One of my big goals for this Summer is to teach my kids how to plan and cook a meal. They are all old enough to learn this skill and I want them to feel confident in the kitchen! However I was caught off guard the other day when I came home from an errand and my Eleven year old and her friends announced that they would be making a “Romantic” dinner for my husband and I.
I felt really uneasy about this because we have a gas stove. I figured none of them knew how to work it AND I didn’t really want the mess in my kitchen AND I admit, I didn’t really want to eat anything without first knowing WHAT it was AND the process in which it was cooked. Get what I mean?!
The girls could definitely sense my apprehension and assured me that they knew how to use the gas stove. I really didn’t know what exactly they had in mind but I agreed that they could go ahead. I needed to go back out and do more errands and pick up my other daughter so I left. Upon returning after being gone 1 hr., my dining room had been transformed into a sweet romantic hideaway. Complete with dimmed lighting, blinds drawn, candle lit, fancy table cloth and a special curtain put up in the doorway to hide what they were doing in the kitchen.
Oooohhhh this was so hard for me. I wanted to see what they were doing in there! It smelled good though..that’s a good sign right? My husband got home right after me and we were both ushered into the dining room to “fellowship” while dinner was cooking. We played along, figuring dinner would be ready in about 15 min…. “NOT”
After the menu’s were brought to us..yes menu’s…complete with “Main dish” “side dish” “dessert” and “drink”! They had actually printed it out! (I forgot to take a pic) Oh and we started with a salad! These girls actually had 2 side rice dishes to choose from and 2 side pasta dishes to choose from. You have got to be kidding..is this a “Restaurant” or something!!
Yep it was!!
We ordered and enjoyed visiting as we usually do in the evening…with many interruptions of course to make sure we were doing ok…oh yes and our 13 year old had joined us by now for our “Romantic” dinner date. The conversation quickly turned from “Romance” to Basketball. LOL..so much for “Romance”
Time was passing and we were getting quite hungry but we were assured dinner would be ready SOON!
What in the world were they doing in there??
They decided to give us breadsticks and a smoothie with our salad to tide us over until the “main meal” was ready. Yes a smoothie..Oh my..what are they doing in my kitchen!?
“Lord help me not to try to take control of this situation!” What was that “OOPS” and “CRASH”??!!
Dinner was finally served… an hour later……..
Guess what? The dinner was deeelish! They did a great job..the chicken was even thoroughly cooked! … They even cleaned up after themselves!! Notice EVERY cupboard open! LOL
So what was I ever so nervous about?
Well….. about half way through our dinner we found out that they had used all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher…YUK..(they thought they were clean!) my husband and I tried very hard NOT to freeeak about this…Then they scratched up one of my Teflon pans (very badly) and burnt the bottom one of pans..still scrubbing on that one!
But look at those faces…they were so pleased with themselves and oh well my husband and I are still alive and pots and pans can be replaced!
I’m still finding slops and slurps around my kitchen from that night of cooking….
What would you have done? Would you have let them cook?? What are you willing to sacrifice to help your children learn? ;0
How fun :O) my kids LOVE to help in the kitchen. I really think it can be great for their confidence.
Mellissa Hanks recently posted..Diva Dangler Earring of the Month Club
I understand how nervous you were. My daughter loved to bake, but she was very messy while doing it. Everything was clean after she was finished, but I could not stand to stay around while she was ‘doing it her way’. It was always delicious. My view is that they can’t learn if we are always hovering over them wanting things done ‘our’ way. Glad you had a great time!
Geek Girl recently posted..Amazon Free App Today
Isn’t that sooo true Geek Girl! It was all I could do not to interfere but when all is said and done I’m glad I stayed seated and not hovering!
And they were just sooo proud of themselves! As they should be 
Thanks for stopping by and Blessings!
it sure can – how neat!!! keep it up
Thanks Kim! Blessings!
I definitely think it helps build confidence. I have 2 kids with food allergies so I think it’s important that they know how to cook and love food as well!
Natalie Z recently posted..Come Join us for Feed Me Friday~Email Subscription #BlogHop
I think seeing themselves accomplish anything in life is confident building so, cooking would apply too! Such great pics, and my kids love to help in the kitchen too!
Allyson Bossie recently posted..Beat the Summer Heat with Eco Vessel Water Bottle Giveaway! 7/26
Hi Allyson! I totally agree! I just love to see my kids try new things and grow! It causes me to grow too!! LOL
thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Cooking can totally build confidence in children. It teaches them hat they can accomplish something from start to finish and they also learn about different foods, measuring them, and skills that they can take with them into adulthood.
Deanna U recently posted..DIY Bathroom Ideas: Floating Wall Decor and Kleenex Hand Towels {Tutorial}
I must admit this totally choked me up. Especially when you saif “pots and pans can be replaced”. That is so true. Moments like that are a treasure and worth a million messes and broken items.
Kristen recently posted..Twinkle Toes: The Movie! A DVD Giveaway! (US only)
Awww Kristen you are so sweet. I’ve had to learn that the hard way
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My 5 year old helps me in the kitchen all the time. She loves it! She’ll proudly announce at dinner that she thinks the did wonderfully on the rice, or the salad, or mac and cheese.
She loves it, and I can’t wait to have her cook me dinner all by herself someday. It’ll be worth all the scratched tephlon, spilled flour, and eaten eggshells. 
Shayla Burks recently posted..Two in One, and not even CHEATING!
