Worst Dinner You Ever Served Your Kids

Let's face it. Moms get tired sometimes. And Dads, too. Surely I can't be the only parent embarrassed about what they've served up for dinner when there was no time to cook.

Sometimes it's just a late night of driving the kids to practices and games, sometimes you get lost in helping the kids with their homework and never get to the store, and sometimes you just look at the clock and realize it's too late, and you're just too tired to cook.

I recently got an email from a listener who had planned and executed a Halloween party for her daughter's school friends, complete with hand-sewn matching costumes for the two of them. Mom of the Year stuff! But she felt like a bad mom because one night, after picking up her daughter from a two-hour dance practice and walking in the door after 8:30 pm, she realized she had never made dinner, and sent her daughter to bed on a meal of Cheez-Its and orange juice.

I told her that her daughter is alive and healthy...no harm done...and proceeded to tell her that there has been a night or two where the best thing I could put together after a crazy day was Saltines, a banana, and a glass of milk for my son.

Another listener texted that one night she got home late with her kids and the only thing she could serve them for dinner was a plate of mini-muffins and a glass of water.

Then there's the times, like last night, when I spent HOURS chopping veggies, then waiting for the crock pot to fully cook my lentil soup. But when I got too tired to wait, I took it out early and tried to serve it to the boys. Well, I couldn't get away with it. They knew after three spoonfuls that something wasn't right. But I had no back-up plan to that dinner...except to give them a glass of Ovaltine and call it a night. At least they had a big lunch and had been snacking all afternoon. Sigh.

Has this ever happened to you? If so, PLEASE share so we can increase the support for good parents having bad days!