“Mom, can I bake something?” my eight-year-old son, Alex, asked eagerly as he strolled into the kitchen.
Of course, he wanted to bake. I had just spent the last two hours preparing, cooking, serving, and cleaning up from a dinner with six different dishes to satisfy our family of five. I sighed deeply.
“Not right now, buddy. I just cleaned up, and it’ll create a huge mess.”
He walked away, likely to find another episode of one of those overly cheerful shows on television.
Reflecting on it now, I’m somewhat embarrassed to recall how frequently that exact exchange occurred. Don’t get me wrong; I often allowed Alex to assist me in the kitchen. I pride myself on being a competent cook and enthusiastic baker, so I would let him take part in tasks I deemed suitable for an eight-year-old.
He could gather ingredients, pour, and mix, but I held back on letting him crack eggs—worried about shells ruining the batter. I didn’t trust him to wash the bowls thoroughly, and I definitely didn’t allow him near the stove or oven for fear of burns.
I’d pacify him with, “I don’t need help right now, but you can taste-test when it’s done.”
Then, one rainy evening, everything shifted.
I entered the living room to find Alex engrossed in a show on the Food Network called “Chopped Junior.” I sat down beside him and, for the next 20 minutes, I watched in disbelief as kids his age navigated a kitchen with more skill than many adults I knew.
These young chefs expertly chopped with sharp knives, sautéed, boiled, and even pan-seared. One of them made a roux. What even is a roux?
I pondered how these kids could be so adept in the kitchen, and then it hit me: they could perform those feats because someone had told them “YES” along the way.
That night, I made a vow. From then on, whenever Alex asked to help in the kitchen, my answer would be “yes.”
- “Mom, can I bake cookies?” Yes.
- “Mom, can I make scrambled eggs?” Yes.
- “Mom, can I whip up some mac-n-cheese?” Yes.
- “Mom, can I prepare a quesadilla?” Yes.
- “Mom, can I make homemade frosting?” Yes.
- “Mom, can I use some of your baking supplies to create my own recipe?” Ugh. Yes.
Thus began my messy, time-consuming experiment. Initially, Alex required significant assistance, learning to operate the oven, gas range, and timers. My countertops seemed perpetually sticky, and the sink overflowed with bowls, pots, and pans.
But I rarely had to explain things more than once. The more I said yes, the more he wanted to do. Before long, he was independently searching for recipes online. I found myself stepping back, watching his capability and confidence blossom.
Fast forward a year, and I can confidently say this was one of the best parenting decisions I’ve made. With three children aged 18, 15, and 9, I’ve made a multitude of choices.
Alex could easily prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert if necessary. He can crack an egg with one hand (a skill I haven’t mastered), and he can sauté broccoli like a pro. His homemade chocolate cupcakes? The best I’ve ever tasted.
These skills and the confidence he’s gained will stay with him for life. And to me, that’s worth every broken egg, spilled milk, and chaotic kitchen.
So, fellow parents, I urge you to consider your child’s requests—whether in the kitchen or elsewhere—because these moments could lead to valuable life skills. The initial investment of your time and energy can yield significant rewards. Tomorrow, I need to prepare 24 cupcakes for a potluck, and guess what? Alex has it covered. If I play my cards right, I might even get to be the taste-tester.
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Summary
A simple episode of “Chopped Junior” transformed my parenting approach, leading me to embrace my son’s kitchen aspirations. By saying “yes” to his requests, I fostered his cooking skills and confidence, turning messy experiments into valuable lessons. This experience has not only empowered him but also lightened my workload in the kitchen.