So true. I have had these experiences as well and it is ridiculous! The church teaches to help those in need. Not those who are perfectly capable of making meals themselves. Some people seem to think that providing a meal is the only way to show compassion and love. That is so false. Meals are not necessary unless the family is truly in need.

That wasn’t my point. My point was that men and women (even stay-at-home mums) have long days at work.

Really? You thought your RSP was stingy? With all the hours of service she put in to a calling that is the busiest calling in the ward next to the bishop. She shouldn’t have to provide meals as an organized effort for every little thing when families are perfectly capable themselves. It is every member in Relief Societies obligation to provide service. You really shouldn’t call your leaders stingy who are giving more hours of their lives than you ever would.

Then if you can’t take care of a new baby, don’t have one. People outside the church do it on their own all the time. It may be nice when people help out, but it isn’t something you should expect.

How long do you seriously expect meals to be brought in? a new baby is going to take all your time for many many months. You expect families who have their own struggles to be put out for that long to take care of you because you’d rather have him enjoying time with you? Wouldn’t we all rather a lot of things? Struggle a little. We all have to do it. Don’t just expect service. Be grateful when it comes, but don’t expect that the Relief Society to provide meals for you just because you had a new baby. There is a little thing called self reliance.

amen to everything you said!!! I like your thinking. I feel the exact same way.

McDonald’s? Seriously?

after a long day at work, coming home to help your wife take care of the baby is already enough to be getting on with.

Don’t mothers have long days at work?

And the basis of the idea is NOT that the woman does all the cooking and cleaning. It’s that not every husband can take a whole week off of work, and after a long day at work, coming home to help your wife take care of the baby is already enough to be getting on with. Receiving help with the meal should be a welcome treat! Personally, I’d rather have my husband with me sharing the joy of our newborn child than in the kitchen cooking for me!

Also, in my ward, meals are provided whenever one or both parents is incapacitated (child birth, surgery, etc.), if there is a death in the family, or if one of the children has sustained a serious injury or illness.

Provided meals can be wonderful if you accept them with humility! Allowing a family member to be free from spending time in the kitchen is an amazing thing. It can help bring your family closer in times of trial, and, in doing so, can help you, as a family, become closer to the Lord.