Learn to cook fast !

Ask the 'experts'
This morning I asked the boys (aged 8 and 6 ) what they thought were  things parents should know....

They were enthusiastically fired half a dozen responses straight back. Interestingly the first three all related to food so I thought id share what they considered important!

Food Food and...food.....NOW!
At the top of the list- and the instant response- was "Learn to cook fast"
This struck me as being a really valid point. When kids are hungry they don't want to wait- they want their food NOW!

I can remember when I was little, sometimes being 'frantically' hungry while dinner was being prepared but by the time it was finally ready I had gone 'past' hungry and was overwhelmed by tiredness.
Ive often seen the same thing with my own children and I don't like seeing them go to bed without having any food! Now they are getting older it is rarely a problem but the youngest in particular often used to fall asleep before he got his evening meal.

How we dealt with it (until i learned to 'cook fast'

There are several ways that we used on various occasions to deal with the little ones 'need to eat' soon after hunger hits.

• Feed the kids first.  (Have an early dinner for the youngsters - they can have a snack later if they are still hungry before bed.)

• Give the kids Yesterdays evening meal. ( This actually worked well for us for quite some time. I would serve out their portion- then cling wrap it and put it in the fridge- the next day as soon as they said they were hungry it would get zapped in the microwave - or served cold depending what it was- no waiting!

• Provide nutritious snacks ( If you feed them fruit, cheese and biscuits, yogurt and so on when they say they are hungry their nutritional needs are being met and if they happen to miss dinner later it isn't such a big deal.

• Allow them to have an alternative. (Provide a quick 'good' alternative. - In our house this has invariably been Weet-bix or Honey/ Vegemite toast for the last 13 years.......)

The boys also commented on two other food related points. (I promise these are their very own comments, lol ! )

Encourage Dads to cook  (when I asked why this was important they both replied  "To give Mummies a rest")

Well what can I say- if its possible  male partners in the kitchen is a wonderful thing. Any sharing of household responsibilities makes parenting less stressful and more rewarding for everyone  (adults and children).  Even just one night a week  as designated "Daddy  Dinner" night is a nice change. Mums love a break, kids love to see Dads cook and it has to be a positive role model opportunity for our boys *smile*.

Healthy and Strong  ( I queried this one too and was told " By eating the right food" )

Too true- if you don't want your kids eating lollies, packets of chips and fizzy drinks..... DON'T have them in the house. If the temptation isn't there you wont have the problem. Save those items for the occasional treat or birthday parties.

• Stock up on fruit juice and water.
• Have fruit readily available ( I wrote a little article just about this!  www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2380/Fruit-and-Veg-Made-Very-Simple/)
• Provide a variety of fresh and healthy foods for your kids to try  - encourage tasting.
• Educate children about nutrition - bone and muscle development and tooth care. (and explain why it might be important to them ...for example (depending on their interests) "You need strong muscles to play sport" "You need Vitamin A for good eyes so you can read stories" "Fibre makes you feel better inside so you can concentrate at school" (well maybe , lol).

Good luck and enjoy!