I had a conversation with a friend recently where she appologized for having store bought rolls for dinner “I don’t bake like you do.” she said. First of all, the store-bought rolls needed no apology, they were really yummy. Second, I never used to bake either. Baking didn’t seem to be worth my time when Alberson’s bakery was only a few blocks from my house. In fact, cooking seemed a hardship with Wendy’s right over there. It is only since money became tight that I’ve begun baking goodies and bread on a regular basis.
It is simple economics. I can’t afford poptarts or sugary cereal or brand-name cookies or crackers. I can afford flour and salt and sugar and eggs, especially if I buy them in bulk. This shift into self-employment means lots of things that we can no longer afford to buy for the kids. I feel strongly that it is necessary for them to have visible and tangible evidence that life is better, even though money is in short supply. In essence, I bake so that we all feel lucky instead of poor.
It seems to be working so far. Apparently my kid’s lunchbox treats have become highly valuable items for barter. This makes me feel smug. I don’t mind if they trade pumpkin bread for potato chips. At least I gave them the tools they needed to get what they want. Mostly the kids eat the treats themselves and feel fortunate when they do.
I for one think it is awesome that you take the time to mother your children in such a special way. Not every mom who can’t afford to spend money on sugary/salty/storebought goodies for her kids spends the time she has to spoil them with homemade treats.
Economic determinism doesn’t make you the good mom that you are. Caring about your kids apparently does. And bless you for that.
homemade vs. the world
Interesting thing that I’ve noticed is that the kids whose families “make too much money” to qualify for free school lunches all come to school with sack lunches.
Also,
I think that the “world” or manufacturers are against Homemade.
I even saw a “convenient mix” for Fruit Crisp?!? Just add a can of fruit filling? Hello? Fruit Crisp is such an easy thing to make!
I just saw a cartoon during Thanksgiving showing people of the future looking at a Turkey in confusion and wonder and saying things like, “Where’s the microwave instructions?”
As a society I think we are losing our ability to cook, bake and sew and do other things that are considered hobbies or crafts these days.
They are also considered “old fashioned” and “stuff that old ladies do”. I mean, people used to fix holes in their socks, not throw them away and just buy new ones.
If people say, I can’t cook. I always add on , “YET.” Because it is only a matter of practice.
I am working my way towards where you are now Sandra. Of course, CFS slows it way down for me. “Lucky not Poor” I’ll have to make a cross-stitch hanging of that! 🙂
I’m proud of you.
and most importantly, you are teaching your children important lessons in “supply and demand” showing them that a quality product, availible in only small amounts are worth considerably more then larger amounts of common products. and many a person who is now wealthy started out poor but with that very same understanding.
in today’s mass produced, two working parents, not enough hours in the day world homemade is a very rare commodity. and when young kids love fast food and things like potato chips more then home made meatloaf and green beans, but once they’re out on their own in college or whatnot they’ll realize how wonderful home cooking really is. i currently work for a fairly high end gourmet chocolate store where we make our own fudge and caramel and such right in the store…and having never liked fudge before i was STUNNED at how different it is when home made and not pumped full of preservatives. it makes me regret not learning to cook more when i was younger and had more free time