My boys love to help out around the house! I know that this is not going to last forever so I’m trying to take advantage of it now. They help cleaning the house during the week. They fight about who gets to vacuum their room each night. They help with trash and recycling and they even help with laundry! But the one thing that I was not letting them help with is the cooking.
I had all the typical excuses for not wanting them to help. We have a really small kitchen and with both of them in their with me it would take forever to finish. They would make a big mess that I would later have to clean up. It was just easier to cook the meals while they played outside or in their room. One day I decided to through caution to the wind and invited the boys to help make breakfast.
I have to say that it was a fun and pleasant experience! They listened and worked well together. I laughed at my 4 four old trying to fish an egg shell out of the bowl. My oldest son stepped in to help his little brother when we was afraid to scramble the eggs. And best of all no one was whining about when breakfast would be ready.
We had such a fun time in the kitchen that I have made “home economics” a regular part of our week. My boys are learning how to take care of home, cut coupons, buy groceries and do the laundry. All of these life skills are important for them because I don’t plan to do all this for them for the rest of my life. I want my boys to be able to take care of themselves when they move out on their own. And most importantly I want them to be about to take care of their futures wives and families.
How often do you let your kids in the kitchen? What else do you do as “home economics”?
LaToya is a single, homeschooling mom of two bouncing boys. She lives for the quiet moments of the day which are few and far between with two rambunctious young men running around the house. She strives each day to life fully for God and although she often falls short she is determined to stay the course. She wants to encourage women to follow God’s direction for their lives no matter the circumstances. You can keep up with LaToya on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus.
I always taught my kids to make toast the day they turned 3. When my youngest turned 3 it was a very cold windy day. Our kitchen had a large north window and was very cold. Jess was a great cook and loved to make his own toast. Then one day in the sweltering heat of the summer, I noticed him rubbing his hands over the toaster. I asked why he did that. “Well, Mom” he replied in his most respectful ‘How could you be so stupid’ voice, “that’s how you make toast!”
It is important for all children to learn these basic things. I once lived in an apartment above a man who had to travel over 100 miles every week to have his momma wash his clothes. He thought doing dishes in black water was OK as long as it was hot and once when he was gone for 3 days his refrigerator went out. It was during the summer. He went ahead and ate anything that “didn’t smell to bad”. Then he wondered why his stomach was upset. I determined right there and then that if I ever had boys, I would make sure they knew how to cook and clean.
Sue that is funny and awful at the same time! 100 miles to get mom to do laundry, that will NEVER be my boys. I would send them right back home 🙂
I love this! Being a mom of boys is such a huge responsibility and it is always great to find ways to include them and teach them to take care of themselves and their future family. Friday’s are home ec days for us, where we bust out some serious baking and cooking, along with other tasks. They have daily chores, but it seems to work best for me to share the kitchen one day a week, then the rest of the week I can work in peace. Thanks for sharing!! You can catch up with me at http://perceptionsby1.wordpress.com
Thank you Regina! Yes giving them one day to be in the kitchen is so helpful. My oldest always says “Mom if you never let me cook how am I supposed to learn?” when I tell him he can’t help, LOL