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Monday, March 10, 2008
Is cooking with your kids worth the effort?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I know getting our children involved in the dinner making process opens their minds to new foods, but sometimes it’s a struggle enough to get everything on the table without having to worry about someone underfoot.
If you’re like me, just before serving dinner my kitchen, strewn with knives and steaming pots, looks more like a hiding ground for weapons of mass destruction than a place that I would consider safe for younger kids. It’s hard enough for me to keep my concentration during those final moments of timing everything just right, without having to worry about tiny hands landing someplace they shouldn’t.
But, there’s no doubt that many kids are intrigued with the process and you don’t want to discourage that eagerness which as they age, can translate into much needed help.
What I have found works the best for me is to solicit their assistance before the true hubbub starts, having them make the salad or vinaigrette, deciding on side dishes, things like that.
What about you? Do your kids want a piece of the dinnertime action? Can you incorporate them seamlessly into the flow or is it more aggravation than it’s worth?
P.S. Don’t you wish they showed the same interest in emptying the dishwasher or setting the table as they do with cooking???
