Dear Busy Mom,
Let’s be honest—between grocery lists, school lunches, and half-eaten dinners, feeding our kids can feel like a full-time job. And thanks to social media, we’re more exposed than ever to how other people are doing it. The beautifully styled bento boxes. The rainbow meals. The “just whip this up in 3 minutes!” recipes.
But Megan McNamee, MPH, RDN, and co-founder of Feeding Littles, wants to remind you of something important:
“We’re forgetting that what we know instinctively about ourselves and our family… is good enough.”
We’re overcomplicating it. And the expectations we carry—whether from Instagram, our own upbringing, or what we imagine “good moms” do—are heavier than we realize. Megan believes it’s time to release that pressure and trust our intuition again.
Here are three takeaways from our conversation with Megan that we hope bring you peace (and maybe even make lunch a little easier this week):
1. Stop Reinventing the Wheel: Use What You Have
One of Megan’s favorite lunch tips? Use leftovers.
No need for special ingredients or elaborate prep. In fact, one of the most popular lunches at her kids’ school is cold ravioli with a side of marinara—straight from last night’s dinner.
“Think cold pizza—kids love it!”
If you’re already chopping cucumbers for your salad or roasting veggies for dinner, just set some aside and drop them in a lunchbox container. You’re saving time and money, without buying a bunch of extra ingredients.
2. When It Comes to Picky Eating, Let Go
If mealtimes feel like a battlefield, you’re not alone. But here’s Megan’s advice:
“It’s not your job to make them eat—it’s your job to let them eat.”
That quote, originally from feeding therapist Jenny McLaughlin, shifts everything. The more we push, the more our kids push back. Pressure actually makes picky eating worse—because for many kids, food is one of the only things they can control. The solution? Take a deep breath, back off a little, and focus on connection instead of coercion.
Let them explore new foods at their own pace—whether that’s helping you cook, touching food in the grocery cart, or just seeing it show up on their plate without expectation. It all counts.
3. If You’re Struggling, You’re Not Failing
Feeding challenges are hard and isolating. But if school lunches, family dinners, or picky eating are causing real stress in your home, you don’t have to do it alone. Talk to your pediatrician or a feeding therapist. There’s no shame in asking for help. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong—it means you care deeply and want to create a peaceful mealtime environment for your family.
We loved hearing Megan’s heart for busy moms—because it’s not just about food. It’s about permission. Permission to make lunch easier. Permission to feed your kids in a way that works for your life. And permission to believe that good enough is, in fact, great.
To learn more from Megan (including tons of school lunch inspo and her best-selling book), visit FeedingLittles.com and follow @feedinglittles on Instagram.
From one busy mom to another… You’ve got this!
XO, The momAgenda Team
