No, I’m not going to share with you tips on how to cook with kids in the kitchen or include your kids in the kitchen to make it more fun. Why? Because, honestly, for a control freak like me, having them “help” me in the kitchen is such a nerve racking thing. That’s not to say that I have never had them in there “helping”, I have, the difference is I control the process so much that I think even they don’t find it enjoyable. Or at least I hope they don’t so that they’ll stay clear of the kitchen.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for having kids explore the joys of cooking, learning through cooking and the like, just not at my expense. I love cooking and baking. Most times, I treat it as an escape from reality. Sounds weird, but true. This is the time when I get to be by myself, in the kitchen, without any interruptions because the kids know that if they do interrupt then there won’t be any food for dinner or treats to snack on. So how do they “help” out during the times they ARE allowed to pitch in? They get to get the ingredients and necessary equipment out, they get to scoop the ingredients and add it into the bowl, and even then, only occasionally. I normally would scoop it for them and they would get to plonk it into the bowl when I tell them to. They do get to stir the contents, except for when I’m making muffins. I just have to get it right and if they over-mix the ingredients the muffins would turn out tough. See, told you I was a control freak. If there’s kneading to be done, they would; if I was in the mood, get to roll out the dough. It’s not so much that I hate them making a mess…ok I lied, I do. I hate cleaning up, let alone mess that wasn’t created by me. I guess it’s more because they would fight or start saying things like, “but he/she got a turn”, even though they each did. And I guess it’s also because when I was a young girl, my paternal grandmother, whom at that time was taking care of me, would only ever give me chores in the kitchen that nobody would want to do. Chores like peeling the potatoes and carrots, pulling the tails off the bean shoots (yes, I’m not kidding) or taking the “poo” out of the heads of dried anchovies. Each time I asked to help with the more interesting parts of cooking, say for instance, stirring, or chopping, or cracking an egg, I would be greeted with this line, “You can help and learn by watching, that’s how I learned, I just watched“. I did believe what she said then, now, I know why. It was probably seen as more of a hindrance than help.
So, that’s why it’s always with a heavy heart that I say yes to my kids, each time they say they’d like to help. Because I don’t want them to feel rejected, or useless. I have to let down my guard and let them into my space – the kitchen. With great control though. This Sunday, they have planned to serve me breakfast in bed and a cake! Eeek! I told them to just buy a premix from the supermarket. Quick and easy – and I sure hope will not a) burn down my kitchen and b)leave a huge mess that I have to clean it up afterwards.
What about you? Do you let your kids help out in the kitchen? What sort of chores would you let them help you with while cooking or baking? Have you got any tips on making things easier with them in there?
