Modified from Cooking Together by Rachael of Kitchen Courses
Cooking together can mean more "mommy and me", "daddy and me" or even "us" time.
For most people, cooking is the means to an end. It’s often one of those things we all do so often that it can begin to feel like a chore. And sometimes, so much like a chore that we skip it and eat out but only to spend too much money and over eat.
Aside from what you make or how long it takes, cooking together has its benefits and can certainly strengthen any relationship, no matter if you’re a chef or an expert at dialing for takeout.
Here are five good reasons to make the time to get cooking with your kiddos or your partner:
1. The two of you will get some quality one-on-one time.
Whether you’re a busy mom, a traveling dad or have super soccer kiddos, getting quality time with your family members is a nice change of pace from any average meal time. Here are some links to some great kid friendly recipes: Cooking Light, Martha Stewart, AllRecipes, Pinterest MyPlate Recipes
2. You’ll build teamwork in your relationship.
Learn to rely on each other and work together towards a common goal.
Either choose one dish and divide up the tasks or divide up multiple dishes that each of you can be responsible for. You’ll have an opportunity not only to have a good time together, but to see how well you can problem solve. You’ll be able to use this as a good representation of how you can work together as a team outside of the kitchen.
3. A connection will be formed over learning together and trying new things.
There’s nothing more exciting than taking on a new skill, and what’s better than showing each other a thing or two in the process? And what better way to start teaching your children how to enjoy creating something.
4. You’ll be encouraged to have fun!
How often do we forget to have a good time without scheduling it in?
Don't worry about making a mess! It is bound to happen, so just let it.
Taste test as you go! Pick a dish that your kid like and put a zesty spin on it with a new fresh herb or a bright new vegetable.
Take the time to cook together and make the experience the exciting part by grabbing a glass of wine, turning up the tunes for an impromptu dance party, and putting your skills to good use.
5. You can be proud of what you’re eating.
When you know the ingredients and effort that’s gone into your dish, you’ll feel that much more satisfied eating it. Chances are high that if you’ve made it at home, it’s a lot healthier than anything you can eat at a restaurant so you can feel good about choosing a quiet night at home. Plus, you can be proud of your own effort.
Patience and effort may seem tedious in the beginning, but the end goal will show children that there is a creative process instead of relying on instance gratification. Kids will learn to take pride in making something that the whole family gets to enjoy.