Not even super mom and home-organization extraordinaireJoanna Gainesis immune from the occasional quick-fix dinner — but her kids aren’t complaining!
The formerFixer Upperstar chatted with friendJenna Bush Hagerin an interview surrounding her March cover ofSouthern Living, admitting that she resorted to “bags of 30-cent ramen” for a recent evening meal.
“Two weeks ago, I came home exhausted. I’d forgottenabout meal planning andhad five bags of 30-cent ramen, which I made for dinner,” recalls Joanna, 40.
But her children didn’t mind one bit. In fact, they “were in hog heaven,” she jokes.
Mike Davello for Southern Living
“While I was beating myself up for giving them my second best, they loved it,” Joanna explains. “AndI found grace in that moment.”
Jenna Bush Hager and Joanna Gaines.Mike Davello for Southern Living
Grace is something the mother of five is continuously working on giving herself as she parentsCrew, 7 months,Emmie Kay, 8½,Duke, 9½,Ella Rose, 12, andDrake, 14.
“I’ve been through plenty of stages of guilt. It always creeps in. It paralyzes me. I don’t want to waste a second of emotion on something that doesn’t create any good,” explains theWe Are the Gardenersauthor.
“I think, ‘What can Ido to show my kids that I love them?’ ” Joanna continues. “Even if it’s making a cup of hot cocoa, which takes a few minutes. It’s about finding little ways to connect.”
Joanna GainescoversSouthern Living‘s March issue.
“Mynature is for things to be orderly. It helps my mind think,” Joanna tellsSouthern Living. “After the kids are all in bed, I do a once-over of the house so I can start the next morning fresh for the day ahead. I love doing that. Not everyone does,so don’t let that pressure overrun your life.”
Joanna’s debut children’s book,We Are the Gardeners, is out March 26 but available for pre-order now onamazon.com.
source: people.com
