Making a Menu with the Kids
March 3, 2007 by Karen Weideman
Filed under blogs, food, shopping
Kerri from Play Library (another b5 Media blog) was getting tired of the whining and complaining at dinner each night. You know what I mean. The “I don’t like that” and “Why are we having chicken again?” comments.
Kerri figured out a way to help solve the complaints. She began letting the kids help with the menu making. Kerri and her kids sat down to make out the dinner menu for March. Of course, if it were up to the kids, they would have macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets every night so she had to help them out a little.
Kerri helped the kids make a list of their favorite fruits and vegetables. They used their list to make a dinner menu. The menu helps their family know what’s for dinner each night, keeps the complaining down to a minimum, and is also a thrifty way to plan.
Making a menu in advance helps you to make your grocery list. With a grocery list, you will probably spend less money at the grocery store. A menu also lets you know what you will have each night which will avoid costly last minute trips to the store.
For more information on saving money at the grocery store, see my post 50 Ways to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill.
Thanks for the mention.
I have been using a menu plan for a while. It makes life so much easier and the kids never ask what’s for dinner – they just look on the fridge for the list.
My favorite way to do it is to make a grid with each day of the week across the top and weeks 1-4 down the side. Each day of the week is assigned a theme. For example, Monday is pasta night. I take a poll from the family and get 4 favorite pasta dish requests. I assign one per week. Tuesdays are usually eat out – due to activities. Wednesdays are quick meals, Thursdays are usually for slow cooker meals, Fridays and Saturdays are either pizza or a favorite request. Sundays are typically grill night.
By the time the month is over, every one is ready to repeat a favorite or add something new to the list.
Char, what a great idea!
That is a good idea. My hubby doesn’t do pasta, so I’d probably have to make that night Mexican or Chinese dishes.