You know what’s really fun? Reading articles about consistent mealtime routines while your toddler launches spaghetti at the dog and your six-year-old dramatically declares they can’t eat their dinner because it has “a smell.”
I get that routine is supposed to be the golden ticket. Consistent meals, consistent bedtimes, consistent… everything. But let’s be real—some weeks (okay, months), my consistency levels hover somewhere between “maybe tomorrow” and “what even is a routine?”
If you’re like me, then reading about beautifully orchestrated family dinners can often feel like listening to nails on a chalkboard. (Do kids today even know what that sounds like? Probably not. They’d just say, “Mum, why do you say things like that?”)
But here’s something I’ve learned: you can have consistency— just not in the way the glossy parenting books suggest. And honestly? That’s good enough.
Embracing the Beautiful Mess of “Consistently Inconsistent”
To state the obvious: life happens. Kids get sick, work deadlines pile up, and suddenly you’re eating cereal at 8 PM while explaining to your child that their toast can’t be cut into the shape of a unicorn tonight. Some days will feel like a win because everyone’s gathered at the table, and other days, the big achievement will simply be keeping everyone alive.
But—and this is important—that’s still consistency.
It’s the kind that doesn’t look Pinterest-perfect, but it’s there, quietly showing up beneath the surface.
Consistency isn’t about perfectly timed meals or elaborate dishes; it’s about showing up most of the time. Kids don’t need gourmet spreads or a dinner bell to feel safe and loved. They just need those little moments of connection—whether that’s at the table, the couch, or on the go.
The Not-So-Perfect Consistency Cheat Sheet
So dinner didn’t happen exactly at 6 PM. No alarms went off. No one gave you a bad parent award. Phew!
While you’re adapting to survive mealtime, take a look at this handy little cheat sheet. It’s not here to add more to your plate—it’s just a reminder that the way you show up counts.
1. Find the Rhythm in the Chaos
Forget about the clock for a second. Consistency isn’t just about when you eat, it’s about how. Maybe you don’t hit the same time every day, but you gather around the same space—whether that’s the table, the picnic blanket, or the car ride to soccer practice.
Even if the timing shifts, the ritual of sitting together (and possibly negotiating the length of carrot sticks) stays the same. And that’s consistency.
2. Anchor in the Little Things
Some nights you’ll have a full three-course meal, and other nights, it’s scrambled eggs and Vegemite toast. But maybe dessert is always a little fruit or yoghurt. Maybe you light a candle at dinner because it feels fancy and distracts the kids from fighting over who gets the blue plate.
Kids will remember these little traditions, and not the number of mash scoops you offer them. Small things = big consistency points.
3. Embrace the “Snack Dinner”
If dinner falls apart, pivot to a smorgasbord of random snacks on a big platter. Kids think it’s a party. You know it’s just what was left in the fridge. But hey—everyone’s been fed and you didn’t have to cook. Winning.
4. Laugh When It All Unravels
Some nights, dinner ends in tears (and not just from the kids). When the routine crumbles, lean into the humour. Tomorrow is another day, and honestly, “we had popcorn for dinner because Mum was done” makes a great story for the memory bank.
The Quiet Power of Simply Being There
I’ve come to accept that my version of consistency looks less like a perfect schedule and more like a creative work-in-progress. And that’s okay. Because no matter what the day looks like—whether it’s dinner at 5:30 or toast at 8 PM—the thing that remains consistent is us.
We’re there. We show up.
Even if the routine looks like it’s being held together by sticky tape and leftover lasagna.
And you know what? I reckon that’s the kind of consistency that sticks.
Joyfull (Even When Dinner Isn’t)
At Joyfull, we get that family life is rarely polished. That’s why our feeding sets are made for real-life dinners—the good, the bad, and the “we forgot to defrost the chicken.” They’re durable, fun, and suited to all kinds of situations—from daily snacks, to taco Tuesdays, and all the bits in between.
So here’s to you—the parent juggling a thousand things and still managing to throw something (anything) on the table.
You’re doing just fine.
Consistency? You’ve got it—in your own way.