Parenting is a big job.  Along with everything else in life, we’re supposed to teach our kids how to be responsible and have good life skills.  That’s no easy task.  One program that we’ve tried and had success with is having our kids cook dinner.  Each child gets to cook a dinner once a week, start to finish, and clean up.  Every week.   It is generally a set night, but can fluctuate, depending on homework, music, and sports.  The important thing is the consistency.

Getting kids to prepare meals and clean-up after themselves doesn’t happen overnight.  This started years ago with my kids “helping” me in the kitchen.  (Picture air-quotes being used there around the helping.)  While I cooked, my assistants would help chop, measure, stir, taste or pour.  After those skills were mastered, around age 8, you got to make Saturday lunch.  Simple lunches are best to start with here.  By the sixth grade, or age 11, you’re promoted and assigned a regular evening to cook.

I usually do the meal planning.  If my kids want to make something special, they need to give me advance notice.  They also get to go to the grocery store with me.  This works out well and about half the time, the kids just make whatever I have scheduled.  My kids seem more interested in preparing the meal when it is something they want to eat.  Sometimes, I do have to help when a new recipe is being tried or the big chef’s knife comes out.  After dinner, we all help clear the table and the child who cooked cleans up.  Again, sometimes help is needed.  Lowering of expectations is helpful.

The bottom line here is I want my kids to be prepared to go out into the world with skills to clothe, feed, and care for themselves.  Cooking and cleaning are important skills that kids need to learn and if I can enjoy a glass of wine and a good book while that is being done, all the better.

Want to see what my two chefs have served for dinner during the past year?  Take a peek at some of their yummy dishes…it’ll make you hungry!

Strata with veggies

Egg in a basket

Chicken, brown rice, greens

Homemade mac & cheese with tomato slices

Salmon, potatoes & greens

Chicken "sandwich" & salad

Breakfast burrito

Whole grains and veggies

BLTs with avocado (homegrown tomatoes)

BLTs with avocado

Pork, roasted red peppers & pasta

Chicken, pasta & roasted cauliflower

Grilled cheese & pesto sandwiches

French onion soup

Pizza (homemade dough!) with spinach, mushroom & red sauce

Do your kids cook at your house?  Is it more work for you?

Related Links:
Three time tested family rules
Teenager times
Technology free Sundays

Sara Tetreault

Sara Tetreault writes and speaks about living well on less with thoughtful spending, smart use of resources, and efficient use of time. Sara loves good food, travel, and cashmere. With home swapping, cooking at home, and buying items second-hand, she hopes to inspire you with her stylishly frugal ways. Sara keeps a home, one husband, two children, and three chickens in her backyard.

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