I love cooking with kids and think it's a really wonderful activity to engage in. But I know that the idea strikes horror in the hearts of a lot of people!
My aim is to convince you that *maybe* it's not that bad, and the many advantages outweigh any potential disadvantages.
Why do it?
It is a great way of spending time with your children. And while you're engaging with them, spending quality time together and getting an important job done, they're not making a mess in the next room or howling or fighting cos they're bored! So, less time tidying up and breaking up squabbles!
You are teaching them a really key set of life skills; offering them independence, teaching them about nutrition and creating really positive associations with healthy, home cooked, balanced food. No more worries about how they'll cope when they flee the nest! They'll be healthier and probably better off, as they won't have to rely on fast food, expensive ready meals and eating out to survive on their own!
It's a great opportunity for learning. Weights, measures, colours, shapes, vocabulary, food groups, nutrition, knife skills, cookery tricks...there is so much to learn! And it's life changing, exciting stuff!
He's made it, so he'll eat it! It is pretty incredible when a "picky eater" proudly presents his creation, and is so filled with a sense of achievement and ownership that he chows down the lot. It really works! And it's a pleasure to see!
Tips
Leave plenty of time so you're not in a rush.
Relax, smile, don't panic!
Try to consider your objective to be giving your child the opportunity to learn new skills and spend some quality time with them. Drops, spills, messes and mistakes will happen. Smile, reassure them it's OK, give them a kiss and help them sort it out.
Eat it and tell them it was delicious! Tell other people in their hearing it was delicious. DON'T tell them it wasn't delicious! Your child wants to please and impress you. If they feel they have done, they'll try again. If they think they've messed up, they're more likely to feel disheartened and not try again.
If it really can't conceivably be described as delicious, tell them all the great things about it, omiting any mention of it's not-deliciousness. Eg "these carrots are beautifully cut", " you peeled that potato perfectly!", "this dinner has such a strong flavour. Wow!", "I don't think I'm ever going to forget this special dish!" And have a good old grin inside yourself and swallow it down, delighting in the fact your little ones heart is bursting with pride and your job is done!
Our kitchen is quite little so I have a system where everyone stands on a little stool and stays on it, so only I move around the kitchen. This keeps things chaos free and it might work for you too!
Make jobs for the kids if there aren't suitable real ones to do. So, today I cut up some carrots and instead of tipping them into the pot I got a little one to put them in one by one while I did a messy, fiddly job. This kept the little one interested, engaged and out of my way.
Say "yes" when you can. Yes, it's a bit of a drag when they "help" and spill the flour and drop the egg on the floor and when quickly chopping an onion becomes a mammouth task because you have a little one gripping the knife with you. But your good grace and patience will earn great rewards as your child quickly develops new skills and spends some wonderful time with you.
You know, if you're still filled with terror at the idea of approaching an oven with your little cutie, cut yourself some slack. We all have areas that we find difficult. Maybe make a fruit salad together to show a bit of willing and leave anything more adventurous to a few months down the line.
But if you're thinking "well...maybe it wouldn't be THAT bad..." Why not plan for some cooking time in the next few days. I'd love to hear about it if you do!
What are your top cooking with kids tips? What are your favourite recipes?
Check out my Facebook page for some easy recipes to try. https://m.facebook.com/benshambeansprouts
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