How to dispell the dinner fairy and lunch leprechaun myth
If you've read my writings before, you know how passionate I am about learning in the kitchen. I feel that your kitchen is the ideal setting to teach and learn. Kids respond to learning through cooking because they can take an active role in the process, and because it's a hands-on learning experience. When a child assists in preparing a dish, they will often become agreeable, inquisitive, and creative; taking ownership and pride in what they are making. Even the pickiest eaters love to eat something and what child does not like to make a mess? But how do we actually get them to help; especially when (for whatever reason) we've conditioned them to believe in the "Dinner Fairy" and "Lunch Leprechaun" by making meals magically appear on the table? Eating out constantly only perpetuates these myths and teaches our children that meals are ordered, not prepared. We are all busy, but I encourage you to take at least one night a week and cook with your kids.
There are 4 key reasons to get your kids regularly involved in meal preparation:
If you're busy or a single parent like me, doing everything is just not an option. If you plan right, you can cut meal preparation time in half by having kids pitch in.
If you're insecure about your own culinary skills, what better way to improve them than by learning along with your children? Using kid's recipes is a great way to start as they are usually much less complicated and since they are designed for kids, they taste good.
The self-confidence a child gains while cooking is invaluable and hard to equal. If your child does not naturally excel at sports or academics, cooking may be the perfect hobby for them.
- If we teach our kids how to cook, we literally help extend their lives. If they leave home knowing how to prepare even a few healthful meals, we reduce the likelihood that they'll take on unhealthy "fast food" diets as adults, and reduce their risk of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. There is no better gift.
Things You'll Need
- Patiience, a sense of humor and a desire to have fun with your kids.
Instructions
Pick a day that you know you'll have the time and patience to cook with your kids like Friday night dinner or Sunday morning breakfast Make the experience, not the meal the focal point. If necessary, have a snack before you start so you're not cooking hungry thus increasing your stress and frustration levels. Ask your kids what they want to make or give them a choice between two meals you know they like Take them shopping with you; but not at the 5 p.m. rush hour. Rather go in the late evening the night before. Read the recipe in advance and have specific tasks for them to do (like tearing lettuce, grating cheese, measuring dry ingredients, etc.) that they can do without micromanagement; and let them do it. Have fun and be sure to compliment them on their creations!
