Cooking with Kids

In my last post I discussed the importance of eating dinner together as a family. One central idea to that concept involves kids in the kitchen. There’s beauty in the time spent on nourishing your family, and kids learn it best when they begin to cook as youngsters.

Good cooking is truly an art form. My younger self could cook, meaning that I could take prepackaged food and create something that was edible. But understanding food and the nuances that accompany a delicious dish is a skill that must be rehearsed, just like anything else. I’ve learned a great deal about cooking thanks to my husband who understands food much better than I do. My attitude changed as I realized that cooking for family and friends is truly an expression of love.

So, how can you develop a love for cooking in your kids’ hearts and minds? Several strategies bring kids into the kitchen to start them on a journey of food appreciation.

1. Begin by including them as your helpers, or as we like to call it at our house, “sous chefs.” Kids of all ages can assist in cooking, and it makes them feel important. Whether it’s getting out the ingredients, pouring things into a mixing bowl, or stirring, there’s always a task to be completed. Older kids can learn to chop, peel, and manage a hot skillet. If you need time to teach skills, approach it on a weekend when time is not as tight as on a school night.

2. Get kids’ attention with their preferred foods. If your child is reluctant to serve as your assistant, entice them with foods you know they already enjoy. It’s more fun to make a batch of cookies than to prepare a vegetable side dish. Be patient. The goal is to get them interested, so take it slow. Once you’ve got them hooked, you can start to introduce new foods or engage them in the preparation of other dishes.

3. Watch cooking shows on TV. Something amazing happens when you watch cooking shows...you really want to cook. Watching the masters at work stirs up a sense of excitement. “I could do that!” you start to think. And, if you’re thinking it, kids will, too. Find an entertaining cooking show host and start to tune in regularly. Not only will you pick up a few tips and tricks, your family will start to see how much fun it is to cook.

4. Find kid friendly recipes. Search the Internet, look in magazines, or visit bookstores for recipes that are written for kids. The local library is likely to have kids’ cookbook available, too, including ones written by celebrity chefs like Rachael Ray. It won’t take much time to find recipes which engage your kids in the kitchen.

Turn your children into chefs and start them on the road to a lifetime of cooking. Make food and mealtime a priority in your family and equip your kids with healthy habits and attitudes for the years to come.

Mealtime is Family Time

In this increasingly hectic world, it can be difficult to sit down for a family dinner. Don’t mistake the importance of this family time, though; coming together to leave the distractions of the world behind. Several wonderful things happen when a family eats together.

1. Children learn good table manners. At its most basic function, the family dinner helps children learn table manners, especially when mom and dad model them. Implementing the manners at home trains the kids for using those manners in other eating situations, such as restaurants and at friends’ houses. Train them at home and then take them out to practice their skills.

2. Children learn the art of conversation. Besides eating, talking is a major function of the family dinner. Not only do kids hear their parents talk, but they learn how to engage in polite conversation and all the nuances that accompany it. This frequent conversation with parents also improves vocabulary which develops better language skills.

3. Children have uninterrupted attention from their parents. Busy, busy, busy. It’s become the American way of life. But, when the entire family sits down to eat, the kids have the opportunity to talk to their parents, share information about the day, and ask questions. Some of the best conversations in families happen at the dinner table.

4. Children eat healthier meals. Research shows that families eat more fruits and vegetables when everyone sits down for a family meal. Teach kids about nutrition and model healthy eating habits. Eating at home also gives parents control over portion sizes, a difficult task when dining out.

5. Children learn about cooking. Preparing and then eating a family dinner teaches kids how to cook. Let children be part of the meal preparation. Older kids and teens can even take on the responsibility of preparing an entire meal once a week. Pass down those cherished family recipes by engaging kids in the process of cooking.

6. Children try new foods. While cooking and eating a meal together, take this opportunity to introduce a new food. Experiment in the kitchen and get kids on board with your new adventure. Eating at home is more economical than dining out, so trying a new recipe is gentler on the pocketbook. Let kids suggest a new menu item and even let them help make it. It’s easier to be adventurous when eating at home.

