Dinner Helpers

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

04 Mar 2007 06:29 PM

We started something new with the boys a couple of weeks ago. They alternate being "dinner helper". In the past they've all spent hours on the kitchen, even sitting on the counters stirring mixes or adding in things like sugar or flour that I'd already measured. They loved helping. They loved cooking.

But as they have got older they show up less in the kitchen. So now, twice a week, they each have a turn of being in the kitchen with me. It's nice to have one on one time with my children. That's particularly hard to do with twins. It's fun to be able to listen to their stories without their brother's interrupting.

So what does the "dinner helper" do? They are prep cook, chef's assistant, and table setter - all in one. They may grate cheese, peel carrots, find things for me in the pantry, tear lettuce, get out bowls or pans, measure ingredients, etc. At 13, my oldest can chop things without supervision. He's had a lot of training. Don't just hand a kid a knife without some instruction and supervision on using it. He's actually capable of making a whole dinner, but making my life easier was only a small portion of why I started "dinner helper" night. They are all growing up so fast. Mainly, I just wanted extra time with them.

The extra time is nice. They seem to appreciate the work that goes into meals more. And I also try to let them have a say in the dinner. Should we make green beans, or carrots? Should we make brown sugar carrots, or just carrot sticks? And sure, there are lots of lessons going on here. They are learning about meal preparation, cooking, slicing, what a balanced meal tastes like, which things take careful measuring and what can be thrown together, and much more. I'm glad of all that. But mainly, it's nice to have their company and get to know them a little better as I pass on some cooking wisdom.

They complain about other chores, but I've notice they don't complain about this one. Time to start dinner.

Also See:

Cooking with Kids

Cooking With Your Kids

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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