A Mom Explains What “Mom Dinner” Is and It’s Painfully Accurate for Busy Parents

The Struggle of Mom Dinner

If you’re a busy parent, then you know all too well the dance of preparing your kids’ meals so they can eat well before you do since you have barely enough time to brush your teeth or take out the trash. As a mom, it’s the struggle of caring for the kids while my husband is at work for 12 hours a day. And one mom on TikTok by the name of @vermomster, whose real name is Erin, explains the truth about “mom dinner.”

What is Mom Dinner?

It’s the little bites of food or scraps we fit in while cooking the kids’ meals or cleaning up after them. For some of us, it’s hard to find the time to actually sit down and eat. So instead, we take a bite of mac and cheese here and scarf down some crust there.

In her viral TikTok video, Erin shows us her own version of mom dinner. She explains, “This is my meal, I call it ‘mom dinner,'” before we see a series of clips of her eating random bites of food from the meals she prepares for her kids. There’s a scoop of leftover rice in a pot, a spoonful of macaroni and cheese in a non-elbow macaroni shape, and there’s even some crust leftover from what appears to be dry toast.

The Reality of Mom Dinner

Erin describes mom dinner as a meal made up of at least one bite of each ingredient and/or meal made by oneself to feed one’s family. And she isn’t wrong there, especially when weeknights are so busy that it’s hard to actually sit down and have a meal yourself.

Sometimes, mom dinner is the only “meal” a busy mom has time for. Whether it’s rushing between kids’ sports activities or taking care of household chores, finding time for a proper meal can be challenging. Instead, moms often have to make do with the leftovers or scraps from their kids’ meals.

The Mom Dinner Experience

Mom dinner is not only relatable but also brings moms together in shared experiences. Reading through the comments on Erin’s TikTok video, it’s clear that other moms understand the struggle and embrace the concept of mom dinner.

One mom commented, “Me watching this while eating the rest of the corn out of the serving bowl.” Another shared, “The cold mac out of the pan is so real.” These comments highlight the reality of mom dinner and show that moms often find themselves eating the random leftovers from the rest of the family.

While mom dinner may not be a fancy or elaborate meal, it serves as a way for moms to fuel themselves and find some much-needed energy throughout the day. It’s a small moment for moms to take care of themselves while prioritizing the needs of their children.

The Concept of “Girl Dinner”

We have all heard of “girl dinner,” which is basically a hodgepodge of appetizers on a plate to make a quick, easy, and delicious solo meal. Mom dinner is a bit different, but the same idea is there. Except I think most of us would also love a girl dinner after the kids go to bed.

In Conclusion

Mom dinner may not be glamorous, but it’s a reality for many busy parents. It’s a way to nourish ourselves amidst the chaos of parenting and to find energy to keep going. So the next time you find yourself sneaking bites of your kids’ leftovers or eating over the sink, know that you’re not alone in the world of mom dinners.