7. Children are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Studies show that kids who eat at least five family meals a week are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as cigarette smoking, drugs, and drinking. The time spent in direct contact with parents has a positive impact in helping kids make wise choices in these areas.

If a myriad of activities keeps your family from sitting down together on a regular basis, then it might be time to pare down the activities. Start small with one or two meals per work and gradually increase as you flex the schedule. In time, the family dinner will feel so routine, you’ll wonder how you survived without it. 

Keep Kids Active in the Winter

Winter has reared its ugly head with cold temperatures and plenty of snow. After just a few days of being stuck inside, you may be looking for ways to get your kids moving. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of exercise every day, and that can be a tall order to fill when winter weather keeps recreational activities at bay. Think outside the box to keep your kids active during the long days of winter.

1. Turn your house into an indoor gym. Create an obstacle course with chairs, pillows, sofa cushions, tables, and anything else that you can use to make a maze for your kids to crawl and jump through. Utilize the space in your basement or garage for kicking a soccer ball, having a “sword fight” with pool noodles, jumping rope, or creating the aforementioned obstacle course. Set up a fitness routine with a series of jumping jacks, push-ups, sit ups, and jogging in place. Time your kids and set goals for personal “bests.”

2. Bring technology into the mix with your video game system. Wii Fit games are a lot of fun, and kids love working out with other “Mii”s. Games like “Just Dance” provide a fun way to work out while dancing. Find workout DVDs that everyone can use. Kids enjoy using adult exercise DVDs because it makes them feel more grown up. Zumba DVDs incorporate dancing into the workout.

3. If you need to get out of the house, take advantage of your YMCA membership. Teens can visit the fitness room or shoot hoops in the gym. Get kids of all ages moving by walking on the track. Let kids use their MP3 players and headphones to motivate them while walking or running. Take the entire family for a dip in the pool and conduct family relay races across the pool.

Visit an indoor entertainment venue with jumping
inflatables, laser tag, and more!

4. Visit a local establishment with jumping inflatables. Older kids will enjoy laser tag, and you could even stage a family competition. Search out the indoor entertainment venues in your area to find other fun activities, such as sand volleyball, go karts, laser tag, mini-golf, and bowling. Many large cities now feature the SkyZone Trampoline Park. Jumping packages start at just $9 a person. Google search to find indoor entertainment establishments for admission rates, directions, and hours of operation for wherever you live.

5. Go outside! When those rare winter days with higher temperatures arrive, send your kids outside. Keep a few balls or other outdoor toys handy through the winter so that the kids can shoot a few hoops, take a spin on a skateboard or scooter, or swing on the swingset.

6. Don’t shy away from the snowy days, too. Buy your kids winter weather clothes so that they can go outside to play. If the price of snow pants and boots feels oppressive, check second-hand stores or consignment shops to pick up those clothing items for a lower price. At the end of the season, shop sale racks for next year’s winter gear.  Being prepared for the weather means kids can get exercise outside more often than not, year-round.

Don’t let cold weather keep your kids stuck on the couch all season. Get creative and keep ‘em moving.

Celebrate Thanksgiving Memories

Celebrate the season this Thanksgiving with some fun family activities.

1. Thanksgiving paper chain: Those paper chains seem to be a staple of most childhoods, whether it was for a Christmas tree decoration or a school project. Take this common idea and use it celebrate thankfulness. Spend a period of time, whether it’s the month of November or during the span from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and add links to your family’s chain daily. Each person can write something they’re thankful for on a strip of paper, link together, and create your chain. Try to emphasize people, situations, and opportunities instead of material objects. It’s easy to be thankful for “things,” but try to dig deeper into those parts of life that mean more.

2. Handprint Turkey: Kids seem to grow so fast! Capture a moment of time by making a handprint turkey of your family, including the parents. Trace each person’s hand onto colored paper and then cut out the shapes. On a sheet of scrapbook paper, arrange the handprints largest to smallest to create the turkey’s feathers. Cut out a few more shapes to create the turkey’s body, and finish it off by drawing a few facial features. Words could be added to the craft such as, “Thankful for Family,” or “A Thankful bunch of turkeys.” Not only have you created a cute Thanksgiving craft, but you’ve made a snapshot in time of the different sizes of your family, represented by their hands. Be sure to include the date somewhere on your masterpiece.

