Intrusive Thoughts – Banana Bread Method

Some confessions are too spicy for the school gate but just right for the internet. When @lowkey_ella admitted she only likes one of her two kids, it hit a nerve - because deep down, every parent knows the truth. Some children are delightful daisies; others are prickly little cacti. And that’s okay. We’re all friends here, so let’s say it out loud… then bake banana bread to smother the guilt in sugar and butter!

Here's What I Would Do!

1. Confess your secret reference? Risky. 
2. Book in a family therapy session? Expensive. 
3. Swap one kid for a puppy? Tempting! 
4. Or... you could keep the peace (and your secrets), grab those spotty bananas on the bench, mash away the guilt and transform your “bad parent” intrusive thoughts into a gloriously moist banana bread. It won’t fix sibling rivalry or erase the prickly moments of parenting, but it will make the house smell heavenly. That’s practically therapy in a loaf tin.

When in Doubt, Bake it Out

Moist, rich, and impossibly comforting, banana bread is the ultimate way to use up those bananas and smooth over your conscience. Bake it, slice it, and serve it warm. Trust me, it’s impossible to pick favourites when everyone’s got crumbs on their face.

Check out these beautiful banana recipes: 

Helpful Hints

Families are messy, kids are unpredictable, and guilt is baked right into the parenting job description. So, take a breather and focus on the banana bread. If your loaf keeps sinking, your oven’s probably running too hot. Try dropping it down 10 degrees, and don’t open the door too soon.

Use the spotty bananas (they’re the sweetest), fold gently so it stays fluffy, and test doneness with a skewer before you call it done. That smell travels faster than sibling rivalry - within minutes, they’ll both be in the kitchen, and you might even get a thank-you.

Allergy-Friendly, Kid-Approved

Every kid deserves a slice, even the ones who can’t go near dairy, eggs, or nuts. Luckily, banana bread is one of the easiest recipes to tweak without losing its magic.

• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap butter for Olivani Spread and use your favourite plant-based milk (oat, soy, almond). Creaminess without the cow.
• Egg-Free Option: Bananas already bring binding power! Add an extra half-banana or try a “flax egg” (1 Tbsp ground flax + 3 Tbsp water, left to gel) for structure.
• Nut-Free Nibble: Skip the walnuts or pecans for sunflower or pumpkin seeds. They give a nice crunch without the allergy risk.
• Chocoholic Friendly: For kids who think fruit is suspicious, Chelsea’s Chocolate & Banana Loaf is the ultimate disguise.

Banana bread doesn’t need to be one-size-fits-all—so mash, mix, and tweak until every little daisy and cactus in the family can enjoy a warm, crumbly slice.

Conundrums happen every day. Chelsea’s got the answers.
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