In this modern age of social media, video games, TV programs, and movies dominating every waking moment of your kid’s life, it can seem tricky to spend some alone time together without having a screen between you. Cooking with your children is a great way for you to break the screen cycle.
Try cooking with their favorite music playing in the background and preparing something that they enjoy eating. The easiest way to lure them in is by cooking something sweet together first that will give them the added treat of licking the mixing bowl when they’re finished. Cooking with your children is a great way to get them to open up to you and talk about things that may be bothering them at school because they are in a relaxed setting.
Reduce your stress levels
Now I know what you are thinking. There’s nothing more stressful then having your children help you in the kitchen all the while trying to keep them away from the spitting oil and from touching the hot oven door. I must say if you are just starting out cooking with your kids, then it is probably not the best idea to make your first session one where you must prepare a fancy 3-course meal for the in-laws.
A great way to get started is with a simple meal at a time where there’s zero pressure, such as on a Sunday morning or a Saturday afternoon. You can begin by cooking something easy that requires mostly adding ingredients, such as a one-pot lunch or even a dessert or fruit salad. Seeing your children’s creativity in the kitchen and having the opportunity to converse and laugh with them is just what you need at the end of a stressful week at the office.
Sharpen their skills
Not only is cooking a fantastic way to help you build on your relationship with your kids, but doing so also provides you with the perfect opportunity to teach them something too. If your children are younger, cooking with them will give them the chance to practice measuring ingredients and reading big numbers. If you will be cooking with slightly older children or teenagers, then it will give them the chance to hone in on their cooking skills and life skills. Doing so could also inspire them career-wise in the future, or minimally they will know their way around the kitchen when they go to college.
Travel the world from your kitchen
Perhaps your budget isn’t quite stretching at the moment for that around the world backpacking tour with your wife and kids, but you can make the most of your time in the kitchen with the kids to teach them about foods from different countries. Why not try a different themed dinner every weekend such as Mexican, Italian, and Indian cuisine that will help your kids to become better acquainted with mother earth from the comfort of your kitchen.
As you can see, there are so many great reasons for you to get cooking with your children. Give it a whirl this weekend and see just how cooking with your kids helps you to become a close-knit family and also helps you to reduce your stress while teaching your children a thing or two along the way.
Author Bio
Jeremy grew up learning how to cook from his parents as well as working in a high-volume catering operation while in college. He now enjoys spending time with his family writing for his blog Ktchndad.