The handprint turkey is a
fun keepsake. 

3.  Personalized Place cards: Let your kids create place cards for the Thanksgiving meal. These can be as simple or elaborate as your kids can dream up. Provide the materials, such as paper, glue, scissors, markers, and stickers, and let your kids go to work. Older kids could write a couple of sentences about why they are thankful for each person.

4.  Conversation Starters: Instead of everyone drifting off to different corners of the house after the Thanksgiving meal, prepare some conversation starters to get everyone talking. Write questions on slips of paper, fold them, and deposit in a jar. During the activity, each person draws a slip of paper and then shares their answer with the group. This is a great way to stay connected as a family, and you might learn a few things about your relatives. Great questions could include, “What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory? What is a childhood memory that stands out to you? What was your proudest moment? What piece of advice would you like to give to the people here today?” Visit these websites for specific ideas: 

http://www.craftychica.com/site/2013/11/thanksgiving-craft-conversation-starter-centerpiece/

http://countrydesignstyle.com/2013/11/21/thankful-questions/

Thanks to "Spoonful of Imagination" for this great idea!

5.  Handprint runner. This is a fun activity that can take place after the meal. Buy burlap or another sturdy fabric and cut it as a table runner. Have everyone (even the adults) paint their hands and leave a handprint on the runner. Let each person decorate their handprint to be a turkey. For an added religious touch, each person could add a favorite Bible verse next to their turkey handprint. Store the runner away until next Thanksgiving when it comes out to decorate the table.  This could become a yearly tradition, and it’s a great way to keep a moment of family history. Read more about this project here:

http://www.hometalk.com/689841/diy-thanksgiving-table-runner

This Thanksgiving season, make your focus family and friends, not objects. People and experiences create long-lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come!

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Clever Parent's Guide to Discipline

Are you frustrated when it’s time to discipline your less-than-well-behaved children...again? If you feel like pulling out your hair, just implement the mindset of a clever parent.

1.  Stay as cool as a cucumber. Children expect yelling when they’ve broken the rules, so make it your policy to stay calm. Use a measured tone of voice to let them know which rule they’ve broken and what their consequence will be. Don’t argue with them. You’re the parent in charge, and the parent in charge doesn’t argue. Use respectful language, speak clearly and plainly, and close your ears to any ranting and raving that might occur.

2.  Make the punishment fit the crime. You might want to ground your children for the rest of their lives and send them off to military school, but that’s extreme for offenses like talking back or not picking up toys. If you jump to the ultimate consequence right away, then you don’t have anywhere to go in the future. So, pick a lesser consequence and build from there. For example, start your child on two days without a cell phone and then you can add extra days to the duration, if needed.

3.  Consequences should inconvenience the child, not the parent. A consequence should only make one person unhappy, the child who receives it. Pick penalties that get the child’s attention and help them realize that you mean business. Administer them calmly (remember, cool as a cucumber) and without interrupting your life. Does it matter if your child watches TV? Nope. It’s not your problem, is it?

4.  Think outside the box. You might feel the need to freshen up your rotation of consequences, so occasionally add a few new ones to the mix. Often this brings protests from the children, but while they’re not watching television, they can scrub toilets, rake leaves, and fold laundry. I once felt the need to get my daughter’s attention, so I removed everything from her bedroom except for furniture. Her basic needs were still being met, so it wasn’t a problem that the room was mostly bare. That was a consequence she never forgot, and the mere mention of it usually snaps her right back into line.

5. Remind your children who’s in charge. Children who are bit too big for their britches need a gentle reminder of who’s the boss. That person is the parent who provides for all their needs and guides them through childhood on the road to successful adulthood. Yes, there are bumps along the way, but clever parents use these to teach lessons and reign in the children who’ve gotten out of hand.

The clever parent never loses her cool, even
when the going gets tough!

6. Consistency is key. Parents must follow through with the consequences they administer. To cut short a consequence tells children that you don’t mean what you say. Choose wisely so the consequence will be effective.

