Rachael Ray wants your 8-year-old to cook you dinner

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  Posted by stop Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:46am PDT

  That has some truth.....LOL

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  Posted by crystal Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:51am PDT

  I was cooking at 9. everyday. so I believe it's good to have your kids learn to cook at a young age. it makes them independent and able to take care of themselves when they move out

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  Posted by Kari Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:50pm PDT

  My son has been "cooking with me" since he was about 2 (or maybe even younger) He loves to help cook and he loves to gooble up what he helped make.

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  Posted by HotCrossBuns Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:05am PDT

  I wasn't allowed to do anything in the kitchen unless it was pour cereal or make a sandwhich. And today I'm a dunce in the kitchen. I try, but there have been nights when even the cats roll their eyes at the leftovers.

  My oldest daughter, however, has a passion for cooking. She's 9 she has been picking one dinner recipe a week and cooking it for us.

  Allowing her to be in the kitchen and chop the veggies (which I take her to the grocery to pick out herself), sautee the meats, and handle the oven has given her life skills that I didn't even have until I was an adult living on my own. It's been a great bonding experience for us, too.

  My youngest also likes to help me make turkey meatballs, but I'm not sure if it's for the culinary experience or because it's the only time he's able to giggle out the words "turkey balls" without getting in trouble !

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  Posted by Mariella Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:02am PDT

  I've been cooking since I cna remember, it's the most amazing thing. Now I can prepare everything from a simple cookie to sushi, crepes, etc and everything from scratch. I'm not a picky eater. No doubt my kids, will be able to help me in the kitchen anytime. Fodd is a very important part of life at all ages, and with adult supervision, why shouldn't the children help in the kitchen there's always something they can do or help you with.

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  Posted by Laura Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:25am PDT

  My wonderful nephew has been helping in the garden starting at age 3. He is now 6 and put in his own garden this summer. He can go out a pick things for supper and always bring in the ripest produce. He also invents 'recipes'. I won't always eat his creations, Tuna and marshmellows. But he will eat any vegetable even brussel sprouts.

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  Posted by Charlene Prince Birkeland, Shine staff Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:49am PDT

  My mom and grandmother let met start cooking and baking when I was really young (I want to say 5) and I think that is what helped foster my love of food and cooking. My oldest son (now 6) started helping me in the kitchen when he was 3 and he still loves to be a little chef. He also has a very mature palette, which is awesome. It's a great way to spend time together and also makes eating out more fun because he's more willing to test out foods since he knows how hard it is to put a meal together.

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  Posted by PiNk Chick Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:20pm PDT

  My son is 12 and he has been cooking since 11. I didnt allow him in the kitchen because he would play around more than cook. He would make more mess than anything. Which is common but he did it on pupose and laughed about the whole issue. Now he knows the whole concept of cooking and preparing the meal. He cooks anything from Pork Chops to Spagetti!

  He learned from me so, he loves it!

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  Posted by Ashley Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:54am PDT

  She's right about having your kids help cook dinner. I've got a 6 & 10 year old that I watch every weekend for my friends. They were both extremly pick eaters when I first meet them. Now the 9 year old will eat/try anything atleast 3 times. But the 6 year old till up about 6 months ago would old eat corn dogs and pizza. Now that she is allowed to help in the kitchen, she will atleast try (one bite usually) the food, and the house rule is you have to atleast try it befor you get something else (usually cereal). But I make cooking a big fun event, both the girls have special aprons with "Diva in training" on them with thier names. It's gotten to the point where the youngest will wake up her dad, wearing the apron with a spatula in hand saying "Pancakes please" its adorable.

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  Posted by DR Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:39am PDT

  I have always been involved with cooking. My two siblings never developed an interest, and --surprise! -- neither of them can cook now to save their lives. My sister actually put nutmeg in some spaghetti one time, and let me just tell you ... BARF.

  My mom actually let me cook, under close supervision, when I was about 5 years old. I called it "dough," and it was basically bland biscuit dough (flour, milk, an egg). But I mixed it up and baked it myself. I think it was actually very empowering to have that kind of knowledge at such a young age.

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