Kitchen Help

My little ones are always in the kitchen with me.  Adelynn (2) helps me do the dishes, measure flour, and mix everything.  Yesterday she was "washing" dishes in the sink, having a big time! Water was running all over the counter, down the cabinets, and into a puddle on the floor.  I know most moms would not be happy about this, but I was thrilled.  She feels like she is contributing.  It is also great sensory/motor play and precious bonding time with Mom.  After she was done she helped wipe up all the water.  She has excellent cleaning habits.  She puts things away when she is done, she closes cabinet and drawer doors, and she throws things right in the garbage.  She is a terrific counter and knows what comes next in bread or pancake batter.  This all comes from being welcomed in the kitchen.  When I read what Jesus said, "I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world," (3 Nephi 18:25) I thought this is what my attitude should be toward my children.  They should be able to feel and see and do right along with me.  It is not always the cleanest or most convenient while they are tiny, but it is still cherished time.

Soon they are making bread and cinnamon rolls all by themselves by the age of six.  They are cooking lasagna, enchiladas, and chili from scratch unassisted at ten.  In fact, there isn't anything my Natalie (10) can't make by herself.  She throws together salads and fruit shakes.  She loves to get online and try new recipes.  It's so nice to have one of the kids beg to make a meal and know that they are perfectly capable of pulling it off.  And we don't use boxes or cans around here.  We cook from scratch.  Not only that they can leave the kitchen completely clean too.  We have 6 people in our family who can make huge batches of delicious bread all by themselves.  They grind the wheat and everything.  That saves our family tons of money and me tons of time.

It is really sweet to see the big kids eagerly welcome the little ones to work beside them as well.  They are terrific teachers and kind mentors.  When Jaremy encouraged me to take this approach with the kids when they were all small it was difficult and a bit overwhelming.  But how it has paid off!!! We all love being together in the kitchen.  We can whip up a meal in no time and clean up quickly as well.  I'm so grateful Heavenly Father invites us to learn by doing His work with Him.  I hope I can catch on as fast as my kids have in the kitchen.