Question:
I am a single parent and am wondering how others dealt with feeding their family

I don't cook alot now and am worried about how I am going to feed my 9 yr old the first few weeks after surgery. She says she will just eat tv dinners. I worry about her getting good meals. I think once I am able to eat reg. food we will be alright but I am worried about the first few weeks.    — Kristi B. (posted on June 26, 2002)

June 25, 2002
Why not make some food ahead of time and freeze it?? That way she can heat it up in the microwave and on days when she doesn't feel like doing that, let her have TV dinners.
   — Patty H.

June 25, 2002
I have four children ages 2-12. I just did a lot of TV Dinners, Mac&Cheese, Pizza, and sandwiches. I am six weeks post op now and able to eat anything just small portions.
   — Linda A.

June 26, 2002
Hi Kristi, I have two kids ages 3 & 4 and am having Lap RNY on 7/16. My plan is to use a cookbook called Once A Month Cooking and Make enought frozen meals to last a month. I have done it before and I love having everything all ready to go. It is such a stress reliever for me! If you use it, it has shopping lists at the beginning of each chapter which make it easy to shop. Their meal sizes are also quite big, so I usually divide each meal into two. That has always been plenty for the three of us. Best of luck with your process!
   — Heather N.

June 26, 2002
hi- i'm not a mom. But what about the George Forman grill? You can cook hamburgers and chicken in there. You just put the meat in and leave it till its done, its really easy and pretty tasty. The small ones are pretty cheap, too ($30-$40?? maybe). That way she is getting some substance, too! Goodluck!
   — Lezlie Y.

June 26, 2002
Hi Kristi... I am 51 and with my husband am raising his 10 yr old granddaughter. I am 11 weeks post op, down 47# and doing great. Before surgery I: Made a big pot of spaghetti sauce and meatballs and froze it in those glad containers, made some into lasagna, had some with just meatballs and a little sauce for meatball sandwiches. I kept things in the house that Katie would eat such as peanut butter, cream cheese, pizza, macaroni & cheese, hot dogs, corn dogs, burgers for the Foreman Grill and soups she likes. This was a good time too to teach her a little about cooking: she knows how to cook hot dogs, nuke pizza & frozen macaroni & cheese, corn dogs, etc. The first week home my meals were light such as broth, jello, sf pudding, etc. but after that I began eating different foods. Katie also was a big helper to me in bringing me meals, sitting with me watching tv or reading, etc. You may want to have someone with you the first week home and that person can help with your child also. But after that you'll find you want to get up move around and cooking light things not a problem. You'll do great and I guarantee you she won't starve...kids have a way of finding food if hungry -- good time too to enlist the help of friends Moms and your friends a little here and there. My best to you.
   — AJC750

June 27, 2002
hiya! i wouldn't worry too much about your daughter eating tv dinners for a few weeks...kids tend to go through phases where they only want to eat a certain food or food group and as long as they get their vitamins they are fine. Just think, within a few months you'll be making super healthy (and usually pretty easy!) meals that you can both enjoy! good luck!
   — jkb