Building Habits, in the Kitchen!
In some families, the kitchen is meant for moms and helpers.
Not even for daughters.
What more, sons and dads.
Here’s the reality though:
– our daughters and sons will probably become someone’s wife, someone’s husband.
– At the very least, they will be someone’s friend and colleague.
– We won’t be living with them under the same roof, forever.
The question is,
Are our children trained to get involved and offer help proactively?
Or are they raised to be people who expect to be served? (who have no idea on what to do if the helpers are not around)
…
“It’s lunch time. How come there is no food on the table?'”
“Why are we starting dinner late today? I am hungry.”
“Oh, my dirty plate is on my desk.” *and walks away*
Here’s another reality:
not all children welcome the idea of being involved in the kitchen on a regular basis.
If it’s to make something fun once in a while, well, yes, they’ll be excited.
But if it is a daily thing, … chopping, washing, cooking, … errr … that gets kinda, boring.
Not a surprise if they would prefer to do something else/resist/challenge/complain about the idea of being involved again and again (or question why it’s not done by their siblings instead)
I don’t know what it’s like at your home, but the above ‘response’ happens at OUR home.
I feel it’s simply not easy for them to see that as parents, we are simply trying to equip them with necessary skills and good habits, qualities they all need in the future.
Having said that though, I must say, things are much better today than, say, before they started their online school.
When the 3 kids are at home ALL THE TIME, there’s plenty of time to relate, rebuke and chat, which makes involving them in the kitchen regularly more possible.
Over the past year especially, I also notice how there’s a drop in resistance and complaints. *sigh of relief*
Anyway.
Am I saying that I have successfully trained my kids?
Haha. Far from it.
The journey is still very long.
I’m just glad our kids have started, I guess.
PS: This is the kitchen at Villa TWT where we stayed for 2 nights at Sukabumi. Not too clean, but the tap water is drinkable!
PPS: Not having any helper living with us also makes it more possible for the kids to be more involved in the kitchen and chores.
