Teach your kids to cook. Allow them to make messes and learn in their own unique way. Build up their confidence and lead by example.

Cooking is such an important life skill. I’m often surprised by many who come to me here or via email, that truly just don’t know how to cook. They either weren’t taught, have little interest, or dread inconvenience.

It doesn’t have to be complicated but convenience has hindered our food intake and quality dramatically.

Teach them that preparing a wholesome meal can be creative, relaxing, and fun. It’s rewarding to provide and serve your family through cooking. It paves a way to pause together and slow down over breaking bread.

Some practical ways to include them while also educating:

• Involve them with planning the meals for the week.
• Let them help shop at the grocery store and learn where things are located.
• Take them to your local farmer’s market. Have them pick their own veggies from your garden. Let them be in charge of gathering eggs or milking your dairy cow. Have them snip herbs from your plants for seasonings. We also take our girls to the meat processor when we take steers so they can see how we get different cuts. There are several printables online to use so they can see where each cut comes from.
• Show them kitchen safety, especially when using the stove stop or cutting up vegetables.
• Find a cooking show you both enjoy watching together. Ours is Pioneer Woman, Magnolia Table, + Kids Baking Championship.

There are so many ways to teach them young and how to cook from the heart. Not only that, to teach them how to cook intuitively, not relying on a book. To appreciate the time and labor it takes for quality ingredients and the importance of inconvenience.

I pray that my heart in Hayfield Meals is reflected upon my children.

Teach them.