Getting the family together to make dinner might seem like a big hassle, but i've got ten reasons why cooking with your kids just might be some of the most rewarding time you spend all week.
1. It's a great way to spend some time together.
A family's got to eat, right? Dinnertime doesn't have to start with the plates hitting the table. Get the whole family involved in the preparation. Not only will it divvy up the workload and get kids some supervised hands-on experience -- it'll also give you all a chance to catch up on each others' busy lives.
2. It's fun to watch them discover new flavors.
They may gravitate toward chicken fingers and sweet treats right now, but there's a whole world of tastes just waiting to be discovered. It doesn't have to be a major production -- just agree to have the whole family try one new thing each time you make a major grocery store run. It might be a spice you've never seen before, or even just a funny-colored heirloom tomato. They might not all be winners, but you just might find a new family favorite.
3. It will boost their confidence.
Kids feel more and more empowered with every new skill set they tackle, and there are few more useful than learning how to feed one's self. If they know they don't have to wait for Mom to have a free second to fix them a snack, there's a good chance they'll skip the chips and do some experimenting with their newfound talents. It may not be gourmet, but it'll taste all the better for their having made it themselves.
4. These skills last a lifetime.
They're small fries now, but eventually, they're going to grow up and have to fend for themselves. While all the other kids in their dorm are scrounging up change for pizza, your kid will be whipping up a healthy, hearty batch of stew or a pasta primavera for all of his or her roomies. Hello, instant popularity!
5. Healthy eating begins at home.
With all the candy, snack, and fast food advertising out there, it's not as if kids are getting much outside encouragement to eat their veggies. It's up to you to show them why it's much cooler to reach for a carrot than for a cookie.
6. It's great to have a family ritual.
It might seem like the world is stacked against families just trying to spend a little time together. Coordinate your calendars, switch off your cellphones, and designate a night of the week for a no-interruption family dinner. It doesn't matter if it's Taco Tuesday or Spaghetti Saturday -- just so long as everyone pitches in and sits down together. They might even carry on the tradition with their own kids someday.
7. They'll feel like they're contributing.
Even if they've just stirred the pot or snapped the beans, the pickiest family members will be much more eager to try every dish on the table if they've had a hand in the making. No matter if it's an ingredient they'd usually shy away from, there's no way they'll resist sampling their own handiwork.
8. You're making new memories.
Remember the time you spent in the kitchen, chatting with your mom, dad or grandparents while you cooked up an elaborate weekend meal? Whether or not you have those fond remembrances, don't you want your kids to? For the rest of their lives, when they smell your signature marinara sauce, or a fresh batch of your classic chocolate cookies, they'll be thinking of you, and those warm, special times together.
9. You'll keep family history alive.
They'll want the same for their children. So much of family culture and identity is tied to food traditions, and as older generations pass on, it's up to the younger ones to pick up the whisk. Celebrity chefs and cooking shows come and go, but Grandma's buttermilk biscuits and Uncle Steve's old-country goulash will stand the test of time.
10. You just might get a nice surprise.
Yes, this is all about arming your kids with everything they need for a happy, healthy culinary life, but the more they learn, the better your chances are of waking up to a birthday breakfast in bed, or a surprise Sunday lasagna dinner -- made with lots of love.
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