Unplugged(stepping away from social media): Cooking with your kids!

In this technological age, I find that the addiction to get lost in social media and endless google searches has stolen so much of my precious family time. So I am making a commitment to be more present in my life by unplugging during the daytime hours when my children are present. EASIER SAID THAN DONE! But surfing the internet, has to be the worst kind of addiction because its an acceptable social form of disconnecting. However its affects are similar. Our children get a irritable version of ourselves, who just wants them to be quiet while we just finish this one article, that turns into 2 hours of “research” on endless topics. 

Without my phone I am more patient, present, and loving.  I realized that the time I have with them is fleeting…and I want to remember each moment. Surfing mindlessly quiets the thoughts and feelings in the same way overeating, or other distractions does. So I am committing to be UNPLUGGED on the weekends during waking hours of my children and during the week.  Pray for me!

For todays UNPLUGGED ACTIVITY we will be COOKING! YAY…minus the mess, and partially followed directions.  We made Easy Brownie Dump, where we used leftover halloween candy. Each child could choose 2 chocolate candies of their choice to put into the brownies.

Cooking is so important because it teaches children the importance of following a series of directions, and how important it is to follow them succinctly to get the desired end product. Do you need to be a chef to do this…HECK NAW. Grab a box of brownie mix, and get cooking.  xThe important thing to remember is to LET YOUR CHILDREN DO IT. By this I mean, you will have to forgo taking over to avoid messes and let them explore measuring, stirring, cutting. EVEN IF IT CREATES A HUGE MESS. Part of teaching them responsibility is getting them involved in cleaning it up!  

Cooking is three parts. 

• THE PREP
  • Ask them to read the directions all the way through once
  • Then have them scavenger hunt for the ingredients
  • Preheat the oven, if baking

 

• THE COMPILATION
  • Make sure they follow the directions in order and forgo shortcuts to teach them discipline
  • Baking is a science!
    • Teach them the different tools to measure and how to read them.
    • Make sure teach how adding too much/little of an ingredient can alter the recipe
    • LET THEM MEASURE IT: even if the flour is all over the table! Demonstrate how to measure flour, sift, discuss why its important, and let them TRY IT! Take the opportunity to discuss the science behind it. (sifting, leavening, etc)
    • DON’T GRAB THE SPOON-show them how to mix without spilling with one hand holding the bowl. Teach them how to fold, whip, etc. not just by demonstration but assist them in doing it themselves. 
    • Make sure they CLEAN as they GO, and explain food safety when needed (ex. handling eggs)

• THE CLEAN UP
  • Assign roles if you have more than one child (Table Captain-wipes up table, Trash Captain-Throws away trash, Supply Captain-puts away supplies or dirty dishes, Clean Captain- washes dishes or loads Dishwasher)
  • You can write the jobs down and draw from a hat to eliminate bickering surrounding job assignments

 

Unplugged:What are you cooking with your children today?