I am a bit of a control freak. It's one of the things I really dislike about myself. So I decided the only way to stop feeling like I have to be in control was to let part of that control go. I see blogs and hear friends talking about their kids cooking with them and I have just not been able to do it. Autumn and Weston have never expressed interest, but it was mainly me not inviting them and thinking all they would do was mess it up. :) Well about 6 months ago I found the cutest aprons and bought a pink and blue one thinking I would start letting them help in the kitchen. Well- those aprons are still in the cupboards with the tags on them and they've never even see them or needed them.
So last night was a first for us! Autumn came to help me make some cookie bars. Last year Autumn went to preschool 3 days a week, this year it changed to 4 days and since Fri had never before been a preschool day the two preschool teachers decided on Fridays to combine the classes and do cooking experiments. I realized then that Autumn needed those fun memories of baking and cooking with her mom; not just with her school mates.
We made Chocolate-Frosted Peanut Butter Cookie Bars.
Autumn did awesome. I measured, she poured, and most of it made it into the bowl, but yes- my kitchen was a bigger mess than it would've been with just myself in there, which I kept having to ignore.
Once we got to the frosting part she was done. But I did have her spread the frosting. She did such a lovely job!
It was a lot of fun. I think Autumn enjoyed herself too. I need to take more opportunities to spend just one on one time with her and enjoy letting her help me, it helps me get over this need to control everything! :)
The recipe is from Our Best Bites...can be found here.
5 comments:
Awe, that' so sweet for you to let her help you out. I am a big advocate of parents letting their kids help out even if it slows things down. It's easy for me to say, I only have one kid and I lived with my in laws his whole life, lol. Even when Mason was 1, when I baked I would sit him in a high chair and let him play with flour, or eggless dough. Now, he pours measuring cups and helps me turn on the mixer. He also helps clean up, I hope he keeps that up well into his teens, ha ha.
Good job mommy. They're only little for so long, sometimes we just need to slow down from warp speed and enjoy the simple things in life.
Wow I am so happy for you and Autumn that looks fun. Good for you overcoming your anxiety and having her help. I am proud of you!
You can do it! I have a love/hate relationship with cooking with Cardon or any kid for that matter. HOWEVER, I have such a huge passion for cooking that I want to pass onto any kid willing to learn. So, I do it as often as possible. Cardon was better at 16 to 18 months because he could watch and play with spoons and be sorta helpful. Now he just climbs on the counter and makes a huge mess and does nothing wtih the food I am making. I think Autumn is at a great age for cooking with you. :) Good luck. I hope you can continue doing this and enjoying eachother. :) regardless of the mess.....
p.s. I'm a control freak too, no worries.
I think most moms are probably control freaks, atleast to some level. I know I am. It is so hard to let them help out. When I was homeschooling the kids I decided having kids home all the time I needed help. SO, they became my helpers. I started letting them each pick a room to dust one day a week, swish the toilet once a week, and fold their own clothes. At 4 Savanah was an excellent folder. It has been harder for me to let them in the kitchen. Brayden has been helping me cook dinner all week and he has loved every minute of it, and so have I. I bet Autumn loved it and it will be a treasured memory for her. Kids really do like to help out, especially when they are young, if we just let them.
Good job mommy! I'm excited for you two! I KNOW she loves that special one on one time with you! And she did a better job than I would of at frosting them! I stink :)
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