I grew up with a family where Salisbury Steak TV dinner was an exciting alternative to trying to figure out something to cook for myself. Needless to say that didn’t exactly set me up for having a connected relationship with my food. It wasn’t until after I had my own kids that I started to think seriously about how what I ate affected my health and the health of our family.

Here are some of the things I learned on the job:

Let the kids help.

If you have kids you already know that having an extra pair of hands in there is an added “complication.” The pay off is, it’s the best way to get your kids on board with the next step, which is of course – eating! Let kids measure, chop, stir, fetch and  – yes! Clean up!

Be inclusive. Try to let kids have a voice in choosing what they will eat, and how (and even where) it will be served. It’s a lot easier for people of any age, to be interested and enthusiastic about something they have had had a hand in – Don’t be afraid to divvy up jobs and hand out accolades. A pick-nick on the porch is a lot easier to carry off if everyone participates.

We connect best with things we do. If food is something you and your kids do together, everyone can enjoy the process as well as the outcome.

Here are some other articles about kids and food if you want to read more:

http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/cooking-helps-kids-with-language-skills-self-confidence-and-following-directions/

https://www.pbs.org/parents/parenthelpers/cooking.html