insisted upon. WHAT A LUCKY CLASS!
Agree he will need to be the one making the decision. Yes, I tried having a box and quit for that pressure reason. I think it is a common reason for leaving. I can totally believe the requirement to be in office a few days a week has a MASSIVE impact. I am hearing the same from my offspring who are finding a not awful commute takes SO MUCH TIME and there are SO MANY INTERRUPTIONS and it is LESS PRODUCTIVE and…… Well. I hope full time always in office becomes less common for those jobs/positions where that is possible. Hope it also leads to greater awareness that those in ‘no choice has to be in work place employment people’ really do need support.
THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL WEEK!
I recently found your blog through SHU and have been enjoying it. Would a menu/meal planning tab on a shared Google calendar be useful? I do all my meal planning there. It is easy to add a meal when it comes to mind and drag to different days when needed. I also like to have meals that everyone likes repeat once a month and if we get burn out just change the frequency or pause them.
That is really thoughtful to let your husband make the decision about the CSA box. While it is his decision, is it possible that he doesn’t know it is his decision? Maybe it would help if you say something like, “It seems like sometimes the CSA box helps with meal prep, but other times it is stressful. I am fine with keeping our current system, moving to a smaller box, or stopping CSA for a bit. Whatever is easiest for you is fine with me.” I’m projecting, but sometimes my husband and I keep doing something we dislike because we think it works for the other one. It helps when I lay out the options that work for me. I really appreciate your writing!