The simple neo-classical household model presents a major problem - the cooperative unique household utility function might not always be appropriate. More specifically, women's and men's utility functions might be different. To accomodate the problem, this paper explores the possibility of an enlarged household model. This model also includes two other elements that have recently received major attention, credit and seasonality. The analysis of data from southern Mali indicates that, in contrast to the family's total income, the family's assets and women's income have a positive effect on the nutritional status of pre-school children in the pre-harvest season. The relationship does not hold in the period after the harvest. This indicates that the women's utility function differs from that of the family as a whole, and that the seasonality of the income is very important.