Well, my wife left mid-day today for the 6 hour drive to visit her mom and step-father. You may recall the earlier post right before Christmas when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with leukemia. Well her first found of chemo has come and gone...and she is getting her strength back. Her white blood cell count is rising. And there is hope of her coming home soon! She'll go back for at least three more rounds of chemo, but this was the most intense.
So now that visitation restrictions are removed and a trip home seems near, my wife drove there to lend a helping hand - buy some groceries, clean the house, run errands for them, offer some emotional support to my father-in-law who is pretty exhausted, and to provide some all around help and support. She might be gone a week. Might be a couple of weeks. Who can say?
And that leaves me and the three kids to manage without her. And they seem fine with that. Oh, they did have a few questions. Son19 asked this afternoon "With mom gone, what we do about eating?" Daughter13 reminisced about my failed attempt at mashed potatoes several years back and asked that I please not try that while mom was gone. But Son16 supported me! He said my cooking was...well...his word was 'creative'. That's a compliment, right?
Pay the children no attention. I'm not helpless. I cooked dinner tonight and no one died. So I don't know what all the worry is about.
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24 comments:
Oh my kids swore for years that all I could cook was hambuger and pork and beans - I recieved cook books every Fathers Day for a long time - oh and my ex wife - well she just gave up and taught the kids to cook.
I feel ya EM!
Having a family member being ill is very hard. My father faught a battle with lymphoma. I went through the chemo. I feel for ya.
This sounds very familiar. One difference I'll note - my teenagers cooked for me while my wife was visiting her folks - and I'm still here. They like it when I cook for them, but we all have to take our turn. Very sorry to hear about your family's trouble.
What did you make?
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Good luck cooking more meals! God knows I'm not good at that at all. ;)
Thanks for your support!
Doug - my kids cooking is an option. They did mention being in charge of a meal. I think Frosted Flakes were a part of the deal.
Teena - heated some leftover pot roast and gravy, stretched the gravy with some white sauce, added some pasta and fruit salad as side dishes. Yum!
Pork and beans...Baron, I can do that!
I know exactly how your kids feel. When my mom leaves, we're usually dependent on ordering pizza or picking up fast food every night.
My hubby does most of the cooking in my house. He had an operation in April and I had to cook. Now I'm not a bad cook and I can cook, but my kids kept saying, we are going to starve. LOL
On a serious note, I left to be with my Mother for a month at a hospital 40 min away. My hubby had to take care of the home front. I will keep your mother-in-law in my prayers.
Well, "they" do say "Practice makes perfect" And "What doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger".... So, your kids have a fair shot, I suppose. If nothing else, do what my hubby did at first (when I got a job with night hours & he had to start making meals) GRILL EVERYTHING or serve Ramen. ;)
Oh, and having read your response just now to Teena, Dude!!!! You CAN cook!!!! You even had fruit!!!!! That's a definite star on your report card! ;)
If everybody survives one of my meals, I generally consider it a success.
My thoughts and prayers are with your wife's family. And I wish you luck for the next week or two.
My kids do just fine with their dad when I am away,. He orders something just about every night! Problemsolved! *eyeroll* lol
I'm so glad your mother-in-law is doing well.
I have faith in you!
A song comes to mind after readin' this.
Mr. Mom by: Lonestar
If you don't know it, look it up ;)
I'll cast a 2nd vote for the Grill. Can't go wrong...unless you burn it and turn it into something you can build a house out of.
Wow, foodwise, no one would ever notice if I left. Mr. Jazz is the cook at our house - perhaps becauase he doesn't really want to eat my efforts. Besides he's a great cook so why should I bother
Sounds like a great time to give each kid a turn cooking! I'll bet there are some cookbooks in your house... Let them choose what to make, you agree to get the ingredients.
My best wishes for you and your family.
When I was in the hospital, all the neighbors brought food. When they ran out of neighbor-made food, my husband made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. My oldest (she's turning 9 now) got sick of that, so she made herself grilled cheese, and a few other things. I bet if your kids don't like what you make, they will think of something on their own.
Thanks for the comment on my new hairstyle! Creative cooking is the best! haha glad to hear that the mother-in-law is improving.
I would say that all your children are old enough to share home duties with you. Some 19 year-olds have already a family of their own.
I hope your mother-in-law continues to get better. No advice on the cooking front. Hubby does all the cooking in our house. As far as I'm concerned, a bowl of corn flakes is a perfectly acceptable dinner.
Thanks Kati, I knew fruit was one of those food groups...good for some brownie points.
Mmmm....brownies.
Anyway...for those of you who suggested the kids help while my wife is away, never fear! They won't be doing all the cooking, but they will help if they want to eat! And they'll be picking up the slack all around the house. I feel the power of being in command!!!
i would love to hear the mashed potato story.
please update us about your mother-in-law. i hope she feels better soon.
Sorry about your MIL's illness. Hope she's in the clear soon.
I notice you didn't elaborate on just what you served the family?
Dude, one word...
Ramen.
Nuff said?
Sometimes the needs of a pregnant wife outweigh the needs of the many...
Your kids should be old enough to cook? I do at home. Sorry to hear your mother-in-law is ill.
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