The clever parent is calm, cool, and collected. The clever parent doesn’t argue. The clever parent knows that consequences are important and administers them with love. The clever parent never forgets the goal – to raise productive members of society. Hang in there, parents. It’s all worth it in the end.

Teach Money Sense with Coupons

Photo courtesy of OOingle.com, Creative Commons License

I recently turned my 12-year-old daughter into the chief coupon clipper at our house. I wanted to increase her money sense and shopping savvy. Instead of telling her which coupons to cut, I devised an entire program. Here’s how it works.

Each week we get the coupons out of our Sunday paper. I give them to my daughter with the barest of instructions, “Cut these.” It’s her job to decide which coupons get cut according to the products she knows we use at our house. She’s allowed to ask me questions, and she also can search through the cupboards to see what products we normally purchase. After she cuts the coupons, she puts her initial somewhere on the coupon. She then must go through our coupon organizer and remove any expired coupons while also adding the new coupons. Now it’s time to shop!

When I go the grocery store, I make a list of any coupons I use with her initial on them. At the end of the trip, I total how much she “earned” with her initialed coupons, and she receives that amount of money as payment for her work. Granted, it reduces the amount of savings on my grocery bill, but I believe the lessons she’s learning are more valuable. Since we’ve started this program at our house, I’ve noticed that my daughter has grown in several areas.

Her money sense has improved. The value of a dollar has to be taught. She’s starting to understand what food and household items cost by looking at coupons and thinking about the products we need to buy for our household.

She understands why it’s good to save money. My daughter now realizes that a coupon helps the family spend less at the grocery. Several dollars shaved off the grocery bill means there’s more money to be spent elsewhere. Cutting coupons is worth the time and effort. Hopefully, this early exposure to the concept of saving money will stick with her as she grows to adulthood.

She’s learning about brand name products versus generic ones. As she makes choices on which coupons to cut, we have conversations about brands. In our house we have certain items, like laundry detergent, where we are brand specific. For other products we have no brand loyalty. She’s learning lessons about choosing the right products for our family.

Photo courtesy of OOingle.com, Creative Commons License

Her organizational skills get a workout. She cuts, sorts, and categorizes as she works with the coupons. This process helps her learn more about organization.

Her work ethic is strengthened. I’m not going to lie, cutting coupons and organizing them is not always high on the list of my daughter’s favorite tasks. However, she enjoys receiving her earned money after I come back from the grocery. This gives me a chance to remind her that the money is a direct result of the work she did earlier in the week. She’s beginning to make a connection between working and earning money. There’s a bonus lesson, too...the work has to be done, even if it’s not much fun.

Try the coupon method in your household and see how it begins to introduce your child to the world of money management and savvy shopping.

Bye, Bye Summer...Hello, School!

Summer is over, and parents everywhere must work to get their kids back into the school time routine. Here are a few things you can do to move from the summer mindset to a school mindset.

1. Set a regular bedtime. Late bedtimes and sleeping in may work in the summer, but this type of routine doesn’t equal success for the school year. Pick a bedtime and stick with it no matter how much the kids might want to stay up late. Not only does this ensure your kids get an adequate amount of sleep, it gives mom and dad some quiet time in the evenings.

2.  Make homework a priority. With school starting, many extra-curriculars start up again, too. However, keep homework at the top of the priority list. Make sure kids know it should be completed every night, no exceptions. It’s the child’s responsibility to keep track of homework and to get it completed with minimal assistance from parents. If grades start to slip, then cut back on the extra-curricular activities.

3.  Provide quiet study space. In addition to making homework the priority, ensure that kids have a quiet place to study and do homework. Keep the TV off and music low during homework time.

4.  Eat dinner as a family. This may not seem to have anything to do with school routines, but it’s just one more routine that helps to set a schedule in the evenings. Plus, this gives the family time to talk about the day and to share information. Kids who participate in regular evening mealtimes learn how to hold conversation with adults and how to use table manners. All of these skills are beneficial for the future.

5.  Prepare clothes at bedtime. Nothing makes for a crazy morning like running around looking for clothes and shoes. Lay all these out the night before to save time in the morning. This is a good tip for the adults, too.

