Becca's Cooking

Allowing Children to Cook Alone

Next week, I begin teaching summer school. Becca and her older sister will be at home all day, and will have to make their own lunch. Because Becca and her sister have learned what I expect them to eat for their midday meals, they know what to make. However, kitchen rules are obviously needed in my absence. The girls will be limited by what they can use when making their lunches. The stove and oven are clearly off-limits, as are the food processor, microwave, and anything sharper than a butter knife. I am, of course, expecting to go through much peanut butter, jelly, bologna and cheese before the summer is over. Becca will, undoubtedly, be looking for me to arrive home each day to try out her latest recipe idea, since she is constantly looking through the cookbooks for them. Somehow, I think I may also be greeted by a dishwashing nightmare on my arrival home as well.

Be sure any time you allow your children to take over the kitchen that they know the rules whether you are there or not. By enforcing the rules when you are there to monitor them, you can be confident that they will be followed when you are not.

posted by DarBecca @ 7:56 AM