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We are hurtling into September which is a month I have always liked. Coming from a teaching background I like that September is a new start, a time to wipe the slate clean and set some goals for the last quarter of the year. It brings with it optimism and a renewed energy and some routine after the hedonism of summer.
This September though I have mixed emotions because Chloe is heading off to university. Whilst I am excited about the new journey she is on I know that we are going to miss her. I am hoping that the odd hockey match will bring her back this way and we can see her. We are also planning a midterm visit, probably in October half term, but that seems like a long way off right now.
The summer has passed in a whirlwind of exam results and preparation which started when we went on holiday. We left Chloe with £35 to feed herself and whilst that may sound alot to some for an 18-year-old used to helping herself from the bounteous cupboards it was a start. Before this, I’m not sure she knew how much a loaf of bread was!
More recently we have been chatting and planning some of the meals that she can cook for one. Chloe likes to eat healthily and plays lots of sport. She quickly feels rubbish and lethargic when relying on fast food and carb heavy meals. Eating healthily on a budget is a challenge as it is often easier to fill up on stodge.
This is our last week before the other two kids go back to school and Lee goes back to work, therefore, we decided to have a good family meal together and one that Chloe can cook again at university. The kids opted for fajitas and nachos which is a really social meal. We enjoy sharing meals where everything is put on a table and you can serve yourself. I find that this promotes conversation but also that everyone mucks in preparing dinner and the table.
We headed to the Co-op to stock up and discovered that Savvy students “bag” a saving at the Co-op with NUS extra. We learnt that NUS extra cardholders receive a 10% discount off their groceries at Co-op food stores UK-wide. Also, students who are Members of the Co-op gain a further 5% reward on purchases of own-branded products and services – with the Co-op donating an additional 1% to local causes. It is the discount card’s only partnership with a national food store, providing daily savings conveniently whether at home, or at University. To find the nearest participating Co-op food store, of which there are over 2,500 UK-wide, visit: https://finder.coop.co.uk/food this is certainly something Chloe has taken note of for when she starts University.
Sharing a meal will be one of the things I miss with her being away. As a family, we don’t manage to all eat together every day but at weekends we do and usually once or twice in the week. A meal really brings the family together and gives us a chance to share our news and what is going on in our day to day lives.
We would like to thank the Co-op for bringing us together and encouraging us to share some family time before the madness of term time starts again do follow @Co-opukfood for more food and meal ideas.
Disclosure: I’m working in a paid relationship with The Co-op and BritMums promoting the #Food4Freshers campaign sponsored by The Co-op. Visit Co-op to plan a meal that brings your family together.
4 Responses
Oh thats just brilliant students get 10% off and good luck to Chloe!
It’s so good to hear that Co-op are doing their best to help students find their way through the learning curve of budgeting and cooking for themselves.
It’s so daunting isn’t it! You want them to be sensible, but you can’t really tell them, they have to learn it for themselves. We have tried to prepare ours for budgeting and have left 3 of them before with a £10 budget each day between them. They said they cooked, but I’m pretty sure they mainly just ate sausage sandwiches 😀
I hope she enjoys uni – best of luck 🙂
I really miss having the whole family together for meals while my son is at university. This really bought back memories of when we got ready for his first year. Taking them shopping and getting them cooking is one of the practical ways our parents can help with uni life I think