For many, the mere thought of cooking as a family brings stress and uncontrollable messes; but for me the kitchen is the heart of the home, it is where we prepare the food that gives us energy and brings us together to the table. My son, who recently turned 5 years old has been exposed to what happens in the heart of our home from an early age; I remember being cooking and having him close to me in his highchair so I could keep an eye on him.

Although memory may be playing tricks on me, I think the very first time I exposed him to actually cooking a meal he was about a year and a half and, used to help me get the pancakes ready for Sunday morning’s breakfast. We also make cakes and cookies and he even broke an entire eggs carton all over the floor because he wanted to cook. Kitchen was a mess!

Over time I learned to involve him in that housework so many are afraid and don’t think is compatible with children, so here I bring you some tips that may help you achieve cooking as a family.

Start at the beginning

Preparing food actually begins in the supermarket, so the best way to get everybody cooking as a family, is involving its members in the selection of the weekly menu, go grocery shopping and of course to put things away once you get home.

Think outside the pot

Making breakfast, lunch or dinner can be as simple as getting ham and cheese out of the fridge and putting them in between two slices of bread, add fruit and yogurt as sides and sit down to eat. Although it may seem very basic, including your kids can give them a great life lesson for independence. Cooking does not always mean having to involve pots over the stove that need to be watched for hours.

Organize your ingredients

When inviting the kids to the kitchen, I suggest you have all the ingredients on hand, and if possible, measured and cut. Also, make sure there is a sink close by where you are having them put things together, that way they can easily wash their hands when needed and you pay your full attention to them.

Teamwork

I am lucky to have a husband who is not afraid of the kitchen, so sometimes he cooks, while I wash the dishes and our son helps to set the table. Other days he is responsible for the main dish and I am in charge or the salad so we split the work and it does not seem so overwhelming.

Make it fun

Do not think that children will accompany you from start to finish, so leave the job of kneading, stirring, or even cracking eggs for them, that way you’ll make cooking a pleasant and fun activity. At home for example my son loves to make meatballs because he can get his hands on the ground beef and ‘play’ while he mixes all the ingredients, he also likes to stir and bake, so you just have to find what your little ones like.

Over the years I've noticed that involving my son in the kitchen has brought great benefits. He is much more independent, open to trying new flavors and I'm giving him the necessary tools for when he is an adult to lean towards cooking instead of processed, frozen or junk food.

Are you open to cooking as a family?