Food is something we have to deal with 20+ times a week and I’m amazed at how many people, even into their later years who have no idea how to cook routinely. Teach them young! I love it.
This is incredible! My two are familiar around the kitchen, but I was never that diligent in teaching them. They are in their upper teens now. Never too late to start, right?!
Absolutely, Erik! Start them cooking dinner one night a week and let it grow from there. BraeTek and I take turns now, so I only cook every other night. Those afternoons I am able to work late on the farm or call it quits early to rest my aching body are a real blessing!
Nothing breaks my heart more than a young adult who has learned no home keeping skills.
I grew up in a large family and our tasks were organized with a Kaper Chart (Scouting tool). We all contributed to running the household daily and were assigned weekly tasks. Jobs were age and schedule appropriate. Yes, there was the requisite whining, but I don’t remember any time we were sent to our room to clean it or punished for not doing our part. As we grew older, we realized that sharing the housework let our parents have one-on-one time with each of us throughout the week.
I work at a Community College, working with the students and have student employees. It seems too many aren’t taught and expected to use these life skills at home. Without these skills they will struggle to be successful. 💔
That's exactly it. Crucial skills that will benefit young people throughout their lives. Give them a solid foundation and a good head start by putting these habits in place while they're still young.
I need to do this more consistently. My son is 14, he is capable of all the things, I need to take it to the next level. For now, and especially for the summer, having him prepare one meal a week is doable. Thank you for the nudge.
Love this. I definitely grew up in the kitchen alongside my mom, but my love of cooking appeared in my mid 20’s once I got my own kitchen. I think she absolutely gave me a solid foundation to work off of, but I look forward to being more intentional with the skills that I’d like to teach them. My first baby is still cooking 🤰🏻 so I have a while I go before I can take action on these steps, but I’ll probably be looking to practice some of these habits when I babysit my friends kids before my own gets here 😋
I loved the list of age appropriate suggestions, that definitely helps a lot. Thank you!
I'm glad your mom invited you into the kitchen. Mine wouldn't let us in her space when she was working, so I entered adulthood with next to nothing as far as kitchen-skills go.
Maybe that's why I've been so adamant about instilling that knowledge in my own kids, lol.
These are such actionable tips, broken down by age. I'd never thought about things that way. My son (my oldest) has always been a very creative cook, he always jumps in and asks how he can help or just whips something up. He can also fix, create, or build anything inside or outside (general contractor). My younger two, not so much. My daughter was visiting recently, and I don't think I remember her spending any time in the kitchen. Then again, I don't particularly enjoy cooking; I can do it, but it's not my thing. My husband does all of our cooking.
50 years ago, leaving for college, I had zero skills in these fields, save for the ability to make breakfast thanks to the Boy Scouts. I learned to do laundry the hard way: mint green underwear and a melted polyester shirt to prove it. So, I learned how to do laundry, clean, and cook on my own. 6 grandchildren all know how to cook, clean, and do laundry and I expect the 4 greatgrands will learn also as they grow up. Different times. My mother never really understood that I was a better cook than my late wife and her mother didn’t understand that I liked doing laundry.
Food is something we have to deal with 20+ times a week and I’m amazed at how many people, even into their later years who have no idea how to cook routinely. Teach them young! I love it.
This is incredible! My two are familiar around the kitchen, but I was never that diligent in teaching them. They are in their upper teens now. Never too late to start, right?!
And cast iron pan for the win!!!
Absolutely, Erik! Start them cooking dinner one night a week and let it grow from there. BraeTek and I take turns now, so I only cook every other night. Those afternoons I am able to work late on the farm or call it quits early to rest my aching body are a real blessing!
Outstanding!
Nothing breaks my heart more than a young adult who has learned no home keeping skills.
I grew up in a large family and our tasks were organized with a Kaper Chart (Scouting tool). We all contributed to running the household daily and were assigned weekly tasks. Jobs were age and schedule appropriate. Yes, there was the requisite whining, but I don’t remember any time we were sent to our room to clean it or punished for not doing our part. As we grew older, we realized that sharing the housework let our parents have one-on-one time with each of us throughout the week.
I work at a Community College, working with the students and have student employees. It seems too many aren’t taught and expected to use these life skills at home. Without these skills they will struggle to be successful. 💔
That's exactly it. Crucial skills that will benefit young people throughout their lives. Give them a solid foundation and a good head start by putting these habits in place while they're still young.
I need to do this more consistently. My son is 14, he is capable of all the things, I need to take it to the next level. For now, and especially for the summer, having him prepare one meal a week is doable. Thank you for the nudge.
You're very welcome, Mary! You got this!!
Love this. I definitely grew up in the kitchen alongside my mom, but my love of cooking appeared in my mid 20’s once I got my own kitchen. I think she absolutely gave me a solid foundation to work off of, but I look forward to being more intentional with the skills that I’d like to teach them. My first baby is still cooking 🤰🏻 so I have a while I go before I can take action on these steps, but I’ll probably be looking to practice some of these habits when I babysit my friends kids before my own gets here 😋
I loved the list of age appropriate suggestions, that definitely helps a lot. Thank you!
Thank you very much, Megan!
I'm glad your mom invited you into the kitchen. Mine wouldn't let us in her space when she was working, so I entered adulthood with next to nothing as far as kitchen-skills go.
Maybe that's why I've been so adamant about instilling that knowledge in my own kids, lol.
That’s totally fair! We always want better than we had for our kids!
I will say, my mom stayed at home with us for the majority of our younger years, so I’m sure it will look quite different in how we implement it.
When I had those moments with my mom, timelines were a bit more lax then what I imagine they will be since my husband and I both work ( I wfh )
I love that your son likes the d&d cookbook! My husband and I hard huge into d&d and it’s been on our list for a long time 🥰.
Sending love!
These are such actionable tips, broken down by age. I'd never thought about things that way. My son (my oldest) has always been a very creative cook, he always jumps in and asks how he can help or just whips something up. He can also fix, create, or build anything inside or outside (general contractor). My younger two, not so much. My daughter was visiting recently, and I don't think I remember her spending any time in the kitchen. Then again, I don't particularly enjoy cooking; I can do it, but it's not my thing. My husband does all of our cooking.
50 years ago, leaving for college, I had zero skills in these fields, save for the ability to make breakfast thanks to the Boy Scouts. I learned to do laundry the hard way: mint green underwear and a melted polyester shirt to prove it. So, I learned how to do laundry, clean, and cook on my own. 6 grandchildren all know how to cook, clean, and do laundry and I expect the 4 greatgrands will learn also as they grow up. Different times. My mother never really understood that I was a better cook than my late wife and her mother didn’t understand that I liked doing laundry.