A 2-Minute Parenting Essay No. 122: 'What Happened When I Stopped Preparing for Outings Alone'

Before heading out, I leave the rice ball making to my
husband,
my daughter in 4th grade, and
my son in 1st grade, while I get ready to go. Watching from the corner of my eye, my husband is clearly starting to get irritated, and the kids are getting caught in the crossfire =͟͟͞͞(•̀ω•́ ‧̣̥̇)

"The plastic wrap won't cut! Why don't you use Saran Wrap?"
"The furikake is spilling everywhere! Who! Who is holding the bag upside down and shaking it?!"
"The floor is getting dirty! The table too! And the chairs!"

I knew it. When you feel like you're being forced to do chores or preparations,
it immediately becomes boring. I guess my husband is the same. That makes sense.
(о￣∇￣)／

Still, though,
"Can so many incidents really happen just from making rice balls?"
I'm impressed, in a way, as I step in to mediate.

"Ichi-kun (my son), put the rice on, and you, Dad, and your big sister, add your favorite furikake and toppings, and roll them up~"

See, it's nothing to worry about.
Come to think of it, this might be the first time the four of us have made rice balls together. It's gradually becoming fun.

There are so many unique toppings and artistically shaped rice balls.
"What does this one taste like?"

We couldn't wait, so we ended up eating the rice balls for breakfast. ε=ε=(ノ≧∇≦）ノ

"Let's eat!"

Rice balls made by my family are the best!
Food that someone makes for you with all their heart really is delicious~
(ㅅ˙ ˘ ˙ )♡(ㅅ˙ ˘ ˙ )♡

From now on, I've decided we'll all do the preparations for outings together.
If I turn it into an event, it should be a breeze, right?

Eventually, I plan to involve everyone not just in preparing for outings, but in making meals too.
Hehehe. (＾皿＾o)。