At what age do you let kids loose in the kitchen?

pigpen

Never.. they make far too much mess and I don't have time or energy to clear that up.

They are taught to make tea/coffee at about 10/11.. or once they can safely reach the kettle! but cooking wise.. never.


they do get their own cereal, toast and sandwiches, even the 3 year old!

meritaten

pigpen wrote: »

Never.. they make far too much mess and I don't have time or energy to clear that up.
They are taught to make tea/coffee at about 10/11.. or once they can safely reach the kettle! but cooking wise.. never.


they do get their own cereal, toast and sandwiches, even the 3 year old!

How sad - to deny the kids the joy of learning to cook. and part of learning to cook is learning to clear up afterwards. its an important life skill - and what would they do if anything happened to you? Starve?


I have been teaching my grandkids to cook since they could stir in the mixing bowl. last Sunday, oldest grandtwin made Sunday lunch - apart from putting things in and out of the oven which I did. She prepped the veg and seasoned it, she turned the gas burners on at the right times (after checking with me it was ok), she made the gravy, She is eleven. It was as good as I could make.

dingdongsaving

Along with so many on here...as soon as they're interested.

My son's been choosing, washing an chucking veggies in the soup maker for years and loves any chopping/prepping & mixing as well as stirring/checking once things are cooking on the hob or in the oven. He's not confident to take things out of the oven, so I got a small stone slab (that's light) and he's now getting used to the feel of using oven mitts carefully.

I know he probably won't want to do this much forever, but I had the choice of cooking meals when I got home from school from about 15 years old onwards for £1 a day & I remember thinking I was quids in with £5 a week pocket money during term time! (mum was a teacher)

I now know how wonderful it must have been for her to come home to a meal that was ready (or almost ready) each night after work, and I've got wonderful memories of family meals at the table at a reasonable hour because of the opportunity! :T

WelshKitty85

I have been inspired to let my children do more in the kitchen. My 9 yo daughter made tonight's dinner. It was a simple pasta bake, so she just had to add pasta, sauce and water to a dish, then grate cheese for the top, but she was thrilled that she had made it (I put it in and out of the oven myself). I also let her and ds (6yo) make their sandwiches and pack their own lunches for tomorrow. I don't know why I haven't let them do their lunches sooner as they are both perfectly capable and it's one less thing for me to do!

carlamarie_2

Thanks for all the replies, it's refreshing to see that other parents have the same views and actions as me in regards to helping their kids grow into capable adults.

Now I must go and wake them up, I'm dying for coffee. Which one of them shall I get to make it?!:rotfl:

flipper_72

DD made chapattis to go with dinner last night, and helped with the main bit. It was nice because we get to chat as well, at dinner it is all 4 of us so 1 to 1 is a bit different. I still cooked the chapattis but the frying pan is soo hot i didn't want that risk.
I generally make packed lunch before the kids get up, but I might let them start doing their own in the evenings and have 10 minutes extra in bed

pigpen

meritaten wrote: »

How sad - to deny the kids the joy of learning to cook. and part of learning to cook is learning to clear up afterwards. its an important life skill - and what would they do if anything happened to you? Starve? .

not really.. they aren't interested so why would I force them to do it any more than I would force them to exercise or sing or anything else.. it is a necessary chore not an enjoyable activity. Just because some people like it doesn't mean everyone does.

The 2 who have left home are yet to starve to death and I didn't starve either.

There is no joy in cooking.. it is one of the things I absolutely hate doing.. cooking, emptying the cat litter and picking up toys.. loathe them. Sadly all are necessary tasks in here.

pigpen

carlamarie wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, it's refreshing to see that other parents have the same views and actions as me in regards to helping their kids grow into capable adults.

don't count on that.. as a small person I loved ironing and housework.. now I absolutely hate it. Things are much less fun when it is a daily task x3 or more.

carlamarie_2

pigpen wrote: »

don't count on that.. as a small person I loved ironing and housework.. now I absolutely hate it. Things are much less fun when it is a daily task x3 or more.

It may not be fun for my kids when they're adults, in fact they may choose to delegate, hire a cleaner or live in squalor but they will certainly be capable of doing these everyday, basic tasks

Rummer

I think children should be involved in cooking and other home activities from a very early age, however that age can often be child dependant. My DS is 18 months and although not ready to help with the cooking (he would eat it all) he likes helping me do lots of little jobs around the house.