When I returned to work after my second parental leave, one of the things I found a challenge to get organized was cooking dinner for my family. Having limited time to cook delicious and nutritious meals, my husband and I began to double up on recipes so that we could eat dinner and freeze the rest for a quick meal another night. It didn't take long before we began to feel bored with our meals, not even having enough time to research and try out new recipes.
Recently, in chatting with my other working mom friends, I realized that I was not the only one encountering this issue. It dawned on me that it would be much more fun if a group of us were to get together and each cook a favourite meal, quadruple the recipe, and at the end of the day each take home a bunch of different meals that we could throw into our freezers.
Not surprisingly, this "Supper Club" as we now call it, is much more than simply a group that gets together and cooks. The afternoon is a retreat for all of us, as we share a meal before we begin - without kids. As all parents of young children will understand, we have a rare opportunity to check in with one another and have uninterrupted conversations, we share our joys and our struggles, we discuss books and articles we are reading, we explore values, ideas, parenting strategies, and support one another in our constant challenge to find balance in an ever-busy world.
For me, this group and our cooking time together, is a wonderful example of deepening community that touches on all four pillars outlined in Paul Born's book Deepening Community: Finding Joy Together in Chaotic Times. These afternoons are about sharing our stories, enjoying one another, caring for one another, and working together towards a better world. Not only do we benefit from having a freezer full of delicious and nutritious meals, but we also feel the lasting impact of great friendships and knowing that we are supported in this joyful and chaotic parenting journey.
Learn more about Deepening Community: Finding Joy Together in Chaotic Times.
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