05/22/2026
Years before we had Robbie back when I first started cooking from scratch, preserving, and canning people would always say things like, "Wait until you have kids, you won't have time for that," or "When you have kids, those things won't matter as much."
Let me start this random musing by saying: please, don't ever say things like "when or if you have kids" to anyone. It can be incredibly hurtful, especially to those silently carrying the heavy weight of infertility and delayed or lost dreams. Just don't do it.
In the nine months I’ve had the joy of being a mom, our kitchen has changed. There are definitely a few more convenience items around, and there are absolutely days when a "homemade dinner" means eggs and yogurt. But my mindset around quality food, filling my pantry, and cooking from scratch hasn't wavered.
The biggest shift is just the rhythm. Am I canning willy-nilly after work these days? Nope! It takes a lot more planning now. We tackle projects during nap time, or while Robbie is playing independently and buzzing around in his walker (usually smashing into my ankles).
To all the mamas who want to raise their babies in a kitchen-centered home: you’ve got this! It looks different, it’s rarely easy, and you’ll definitely have to juggle nap time with prep time, but it is entirely possible. You can cook from scratch, fill your larder, and raise your babies.
You’ve got this, Mama! Now, time to finish this jam before nap time ends.
