Whole Family Cook Night

By Monica Resinger

Want help cooking meals? How about quality time with your family? Or cooking lessons for the kids? If you answered yes to any of these, read on!

Helping out in the kitchen.
I used to cringe at the thought of the kids helping me prepare meals because it was easier for me to focus on what I had to do when I was cooking by myself. But there were certain meals that everyone would just come in and do what they knew to do. Now, I'm glad they did because I realized that them helping is to my advantage.

One of these meals is burritos. My twelve year old son will cook the ground beef, my eight year old daughter will grate the cheese, my husband will make the salsa and I'll heat the refried beans and tortillas. The other meal we do this with is Nachos.

The reason this started is because I always request that my husband make his salsa with each of these meals. The kids asked if they could do something, and I figured "Why not?" since hubby was in there anyway. So I showed the kids what they could do, and now they do these same jobs each time we have these meals. Each time it gets more routine and therefore less problems (and less work for me).

Why would you want them to help?
Recently I have been thinking that I will introduce other meals because I have found it is much easier on me these nights. But there are other more important reasons.

One is that the kids are getting cooking lessons which will be a great skill to have once they are out on their own. It also gives the kids something to do when they are "bored." Finally, the best benefit is that this is quality time for the whole family. We talk and joke while preparing the meal and it turns out to be a nice event each time.

Don't get me wrong, there are times the kids have their squabbles, but I quickly remind them that if they don't follow the rules, they have to leave the kitchen. This usually always works because they don't want to be left out of the fun.

Helpful tips
Here are some tips for making these evenings more pleasant:

• I have laid the law down that there will be no squabbles at this time because we are cooking and we have to focus on what we are doing for safety's sake. If there are any squabbles, the one starting it has to leave the kitchen if they don't stop after the first reminder.
• Give each child (and your spouse if they are willing) an assigned task (or tasks) for the meal. One can open cans, one can get the ingredients out, one can grate cheese, etc.... Try to match the tasks with the age of the child. Obviously cooking and cutting should be left to older children, while younger children can get needed ingredients out. Be sure to supervise if you are letting your child cook or cut - only you know if your child is ready for these tasks.
• Try to be patient. As they are learning, the meal preparation will take a little longer, but it will be worth the effort in the long run. After they know how to do it, it will actually save you time.
• Teach them to wash their hands before helping in the kitchen.
• Don't let them get away with just the fun stuff; have them help set the table and clean up also.
• Start with simple meals to begin with; this will help everything run smoother.
• Let them know ahead of time that they won't be helping every night. Tell them, "We'll start with once a week for now," or whatever works for you. It's probably best that you introduce it slow -- like once a week -- for both your sakes.

I hope you'll take the time to let your children help you in the kitchen. It has helped me as much as it has helped them.

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Links, information and more for you

Someone's in the Kitchen With Mommy : More Than 100 Easy Recipes and Fun Crafts for Parents and Kids
Kids in the Kitchen : 100 Delicious, Fun & Healthy Recipes to Cook & Bake
Dinner Ideas Wordsearch
Directory of family articles
Directory of all articles

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About the author: Monica Resinger is editor/founder of Creative Home Newsletter; a free, weekly newsletter with articles and tips on organizing, cooking, cleaning, decorating and more. To get this free newsletter, send a blank e-mail to: CreativeHome-subscribe@egroups.com This article is © 2000, Monica Resinger.