The kids cooking craze is hot in my house. Perhaps, it is because as soon as I’m occupied with laundry, grass cutting or phone calling — that is the exact time when kids get hungry. Parental Murphy’s Law; as soon as you are busy – the kids will need something.
Yesterday, Thing 1 volunteered to make lunch. My first thought; groan, sigh, mess in my kitchen, sigh again. Yes, that was one thought – I’m a big thinker! Thing 2 jumped up and down at the idea of kids cooking (always does).
“ok” I said, remembering that I need to let go of that invisible umbilical cord and let them do things on their own. Lunch is not a big deal – it is actually very predictable in this house. The menu is fairly limited so I knew the pitfalls. “Please don’t use a sharp knife for the butter. Take a cheese string rather than cut cheese.” (no sharp knives remember?) “yes, you can bring it outside. Please be careful.” The “be careful” was a prayer to fate against falling, cutting or harming oneself during lunch creation. There’s that umbilical cord tugging again.
Voila. Proud Thing 1 (followed by proud Thing 2) presented homemade kid cooked lunch. A piece of bread, buttered and folded, a slice of summer sausage and a cheese string to be shared between them.
Today, Thing 2 made lunch (with much disaster) but with great pride.
I’m a big supporter in letting kids in the kitchen. It doesn’t always yield great results but it is full of personal experience, learning, choices and instant gratification. Plus, the more I see them accomplish — the easier it is to let go of that cord.
I hope I am as brave as you when the little one gets older. I remember loving to help out in the kitchen and I think it is important to let kids discover and learn by doing everyday things on top of play.