Life after divorce

Now that the phase of divorce is complete, you would have noticed that life continued, also that divorce is not one moment, the divorce is a court process, but there are assets to sort out and they can take time to transfer.

As part of the divorce settlement, you would have agreed on the parenting plan for time with the kids. My experience is nothing less than 50% as kids need both parents. Whatever the arrangement you came too, you would have certain time without your kids and they with your ex-partner.

You can use this time effectively, by getting the household work done as well as the cooking. Great meals take time, and my experience is to maximise the time with my kids when I have them, and get the cooking and housework done when they are with their mother.

I have changed the washing cycles for linen and clothes to align when my kids are with me, so they still need to make their beds, change their linen, and fold their washing.

I also use the time, when they are not with me to plan for adventures, research new meals and have me time.

In the first few months, my kids complained the food they got was not exciting. Be careful with kids, as they work out how to play one parent against another. A simple solution followed, they got a different lunch and dinner, every day. So, they could not complain as it was at least a month before the repeat.

This took a simple meal plan that was rotated. Its not that hard as you can change up breads with the same topping, use different sauces but the beauty now, is that they no longer ask about dinner or lunch as each meal is what they like and they compromise that I one of the meals or items is a treat, the other meals are healthier. You can also great creative and find many heathier snacks and treats.

Be sure to select your preferences in the food ideas for the future cookbook.

The assets are divided, and you live in a separate home, your kids move between the homes and now you're responsible for the meal, school lunches and kids’ friends that come over.

It can be a bit much to absorb at first, especially if this was not your role before. Remember, just like learning to do something for the first time, you need to learn the new skills, which involve planning, cooking, and checking your kids return the containers, eat their lunches and not trade all their food away at school!!

Depending on the parenting plan, you can work out which meals are with your kids and which will be with you. This also helps to manage the shopping budget which generally becomes might tighter post-divorce. Managing the portions you prepare, will also help manage the leftovers and wasted food.

Once you know what food you need to prepare, you can work out what cooking utensils and devices you will need. You can build up over time as you become more experienced. If you shop around, you can find great deals for quality materials.

You can also plan ahead and take advantage of specials on food so you can more value from your spending.

Be sure to select your preferences for the food you enjoy in the food ideas for the future cookbook.

It’s the start of your new journey, and as you begin to create a new life, you can find inspiration on bringing new meals and tastes into your mealtimes with yourself and your kids.

Include your kids in coming up with new food ideas and ask them what they feel a great school lunch is. Your kids will help filter down the choices and you will see the more effort you put it, they more they will trust your choices and try new things.

There are lots of sources to find new ideas, Youtube, cooking shows, recipe books, magazines, and online, but remember, it’s not that you need to replicate the recipe, you can get ideas from how its made and what’s included in the ingredients to tweak and dish that you are comfortable making.

I recently watched a famous chef prepare a chicken dish; I was not interested in the ingredients of the dish but a specific method he applied to cooking. He sliced the thicker parts of the chicken breasts to even out the cooking. This was a great technique as the thicker parts of the breasts take longer to cook. The rest of the dish was a bit complicated, but that technique was useful.

The more you find inspiration, the more you will find new experiences going forward,

Make sure you select your choices of food that you enjoy to feature in the future cookbook.

As a divorced dad, you will need skills that maybe were not necessary before. These can be cooking, cleaning, homework, mending and more.

The internet is great to find out how to do things you not sure of. You will be amazed what you can find, when searching. There is help there, you just need to put effort into finding it.

Allot of great foods, come down to technique. New food comes from trying new ingredients and methods of preparation. All of this come with time and practice so don’t be afraid to try. I recently created a plant based short bread recipe. It was a huge hit with my kids and generated lots of interest from family and friends only transforming a classic biscuit into a modern trend.

Not only was the taste great, I also put effort into creating a new shape of the biscuit. I made a rectangle with the fork prick in the centre. While it’s not extremely creative, it was not the usual shape of biscuit they were used to and added to the appeal.

The more you work in the kitchen, the more you will find ways to create exciting meals and better treats for your kids and family post your divorce.

Make sure you select your choices of food that you enjoy to feature in the future cookbook.