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I have mentioned many times before about my lack of cooking experience growing up. I did do some baking (even pretty young), but always things like cookies. (And even then, it was only peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies.) As a parent, I have a better understanding of one of the reasons I probably didn’t help with cooking and baking growing up — it’s just more work for the parent typically. It’s usually easier and quicker to say no when little hands want to help.
Again, I have mentioned my realization in the last year or so that I need to start working on the basics with my kids of some of those skills that I never learned growing up. This is easier in theory than in practice, of course. However, I have been trying to tell myself a few things. Among those things are facts like: (1) The children won’t learn to do these things if I don’t teach them. (2) If I take the time to teach the kids homemaking skills now, they will be more help to me while they’re still in the house.
Last week, I grabbed everything out to make cinnamon chip scones and Molly quickly came running into the kitchen. “Can I help?” she said with all of her six year old excitement.
“Not right now,” I answered. “I just want to whip these up quickly.”
She walked away, disappointed. Then, she came back to visit, but didn’t ask to help again. I felt bad and realized that this was exactly what I had been trying not to do. I grabbed out the rolling pin and asked if she wanted to roll it out. Her big brown eyes got extra big and she almost had to stop her hands from clapping, “Oh yes!” she exclaimed.
I helped her some, but tried to be as hands off as possible. Then, I got out the pizza cutter and offered that she could also cut the wedges. This was difficult for me because she did not cut them perfectly. I gave her a little guidance but, again, tried to tell myself that she needed to do this herself.
Sure, the scones were not the exact thickness that I might normally do. They weren’t cut perfectly either. But, it was the journey that was important, not the destination. Although, let me just tell you, when the journey is lined with cinnamon chips, the destination is probably going to be pretty tasty.
What ways do you let you children help in the kitchen?
This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday and Finer Things Friday.
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My five year old loves helping in the kitchen! His favorite dish to help make is chicken cutlets!
Angie-thanks so much for sharing the links to your blogs! Glad to have found these! I’m in awe-your blog is SO professional!
How old are your kiddos? I have four-my oldest and only daughter is 8, and my three sons are almost 6 (in March), 3 and 9 1/2 months.
I know what you mean in this post too-something I always struggle with because I am a perfectionist and I am usually in a hurry lol.
I was telling my daughter the other day as she was unloading the dishwasher that she needed to teach her brother to do it instead of just taking over the job for him. I told her that as the oldest she has most of the responsibility for the children’s chores right now but as we train the younger ones she will work herself out of a job and that even though it may take longer eventually it will be a great help to her (and me!).
Totally need to take my own advice on that one. I think for me what I need to be intentional about is building the extra time into my schedule to allow for those teaching opportunities. You’d think I’d have that down pat as a homeschooler! Thanks for the reminder!
It’s really hard to build in that extra time, isn’t it, Lisa? Makes a person wish there were about 40 hours in the day. Then again, I’d still probably only sleep for about 5 of those. Tsk, tsk.
I’m so glad that you stopped by — thanks!
My kids are 11, 9, & 6 (older two are boys). So,they are in 5th, 4th, & kindergarten.
Both my kids have always helped in the kitchen. I rarely turn them down, unless I as just really pressed for time. As a consequence both of them are always willing to help out. It is a great way to get them to talk about their day or their friends, with out feeling like they are being grilled.
Really great point, Jenny, about the benefits of letting children help in the kitchen!
While we were working on Christmas goodies to give as gifts, I had a moment where one child was scooping cookies onto a cookie sheet and the other two were each working on mixing a batch of scones. I just stood back and thought, “Wow!” It really cinched that I need to have them help more often.
Great post!
Being a destination guy, I’m going to try to turn this a little. Fair warning [smile]. Thesis: This journey is actually about the destination. You are willing to go through slightly uneven baked goods so your children end up in a better place in the end. The journey is always important, because otherwise you wouldn’t reach your destination.
Okay, okay… the journey is important too. But I’d say the best–and the important part–is the bond you make with your family as you walk this path.
~Luke
Oh.. I can so relate to this. I have a toddler and loves baking with me. So, each time, we head to the kitchen to make muffins/cake, she’ll climb up on her little stepstool, hand me the flour and sugar, help mix the batter and then lick the batter bowl clean:-) It takes probably double the time but its totally worth it:-)
I know what you mean about trying to give the opportunities and learning experiences, but then sometimes you just want to get it done quickly. My kids love to help bake, but I’m not the best baker so it stresses me out when they want to help. Dad is better about it so I let him offer the opportunities for them to help in the kitchen.
My kids absolutely love cooking. My 5-year-old can make a can of tomato soup all by herself, standing on a chair.
My daughter loves to help and she’s only one and a half! I was so encouraged by this post. It’s hard sometimes to let them help when we are pressed for time but if we let them it’s always rewarding. My daughter loves to put wet clothes in the dryer and helps unl
My daughter loves to help and she’s only one and a half! I was so encouraged by this post. It’s hard sometimes to let them help when we are pressed for time but if we let them it’s always rewarding. My daughter loves to put wet clothes in the dryer and helps unload the dishwasher.
This is so worth it!!! I am on the other end of the journey. My kids are older. 19, 14,12,8 & they are all either great in the kitchen or getting there. Way to go! Keep making time for the kids & don’t sweat the not perfectness of the results. Practice makes perfect!
Love to hear this, Kim! I really look forward to the kids being great helps in the kitchen!
I so can relate..my kids love to help in the kitchen, but sometimes it is just easier to do it myself. For awhile I had made it to where each child had one night during the week to help prepare dinner. They loved it. I need to start that up again.
I totally agree! My mom strongly encouraged me to help in the kitchen, so I’m very used to the idea, yet I still sometimes realize I’ve been brushing away my son (age 6) when he could help. I just get busy and forget what my real goals are….
Speaking of which, a childless friend offered to pick up my son from school yesterday and spend the whole afternoon with him at our church, baking Communion bread! (We use handmade bread, not wafers. We’re Episcopal.) He was thrilled, and it sounds like she had a great time, too. He lectured me all about how it’s done. He is so pleased that his bread will not only be eaten by our whole parish but will actually be consecrated.
One thing I’ve learned from my son is that sometimes, teaching him how to do every step of a task doesn’t work as well as letting him figure it out and show me The Way I Usually Do It. He’s had some really good ideas!