Declining meals from friends? WWYD?
sweetmelodies&harmonies
member
Our small group from church always does a meal rotation for families who've recently had babies. I've often participated in this but --- and I realize this is going to sound kind of bitchy --- but I'd rather not receive meals. I'm kind of the "granola" one of the group (I'm into organics, recycling, yoga, hypnobirthing, cloth diapering, etc), and we just honestly won't eat the meals that they bring. (It's a lot of casseroles, enchiladas, etc.) We try to eat fresh and organic only, and my mom will be here, plus MH gets paternity leave, so they will be available to cook.
They're a really sweet group of people, and I do appreciate them wanting to do meals for us. I just hate knowing that we're going to throw most of the food away and wondered if I should try to politely decline their offer of bringing meals, or if I should just gratefully accept, and toss the food. The only complicated thing is that they don't usually ask if you'd like to receive meals ... they just make a sign up sheet and ask when they should show up. 
Re: Declining meals from friends? WWYD?
Is there someone you are really close to that you could talk with? Maybe mention that if someone does cook you would prefer certain foods or something?
it may be tough to decline but if you are close to them, i am sure they would understand
Our small group did the same thing... and I was by far the crunchy one. ?However, right after my second was born and after my mom left.. I was fine eating a few meals that weren't our norm. ?I was too tired to cook and my DH was exhausted too. ?It was wonderful.
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However, if you know you won't eat what they make... ?just say that you won't be needing meals. ?THey will go to a lot of trouble to make them and that is just disrespectful to pitch them knowing ahead of time that you won't eat them. ?My two cents.?
I wish I had this issue - will you send me your meals?
If you really think you or DH won't eat them then let someone know.
This. And...I'm seconding the poster who mentioned just receiving groceries instead of full meals. You could even make up a simple list of things you run out of often (organic milk, juice, "easy" fruits like apples and bananas, cereal, etc), and people could bring you a couple of bags. They'd probably be delighted not to cook!
They want to help. Your job is to find a way to tell them how they can. Throwing food away isn't really a good idea, but you deserve to have the types of food you eat normally, too--especially during a time like post-partum! Groceries, with a simple list of suggestions and brands, might be the perfect thing to suggest.
Will you be having any house guests who WOULD eat those meals? If so, perhaps keeping some on hand for when friends/family unexpectedly "pop" in around dinner out might be a good idea.