Why I Embrace Freezer French Toast Sticks

I was checking out of the grocery store a few weeks back and I had just put my standard two boxes of frozen french toast sticks on the conveyor belt when the woman behind me stated, “You know, you can make a much healthier and cost effective french toast casserole that is just delicious.” I just smiled and said thank you. I’m sure that woman was just trying to be kind, but I have come to embrace those freezer french toast sticks that take just about one minute to cook in the mornings.

You see, I’m a dinner mama. I love to cook homemade dinners for my family. I enjoy chopping, sautéing, and baking while my 6 year old does his homework at the kitchen table, some sort of Disney soundtrack plays on the Echo, and my 4 year old runs in and out of the kitchen showing me the transformers that he has made out of his magna-tiles. Dinner is my jam. Breakfast not so much. For some reason the evening chaos (prior to the bedtime marathon) is often times surreal for me. I often times stand there in disbelief that I’m standing there helping my kindergartner with his homework. I wasn’t sure I would ever have that moment. So, while the cooking/homework time/playtime is often times a bit like a three ring circus in the evenings, I’m grateful for it. 

However, in order to best care for my family I have found that I need to be selfish with my mornings. I have those frozen french toast sticks ready to go on the table when my kiddos get up, I help with getting dressed, brushing teeth, getting shoes on, and getting all of the things to get out of the door in a semi-timely fashion, but I have to take time out for me in the mornings in order to have something in me to give to the tiny humans. I need to have time to do my hair, put on some makeup, get dressed, and sip a cup of coffee. Those moments fill me up.

Yes, I most certainly could cook a hot fresh breakfast for my boys each morning and still manage to walk out the door dressed, but instead I choose to have a few extra moments for me. I think as mamas we are pushed to constantly be taking care of everyone else, but it’s okay (and necessary) for you to make choices for you too! So, for the mamas who whip up french toast casserole for your family in the mornings, that is awesome. For the mamas who drive through McDonald’s on the way to school and daycare, I am proud of you for finding a way to get food in your babies bellies. You do you mamas!