“Mom, can I bake something?” my eight-year-old daughter, Mia, asked eagerly as she entered the kitchen.
Of course, she wanted to bake something right after I had spent two hours preparing, cooking, serving, and cleaning up from a dinner that involved six different dishes for our family of five. I exhaled deeply.
“Not right now, honey. I just finished cleaning, and it’ll create too much of a mess.”
As if she had anticipated my response, she quietly walked away, likely to watch yet another episode of her favorite show on Disney Channel.
Reflecting on it, I’m slightly embarrassed by how often this scenario played out. I do enjoy cooking and baking, and I usually let Mia help with simple tasks like gathering ingredients, pouring, and mixing. However, I was hesitant to allow her to crack eggs, fearing shell fragments would end up in the batter. The stove and oven were off-limits because I worried she might burn herself. Often, I would simply say, “I don’t need help at the moment, but you can taste-test when it’s done.”
Then, Everything Changed
Then, one rainy evening, everything changed.
I walked into the living room to find Mia engrossed in a show on the Food Network called “Chopped Junior.” I sat down beside her, and for the next twenty minutes, I was captivated as I watched kids her age skillfully navigate the kitchen, far surpassing many adults I knew.
These young chefs expertly chopped vegetables with sharp knives, sautéed, boiled, and even made a roux. What on earth is a roux? I marveled at how these children could master such skills. It hit me like a lightning bolt: they could do all those things because someone, at some point, told them “YES.”
In that moment, I pledged to conduct an experiment. From that day forward, every time Mia asked to help in the kitchen, I would say “yes.”
- “Mom, can I bake cookies?” Yes.
- “Mom, can I scramble eggs?” Yes.
- “Mom, can I make mac and cheese?” Yes.
- “Mom, can I whip up a quesadilla?” Yes.
- “Mom, can I create my own frosting?” Ugh. Yes.
And so it began. I won’t sugarcoat it—this was an incredibly messy and time-consuming venture. Initially, she required a lot of guidance, learning how to operate the oven, the stovetop, and the timers. My countertops often felt permanently sticky, and the sink was constantly overflowing with bowls, pots, and pans.
Yet, I found that I rarely needed to explain things more than once. The more I encouraged her, the more she wanted to try new things. Soon enough, Mia was browsing recipes online and following them independently. I became more of an observer, watching her confidence and skills blossom.
A Year Later
Fast forward a year later, and I can confidently say this was one of the best parenting decisions I have ever made. With children aged 18, 15, and 9, I’ve made countless choices over the years, but this one stands out.
Mia can now whip up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert if needed. She can crack an egg with one hand (something I still struggle with) and sauté vegetables like a pro. Her homemade chocolate cupcakes are the best I’ve ever tasted.
These skills and the confidence they instilled in her are invaluable life lessons. And all the spilled milk, broken eggs, and messy kitchens were worth it.
I encourage fellow parents to pause and reconsider when your child asks to engage in activities that may lead to learning new skills. The initial time and energy invested can lead to significant rewards down the line. Just yesterday, I needed to prepare 24 cupcakes for a potluck, and I was able to focus on writing this article because Mia was fully capable of managing the baking herself. If I’m lucky, she might even let me taste-test them!
Additional Resources
For more insights on parenting and home activities, check out this blog post about the importance of empowering children: Importance of Empowering Children.
And for those interested in the topic of family planning, this resource is a great choice. Additionally, if you’re looking for information on pregnancy and home insemination, this link to Healthline is an excellent choice.
Summary
Allowing my daughter the freedom to explore cooking transformed not only her skills but also my approach to parenting. By saying “yes” to her kitchen inquiries, I’ve fostered her confidence and independence. This shift has proven to be one of my best parenting choices, leading to a messy yet rewarding experience.