The age of the single dads is upon us. Juggling a home and a career is no small feat; it's an even bigger deal if you have kids in the mix. Moreover, hungry mouths must be fed - so what's a dad to do? Well bring the pots and pans out and get to work. Single dads are making a name for themselves when it comes to being excellent caregivers. While the job is tough, it's one they perform with a ton of love. So come dinnertime you should know you have nothing to worry about, that's if you follow our little pieces of advice! 

Aricia LaFrance, a parenting coach and instructor, provides some brilliant insights into what single dads can do to spruce up the dinner table. Don't worry; singe dad cooking experts aren't all that rare. 

Always have a backup plan 

Make sure you know what your children will or won’t eat, then start out with simple dishes which you can manage easily, and quickly. One thing you need to remember is nutrition; it's important to get as many nutrients from as many food groups on a single plate as possible. While you should make sure, your concoctions taste good you also have a responsibility to ensure that they have the right kind of ingredients for a growing teen. 
However, if some days your professional demands make it impossible to cook up an elaborate storm, make do with a back up can of soup and a simple sandwich. Cooking food for kids can be a fun experience if you do it right. 

Stock up!

Stock up on ingredients, which are the main staple food in your house. Buy through sales or online to save money. Notice what your kids mostly eat in restaurants, then stock up on healthful alternates of their favorite foods and create imaginative meals from them.

Ask for help

Invite your teens to lend you a hand in the kitchen and help them create their signature dish, while they help you create yours. This ritual is a sure shot way of making teens interested, not just in cooking, but eating as well. In addition, you can’t deny the amazing bonding that takes place when teens and parents work on something together.

Double duty

Make two or three batches of whatever you have time to cook. If you freeze the extra portions, you can easily use them up later in the week when you don't have enough time. This'll help you be more economical and save time in the long run. 

Turn rituals into traditions

No matter what the day is and what the food is, always demand that meals be eaten as a family. Eating meals with your teens will help you stay on track of what is happening in their lives. In addition, lots of important family issues are amicably discussed and resolved around the dining table. So for stronger bonds with your children, make the ritual of eating a meal together into a tradition.