6.  Pack backpacks at night. In addition to clothes, have the backpacks and lunches ready to go before heading to bed. In the morning, kids just pick up the packs and walk out the door. This helps lessen stress in the mornings.

7.  Teach kids to use an alarm clock. As kids reach late elementary school, they can begin to use an alarm clock. Not only does this help teach responsibility, it’s one less thing that mom and dad have to do in the mornings. Basic alarm clocks aren’t expensive and are easy to use.

8.  Use a calendar. Train your children to write important dates and events on the family calendar. A calendar that’s located in a central area, such as the kitchen, provides a convenient place for everyone to write and check upcoming events. This also helps train kids on using time management devices.

9.  Limit screen time. Only allow screen time, such as TV, video games, or computers, after all homework and chores are completed. Even then, keep it short and monitor the content for age appropriateness.

10.  Encourage exercise. One hour of exercise is recommended every day for kids. Be sure to get kids outside and moving each evening, especially if they’ve been sitting most of the day.

Back to school time is always busy and hectic, but establishing good routines helps keep the entire family in a groove.

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Take a Step Back in Time at Alcatraz

Al Capone. “Machine Gun” Kelly. Mickey Cohen. Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz.” These names conjure up images from a different era and of a lonely, isolated prison in the heart of San Francisco Bay; Alcatraz. Though it served as a federal penitentiary for just 29 years, it still captures the public’s attention and imagination. As a result, it’s one of the top tourist destinations in San Francisco.

“You are entitled to food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. Anything else you get is a privilege. Alcatraz Prison Rules and Regulations, Number 5.” That rule was just one of the realities of life inside the walls at “the Rock.” This rule and many others are now part of the rich history of the island.

“Break the rules and you go to prison. Break the prison rules, and you go to Alcatraz.” That sentiment sums up the purpose of the solemn island penitentiary...a place to house troublesome prisoners or to treat those who needed extreme rehabilitation. The island was virtually escape-proof, although there were 36 attempts over the years. In 1962, Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin pulled off the most famous escape in Alcatraz history. They chipped holes around the vents in their cells, climbed into the utility corridor behind the walls and escaped to the roof. They left paper Mache dummy heads in their beds to fool the guards. This escape, months in the making, made the trio famous, although they were never seen again and were presumed to have drowned in San Francisco Bay.

Touring one of the cell blocks

Although Alcatraz had a reputation for being hard and tough, history shows that prisoners at Alcatraz enjoyed some perks not seen in other prisons of the time. They were allowed to eat as much food, the best of any federal prison, as they wanted within the 20-minute meal periods. In the prisons’ later years, they had permission to paint, play musical instruments, watch movies on the weekends, and use radios. The guards and their families lived on the island, and they were so confident in the security of Alcatraz, they never locked their doors.

A cell in Block D -- solitary confinement

Today, the practical side of a visit to Alcatraz starts with a boat ride from San Francisco. Stopping first at the dock, a volunteer from the National Park service welcomes visitors and gives a brief introduction. From there it’s a steep walk up the hill to the cell house, but transportation is available for the infirm. Once in the cell house, an excellent audio tour, which includes narration from former guards and prisoners, guides visitors through the cellblocks and various rooms. After the audio tour, visitors are free to walk the grounds to see the recreation yard, views of the mainland, and the well-kept gardens. Alcatraz is also home to a wide variety of seabirds, and their nesting areas can be seen from outside the cell house.

Those who want to take a trip to Alcatraz should plan ahead and buy tickets early. Tickets for the ferry and subsequent island tour sell out well in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.alcatrazcruises.com , the official provider of transportation to and from Alcatraz. Other tour companies offer tickets, but at inflated prices.

 

"You are expected to bathe in a reasonable amount of time."
Good advice for us all!

“It looks like Alcatraz has got me licked,” said Al Capone in 1934. Indeed, time spent at “the Rock,” by over 1,500 inmates gave the island its notorious reputation. Windswept rocks, crashing waves, and San Francisco’s frequent fog put the finishing touches on one of America’s most visited National Parks. It’s worth the time and trouble to make a journey to the Rock...Alcatraz. 

Visitors can tour the recreation yard where prisoners used to play
baseball and other sports.