I can hear it already. Did your thoughts go something like this?
"I'd love to cook with my kids but it's so much easier if I just do it myself"
"Are you kidding? My kids aren't interested in spending time with me in the kitchen!"
"Oh the mess. That's the only time I have alone during the day. I'd like to keep it that way."
I'm sure there are other hindrances out there. All the points above I admit are somewhat valid. Think on this; as a parent, you are responsible for raising a healthy, productive adult. That includes an adult that can find their way around the kitchen. Here's some things we've learned while letting our kids pull up a chair and help us in the kitchen.
1. When allowed to make up one meal per week or every two weeks, the kids really get excited about not only cooking but shopping for the food as well.
2. Kids tend to eat more since they helped prepare the food. I don't know what it is, but it works.
3. Your kids are learning a valuable skill they will take with them all their lives.
4. Your kids can get creative! Lyshie loves making up her own recipes!
5. You get some good quality time with your children along with some super memories. Make sure to take pictures!
6. Good, healthy eating really does begin at home. While offering a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and free range meats, etc... you're teaching your child to make good decisions for their health and their taste buds.
Now that you've seen some benefits of cooking with your kids in the kitchen, here are some helpful hints.
1. Use a lettuce knife or butter knife for cutting. We have found these two knives to be invaluable.
2. Purchase or make chef's hats and aprons. It kind of makes it official in their minds and they look so cute!
3. Even very young children can help in the kitchen by pouring measured ingredients in a bowl, sprinkling on herbs and mixing.
4. Mistakes will happen and things may not turn out well. COntinue to let your child know they did a great job!
5. Make them a cooking star! We made a video years ago called Cooking WIth Ally. She was about 6 years old and made egg salad. It was so cute! We have to do that again.
Some of our favorite cookbooks for kids are:
The Children's Step by Step Cookbook by Angela Wilkes (Lyshies Favorite)
New Junior Cookbook by Better Homes and Garden
Marmee's Kitchen Primer
Better yet, start gathering all your family favorite recipes and make them into a cookbook for your daughter or son. Take pictures of them working on those specific recipes and put that in your cookbook.
Have fun cooking!
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xoxo