Local Options

Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

Since 2003 I have worked part time in one way or another and all household chores, grocery shopping, and cooking fell to me by default. And that was fine. I was the one with the most time.

Now I'm not. I'm going back to work full time and I have absolutely no clue how dinner is going to happen.

So, to those of you who've been parenting and working full time and making dinner happen all this time: I salute you. I bow down before you. Long ago, in another life, I knew how to do this. But I have lost my chops.

Educate me. What are the best local options for busy parents to get food on the table fast? What tricks have you learned for juggling everything and staying sane?

When my daughter was an infant and I was commuting to Baltimore to work every day, we fell back on take-out and cereal as dinner much more than I would have liked. We survived. But it wasn't pretty.

Howard County has plenty of grocery stores, and several grocery delivery options. I know there are also services that delivery pre-prepped ready to cook meals. Have you tried any? Does anyone deputize children or spouse to participate in the dinner process?

You are the experts. Tell me what Howard County has to offer. A hungry family awaits your wisdom.