Home > Feeding Frenzy > Archives > 2008 > March > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIs 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???
Comments
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By Stan
March 10, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Doing the dishes and setting the table is not fun while cooking is a lot of fun.
I have no kids, therefore I am the leading authority on all subjects pertaining to children :) but I’d say you are on the right track. Let them “help” where and when it dose not hinder you getting it done. Also keep things age appropriate for them. The 8 year old probably should NOT be dicing the carrots, unless you hope they develop the nickname “stubby”.
Also baking cookies or cakes is a great time to get the kids involved. It’s a great teaching opportunity. Science, math, following directions etc.
Stan
BTW good topic, much better than boxed soup
By cindy
March 10, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
I have “help” cooking since my oldest was 2 and wanted to help with his birthday cake. yes it’s messier and often it takes longer but kids will eat better when they had a part in the meal.
we love making our own pizzas. always popular. and i always get help with any baking project. why not include the kids?
and they can shred cheese, mix meatloaf and do just about anything knifeless. i work, so i like the quality time.
and i daresay most 5:30 challenges can be done by 5 and up.
By ATLmom
March 11, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
My 2-year-old “helps” me with dinner every night. It’s totally fun quality time. It can be painfully slow and make a huge mess, but thankfully my husband is on cleanup duty. He washes veggies, pours in ingredients that I measure, puts things in the fridge. When I don’t have a legit chore (which is often) I give him noodles to break or dry rice or beans to stir (not part of dinner). For me it’s worth it.
By new mom
March 11, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I’m glad my mother didn’t question whether cooking with me (basically letting me help) was worth it. From those early experiences in the kitchen, I grew to love to cook—and now I have the opportunity to share that with our daughter. It’s not always about what’s easiest and fastest…sometimes it’s about what’s best…
By Becky
March 11, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
I love having “help” in the kitchen from my twin grandchildren. They are 5 & both of them love to cook..Each one has their own apron & stepstool..They have been helping me since they were just over 2..Nothing more fun than watching her run to tell “Poppy” I made that..The boy will help me cook, then we have a restaurant time..He will take our order, put it on a plate & bring it to us..I wouldn’t trade this special time for anything..
By Nan
March 11, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Cooking with kids is definitely worth the effort. In our house we set up a system where each child was responsible for the evening meal one night per week — they came up with the menu, helped with the grocery shopping, and did the cooking. The one rule was no true convenience food (i.e., frozen pizza) because one item on the menu had to require following a recipe. The kids who didn’t cook helped with the clean-up. My spouse and I both worked full time, so we also did one night per week where it was pure convenience — the whole family going out to dinner, sometimes to a nice restaurant and sometimes just for fast food. Once we learned to step back and trust the kids everyone loved the system. The hardest part was learning to step back, keep my mouth shut, and provide help only when they actually needed it.
I’m not sure where the original idea came from — it might have started when the oldest daughter was working on a Girl Scout merit badge and her younger siblings insisted they wanted to be allowed to cook, too — but having them involved in the planning and shopping really brought home to them just how much effort is required to get dinner on the table.
By Becky
March 11, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Actually, the little ones do help me wash dishes..I never used my dishwasher (another blog??) so they take turns washing & drying..Yeah, I had a few broken dishes along the way, but still worth it..
By bobby dee
March 11, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
We let the kids help. When they mastered a recipe then they could cook this by themselves. Then when they turned 16, they did all the shopping and actually planned all the meals, making sure we all took our turns.
By Granny
March 12, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
I always encouraged my sons (3 kids, all boys) to be in the kitchen with me. I am almost 49 with a 10 year old son. He can cook a number of dishes. Have a 2 year old granddaughter and have just started her out with making cupcakes from a mix. Lots of fun, always teaching, watching and warning of any potential danger. Common sense has to rule, but you have to teach the little ones. My 10 year old can take of me food wise if I am too sick to take care of myself.
By Family affair
March 13, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
It is always worth the effort to allow your children the time with you to prepare a meal for the family. I am a single mother with four boys who love to cook almost as much as they love to eat. I work two jobs so there are only three days of the week we cook a full course meal and the three youngest ones are always there.I hand out age appropriate task and allow them creativity within that task. They have 1 day when they even get to plan what we will be cooking. I take that time to teach them cleaning as you go, proper food handeling, as well as kitchen safety. I am exhausted and my jaws usually hurt (from laughing at some of the things they create or do), but it is always worth it.