LOL that is totally awesome Shayla! You are right..it is definately worth all the mess and broken dishes
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It most definitely can! H loves to help me in the kitchen. Sure it can sometimes make a mess but I don’t care- it does build confidence!
melissa recently posted..Mott’s Medley Fruit Snacks Review! #MyBlogSpark
You are such a GREAT Mommy Melissa! Wish I had learned that long ago
Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
I love this post! My parents let us take charge a few times to cook dinner when we were kids and it was so fun. We had such a sense of accomplishment, as it seems your children did too. Love the smoothie appetizer!
Audrey recently posted..Have a Great Weekend!
Hi Audrey! That is so awesome and such a confirmation that you felt so accomplished..sometimes I think I “own” the kitchen for making a big meal..Oh I let my kids do some smaller things .. but not this big..:) Thanks for your encouragement! Blessings!
This is such a fun idea! I’m going to keep this one tucked away until my kids are old enough to try it out
Sorry about your dishes! 
Savannah recently posted..Easy Hawaiian Kalua Pork in the Slow Cooker
what sweet girls
Renee @ Made By Renee recently posted..Learn Through Play : #preschool #kids #homeschool
Great post! I love it! 2 of my 3 kids love to get in the kitchen so this is a great idea to give them a little more freedom and confidence!
I’m glad it was encouraging Laura! It’s awesome that you have kids that like to cook
Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
That is so cool! I would let them cook in the kitchen at that age. Yes I would have been quite nervous with the stove too tho. We have a gas stove as well. Pots and pans can be replaced (tho we prefer not to lol) and yes this is worth the learning experience for them.
I would have been quite happy about how well they handled this and how thought out it was. Of course the dirty dishes part would have got me too!
Dawn recently posted..Beautiful Pandorus Sphinx Moth We Saw on Our Deck
Hi Dawn! Yes I was so proud of them!! I’ll have to get over the pans though..LOL And oh those little spills down the cupboard that I’m still finding days later..ugg..oh well..how will they ever learn right?! Blessing to you!
My daughter is 11 yo too. I’ve been encouraging her in the kitchen too. She loves it. She just needs to be better about cleaning up
Jamie@southmainmuse recently posted..Here Comes The Sun – flowers. Rena and Wes’ field in Rutledge, Georgia
Hi Jamie! Oh yes the cleaning part is quite a chore..it’s fun to cook but clean up
Part of life though right!! 
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I always cooked as a kid and I always let my kids cook with me. I think it’s a wonderful bonding and learning experience.
Doreen Lombardo-Campisi recently posted..The Chef’s Challenge
It is an awesome bonding time Doreen. I think sometimes we forget that in the midst of parenting..thank you for the reminder
The fact that they put so much thought into it, wanted it to be special, set the mood was just awesome. The time it took to hang the sheet to keep the surprise, to make up and print the menus, to prepare and clean up makes up for the mistakes (dirty dishes, burnt and scratched pans). Their delight with themselves is worth it all. Great job girls. It brought back memories of my childhood and doing similar things for my parents (usually mother’s day) and for a while I was on a baking kick for making my dad special cakes just because. It also reminded me of when my kids were young and would cook for me! Be happy they are getting into messes at home in your kitchen where they are safe and having fun than other types of messes kids these days get into! Great girls, glad you enjoyed.
Doreen Lombardo-Campisi recently posted..The Chef’s Challenge
Hi Doreen! You are so right..why should I complain when they are cooking at home and having fun! LOL I love that you used to do that for your family! I had to cook dinner..but it was my chore so it wasn’t fun
BUT I do still love to cook 
They did put sooo much effort into the whole thing..amazing. I’m very proud of them! Thanks for the encouragement and for stopping by! Blessings!
Letting our kids not only build confidence but trust as well. I remember my second eldest daughter when she was about 8 years old. She cannot be kept near the stove to the point of getting burned. She was that persistent and eager to learn. Until one day I let her do the cooking. We had to bear the taste of her cooking on her first months, sometimes too salty, sometimes not. Despite all the jokes, she never gave up, until there came a time she represented her school in a cooking competition where she won. Now she does the cooking in our household and takes up Food Technology in college.
It was kind of hard when I let her cook the first time but her interest and perseverance was enough for me to trust this daughter of mine. Now I rely her so much that I know I will surely miss her once she decides to live on her own.
Blessings!
sarah recently posted..When You Were Born
Hi Sarah! WOW that is such an awesome testimony!! What a great encouragement you are because I have this daughter that REALLY wants to cook ALL THE TIME! It makes me nervous but you have really given me confidence to trust her! Thank you so much!! Blessings to you and your awesome kids!!
Yes, I would have let them cook, but I’d been as nervous as you. I do believe there comes a time when they can handle more things or are willing to challenge more things than we think they’re ready for.
It sure looks like a lovely evening, dirty dishes and all.
Donna recently posted..Seven Lovely Blurbs
It was great fun! Yes it’s better to let go..I think I haven’t had a child quite so ambitious as she is so I will have to learn to adjust to that! LOL! Blessings..hope you are having a great weekend!
I can’t wait till mine are a little older…right now they plan special meals with Daddy for me on special occasions! I think it’s great that they planned a coursed meal!!
Teaching Tiny Tots recently posted..Stamps
Hi TTT! Yes it is so fun..we were definately surprised and had no idea that they could pull off a meal like this..it was fantastic!
That is so special that they do that with Daddy..it won’t be long and they won’t need Daddy and they will surprise you AND Dad with a special meal 
Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!