Tips & Strategies for Family Meal Planning

Meal planning can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling work, school schedules, and a maybe some selective eating or strong preferences around meals. Meal planning often gets the reputation of "all or nothing" - I am either food prepping and have everything planned for every meal or I have no plan at all. Let's find a happy medium!

Having even a loose plan can save you time, reduce stress, and help you do your job in offering a variety of foods to your children. The goal isn’t perfection. It's gentle nutrition and (relative) peace at the table!

Start by building a flexible framework: Pick 3–4 dinner ideas for the week instead of planning every single meal. Think about what you already have in your fridge or pantry, and choose recipes that share ingredients (like using rotisserie chicken for tacos and a quick soup). Don’t forget to include one or two super-easy meals (“breakfast for dinner” or pasta with frozen veggies or a pre-made Costco lasagna).

Finally, try to involve your kids in small ways, like choosing a side dish, helping with grocery shopping, or picking a theme night (Taco Tuesday? random leftover Thursday?). Involving kids gives them a sense of ownership and may even reduce mealtime battles. Remember: it’s not about creating gourmet meals every night—it’s about creating a rhythm that works for your family.