Tina Khalil (@MrsClueless) on Motherhood, Cooking & Life Through Uncertain Times
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As Women’s History Month unfolds and Mother’s Day approaches, I had the pleasure of catching up once again with Tina Khalil, the Lebanese food creator known to many as @MrsClueless.
Since our last conversation, Tina has welcomed her third child, Corine, a beautiful new chapter that has reshaped her experience of motherhood. But this moment of personal joy comes alongside a much heavier reality. Lebanon is once again going through a period of uncertainty, forcing many families to navigate daily life under difficult circumstances.
Through it all, Tina continues to share her world with honesty and warmth, from raising three children to finding comfort in the kitchen when everything outside feels unstable. Her story reflects the resilience of modern motherhood, where cooking, family, and routine become anchors during uncertain times.
We spoke about life with three children, how motherhood evolves, what it means to create content in times of crisis, and the kitchen tools that make everyday cooking feel easier and more meaningful.
Life Since Last Year: Welcoming Corine
Last time we spoke, you were expecting your third child. Since then, Corine has joined your family! What has this new chapter of motherhood been like for you?
“It’s been amazing! Honestly a totally different experience than with my first two. The kids are completely obsessed with her, which makes it even more special. And I feel much calmer this time around. I think it’s a mix of experience and maturity… I’m able to enjoy it more without the same anxiety I had before.”
How have your older children adjusted to becoming big siblings now that Corine is here?
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, in the most normal way. Fahd has adjusted incredibly well, he’s such a caring and attentive older brother. Nayla is obsessed with Corine too, but she definitely has moments of jealousy, which is completely natural. The good thing is she’s very expressive about how she feels, and I really try to give her the time and attention she needs so she still feels secure.”
With three kids at home now, what does a typical day in your kitchen look like?
“I’m very lucky to have help, so my time in the kitchen hasn’t changed much in that sense. If anything, I’m spending more time there now because I’m working on my cookbook. And then there’s Couca’s feeding journey, which has taken me back to cooking baby food again, it’s been such a full-circle moment for me.”
Living Through Difficult Times in Lebanon
The past weeks have been incredibly heavy for Lebanon. As a mother and a creator sharing your life online, how have you been navigating these moments? And how do you talk to your children about what’s going on?
“It’s been surreal. I still can’t fully grasp that we’re going through this again in 2026. It feels like the whole world is moving forward, and somehow we keep going backwards. Having three kids at home is already a challenge on its own, but I’m deeply grateful we’re safe and that they’ve been able to continue school online. That being said, it hasn’t been easy. Keeping them entertained while trying to mask your own stress… I think that’s something Lebanese mothers have mastered.
On a personal level, it’s also been difficult because work was at an all-time high for me, and suddenly everything paused. That shift is very demotivating, especially when you were in such a good momentum.
With the kids, I do explain what’s happening, but I always tone it down. My priority is to reassure them and make sure they feel safe, without exposing them to fear.”
During difficult times, do you find that cooking and gathering around food take on a different meaning for your family?
“Cooking is my therapy. I’ve probably cooked more in the past two weeks than I have all year. It keeps me grounded, clears my mind, and gives me something to focus on outside of everything happening around us. It’s my way of creating a sense of calm at home.”
The Kitchen Tools That Make Everyday Cooking Easier
With three children and a busy household, what kitchen tools genuinely make everyday cooking easier for you?
“My knife and my cast iron pots. I honestly can’t live without them. There’s something about using tools you really love that makes everyday cooking feel easier and more enjoyable.”
You’ve been using SEKKIN knives for a while now. What difference do they make in your day-to-day cooking?
“They make a huge difference. They’re genuinely some of the best knives I’ve used, and they make cooking so much more enjoyable. I’m someone who does everything from start to finish, all the chopping, all the prep, so having a knife that’s sharp, precise, and comfortable really changes the whole experience.”
Why the Right Kitchen Tools Matter
In moments of uncertainty, it’s often the smallest rituals that carry the most meaning. For Tina, the kitchen remains a place of grounding, a space where she can create, nurture, and find calm amid everything else.
The tools we use every day play a quiet but powerful role in that experience. A well-balanced, sharp knife doesn’t just make cooking easier, it makes it more enjoyable, more fluid, and more intuitive.
This Women’s History Month and Mother’s Day, we celebrate women like Tina, who continue to show up, care, create, and move forward, even when the circumstances are far from easy.
Because sometimes, resilience looks like simply gathering around a table, preparing a meal, and continuing, one day at a time.