Here are the five reasons I don't want my kids to come in the kitchen to help me cook dinner:
1. They Slow Me Down
Like most families, our lives our hectic. I spend the afternoons helping with homework, taking the kids to soccer practice, dance lessons, music classes, and on and on and on. While I could take the easy way out and go through the drive-thru at my local fast food joint, we have a family meal at the dinner table every night. As the kids get older, this gets harder because their schedules are so full, but so far we've managed. When the kids come in the kitchen to help cook dinner, they really slow the process down. Some nights we don't get to eat until 7:30 anyway, and if I let the kids help cook, we would be eating even later. When I can cook alone, I get dinner on the table much faster.
2. The Kitchen Is A Dangerous Place
Sharp knives, scalding burners, heavy pots full of boiling water, the kitchen is full of all sorts of ways for kids to get hurt. Yes, I'm aware that kids need to learn about these things, but I'll save the lessons for when I have time to teach them (like a weekend when we're not in such a rush.)
3. They Still Won't Eat
People have told me countless times, "If you include the kids in cooking, they'll eat what they make. To that I say, "WRONG!" Believe me, I've tried. Like most kids, mine can be picky eaters. Does that mean we eat chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese nightly? Absolutely not. I really enjoy cooking and trying new recipes, so we do not have a set meal rotation. Do my kids always eat what I put in front of them? No. But will they eat it if they prepare it? No.
4. Kids Are Little Bundles Of Germs
No matter how diligent you are about hand washing and cleanliness in general, kids are little bundles of germs. When my kids are allowed to come help me in the kitchen, we wash our before we begin and after we touch something that requires it. When I'm busy cooking, I can't have my eyes on the kids constantly. I know the minute I turn to stir the pan of sauteeing vegetables, my son is going to stick his finger up his nose!
5. Precious Mommy Alone Time
I've already stated that I love my kids. But I haven't mentioned that there are four of them under the age of 10. They keep my VERY busy. The 30 minutes it takes me to cook dinner every night is my only alone time. I'm much more likely to cook with love if I'm allowed to cook in peace.
It's not that I don't want my kids to learn to cook. I just want to save those lessons for when I have time to teach them properly. We are to busy for me to give cooking lessons on the weekdays. I like to use weekends and holidays to teach my kids about cooking. It's so much nicer to do it when we're all relaxed and unhurried.
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