Parenting in the Kitchen ? Lessons in Cooking, Socializing, and Bonding

Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals are prepared ? it's usually the hub of the home, where family and friends get together to spend time. Cooking and eating together is about more than nutrition for the body. It's also the experience of connecting and interacting with family members, to feed relationships. Try to choose one meal that everyone comes to the table. It doesn't have to be dinner. This is a challenge as everyone has their own activities (especially as children grow), but starting early promotes the importance of family time together, and also demonstrates a healthy attitude towards food and eating.

Socializing

? Children love playing with simple pots, pans and wooden spoons. Give them some to play with, or buy them their own play set

? If you're in the kitchen they want to be there too. Find a place that's safe, but also allows you to engage with them

? When eating, have them sit at the table in age appropriate high chairs and booster seats

? Interact with children at mealtimes, even when just starting on solid food

? Create a stress fee feeding environment for your baby

Teaching

There are many lessons to be learned in the kitchen. You can start teaching very early. Cooking is a skill your children will use forever and you'll create fond memories together. Even a baby's early development can be taught in the kitchen:

? Colors and numbers ? have your baby count the numbers of apples you're peeling and ask the color

? Vocabulary ? tell the baby the names of all your ingredients and ask her to repeat them

? Safety ? show them the dangers in the kitchen - what not to touch and why

? Agriculture ? where food comes from. How do fruits and vegetables grow? You may even consider planting a garden, so your child can see the whole process

? Table manners ? the use of utensils, saying "please" and "thank you"

? Following directions ? a recipe can help with reading comprehension and how to follow instructions

As your child ages, you can also teach them how to make family recipes and share with them about your own childhood and family mealtimes.

Cooking

Cooking does not have to be a major event if you do not have the time or energy. Many people think they can't cook, but they prepare meals all the time. It does not require a recipe book or hours of time alone in the kitchen. You only need an imagination and a stocked pantry or refrigerator.

? Find a safe place for baby to watch you cook and talk to them to keep them interested ? always remember to take a break and spend a few minutes playing or hugging

? Interruptions will happen ? make foods that can be prepped easily or make meals in stages

? Allow children to choose foods and meals for the family ? they can take pride in the family meal and that they've contributed

? When age appropriate, allow children to help with tasks such as mixing dough, peeling vegetables, setting the table, making family name cards

? Children will spill and make mistakes ? be patient

Health and Nutrition

You want your child to grow up with healthy attitudes towards food and nutrition. They will look at what and how you eat for guidance. If you are always dieting and not enjoying food, you may pass along negative feeling about food to your children.

? Have them see you enjoying healthy foods

? Avoid foods that you do not want your child to eat. If they see you eating cookies, they will want cookies too.

? Avoid forcing your child to eat ? children will eat if they are hungry

? Introduce a variety of flavors and textures to your children's diet

? Eat whole foods vs. "fast" foods

? Create a stress fee feeding environment for your baby

? Avoid bribing children with sweets

Food and Memories

Food can remind us of special occasions, events, people, etc. "Comfort foods" are those that make you feel good and often remind you of your past or childhood. Usually these foods are rich in flavor and texture (creamy, crunchy). We sometimes rely on these foods to comfort us when we're not feeling well or want to be reminded of a special time or event. These foods may also reflect an ethnic heritage, culture, region and time. They may be time consuming to make, such as a Thanksgiving dinner or they may be quick and easy (Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches)

Ask yourself "what are my comfort foods and why?", and "which foods would I like to become my child's comfort foods and why?"

Lisa Barnes is the owner of Petit Appetit a cooking service devoted to infants and toddlers. She teaches private and group cooking classes to parents throughout Northern California, and is the author of The Petit Appetit Cookbook (Penguin, March 2005) For more information visit http://www.petitappetit.com

---

Spelling Games

The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More

Parents: You Can Do Something About Professional Sports Ethics

Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More

No Invitation Needed: Sacred Children Series - 3 of 3

I had my first two children on either side of... Read More

?I?M OVERWHELMED? -- 5 Tips On How Parents Can Take Control Of Their Lives

Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More

Top Three Ways To Communicate With Your Child

Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain... Read More

Are Your Kids Driving You Crazy? How Character Building Charts Keep You Sane

Who lives in your house? Are they driving you "crazy?"... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: But everyone else gets to do it!

Q. We are getting to the stage with our kids... Read More

A Dangerous Environment

The internet is a dangerous place for your children. Don't... Read More

Helping Your Teen Get Back to School With Clear Skin

Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More

I WONT DO IT! Tips for Working with the Oppositional Child

"I WON'T DO IT!" "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"Whether parent or... Read More

The Importance of Fathers

There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More

Child Abuse - Survey & Comments

Beyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the... Read More

How Do You Find the Best Car Seat to Protect Your Child

Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More

Study Skills - Help Young People Study Smarter, Not Harder

Many young people don't know how to study efficiently and... Read More

My Husband Prioritizes Making Money Above Family Time

"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything... Read More

What is Incest?

Incest is sexual activity, ranging from fondling to intercourse, between... Read More

Selecting and Hiring Childcare Employees

In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form... Read More

Single Mother Sanity Savers Pt. 1

Being a single mother is no easy task. I know.... Read More

Eating Disorders in Children

If I had a dollar for every time I persuaded... Read More

Who Wants To Date Their Mother?

Do any other reality TV junkies remember a show on... Read More

Is Your Child Becoming A Praise Junkie?

Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More

Mommy, I Can?t Sleep! Sleep Disturbance in Children

"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More

We All Wish That Our Children Have Good Virtues, But... Are We Setting A Good Example Ourselves?

We all wish that our children should not smoke or... Read More

Sibling Fighting - Reduce Sibling Rivalry by NOT Keeping Score

Recently, a much-anticipated game of mini-golf with my children soon... Read More

Quality Time?

There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More

Americas Public schools --- Deteriorating Like They Did In Ancient Rome

The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More

A New School Year

Depending on where you live school will be starting this... Read More

How to Foster a Love of Reading and Writing in Your Child

The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More

New Baby ? Relax and Become a Yummy Mummy

Lets face it becoming a mum is a bit of... Read More

Top 25 Children Quotations

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience... Read More

Why Me?

Why Me?"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should... Read More

Parents Complaints --- Arrogant Public Schools Turn a Deaf Ear

School authorities continually claim that they want more parent cooperation... Read More

How to Set Healthy Limits at Work

Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More