From Chaos to Kitchen Crew: Why Letting Little Ones Help Is Worth the Mess

As long as I remember, my kids have wanted to be under my feet in the kitchen. When your first child is newly walking, and into all the cabinets, it feels like much more of a hindrance than a help. As I wrestled with what to do with my new helper, a veteran mom friend of mine recommended I put up a baby gate to keep my little out while I was able to pull dinner together. She said her kids would quietly play on the other side while she prepared the food. Not so in my kitchen. My son hung on the gate and sobbed that he was kept out. I would push through the cries, and get the food done, but it was still stressful. Now, looking back on those days, I wish I would have included him more. Even if it meant food wasn’t ready as quickly, it’s an opportunity to bond around food. You just don’t know what you don’t know in those early stages of parenting.

As our family grew, there were even more kids who wanted to be involved. I began to study how to improve their competency in the kitchen to include them more. Other countries seem to have a better feel on their kids' capabilities around dangerous things like kitchen knives. I began to wade into the dangerous waters to see how they would do--choosing to provide very clear instructions and supervision at first. They grew in confidence quickly. Sure, there’s a chance that they would end up with a small cut on their finger while chopping. But guess what? They get a bandaid and life moves on! 

The kitchen has since become a team effort. Some days, I have a one helper rule. Other days, each kid gets a work zone and is able to play a small part in the whole meal coming together. As time has gone on, I’ve learned that trusting them in small ways can eventually have a big payout. My oldest is now 9. He has the ability to throw together a quick spaghetti and meat sauce meal with a salad if I ask him. Sometimes he asks early in the day what’s for dinner and will request to do the prep work! 

So mama, I see you there with the 2 year old and the baby in the bouncer beside you as you hustle through the “witching hour” to get food on the table. Take a deep breath. Embrace the chaos. A tiny taste-testing toddler will help you get through the remaining time until food is on the table. Know that your small efforts right now with your children will one day build into a kitchen of helpers. Your time spent will nourish your family in more than one way. 

Guest Blogger | Rebekah Burghardt

Rebekah is a stay-at-home mom of four with a desire to keep her family ‘well-fed’ and believes that some of the best time spent is time together around a table.