Don’t underestimate your kids!  If you assume they can’t achieve something, then of course they can’t.  However, if you set their goals high, they will amaze you at just how high they can climb.  Now please, I am not talking about the putting over-achievement, stress producing, expectations on them.  I have seen reports that Japan has the highest suicide rate among young people, in the world and that it’s attributed to the academic perfection that is expected of them. 

On the other hand, in our current society, we have to a great degree, removed initiative from our children to a disastrous degree. 

Can’t learn to tell time?  Fine, I’ll get you a digital watch.

Can’t learn to tie your shoe laces?  O.K.  Here’s a pair of Velcro shoes.

Oh here, I’ll carry that for you.

Sure, I’ll drive you to the movies.

You might cut your self making your jack-o-lantern.  Here’s a plastic knife.

Oh no!  You can’t use the stove. You might burn yourself.

Did it ever occur to anyone that all this is robbing our children, our most precious commodity, of their initiative and self esteem?

So, what’s all that got to do with cooking, you may ask.  I taught kids cooking classes for years and I was appalled to witness the decline in the capability of the young people that I taught over the years.  The attention span and hand-eye coordination of the kids that I taught in 2005 was greatly diminished from the kids that I taught in 1990, and the kids that I taught in 1990 were far less capable than the kids that I taught in 1975.  I can only attribute this to the ever-increasing tendency to “make things easier.”

Kids can cook, and they love to.  Sure, there is a chance that they may cut themselves or burn themselves.  However, without experience, they will never learn to avoid these potential hazards.   I also taught adults and you would be surprised at how many of the younger ones didn’t have these basic skills either.

Anyway, your kids are capable of doing a lot more than you give them credit for.  Just think about it.  They are most likely far more skilled on the computer than you are and I’ll just bet that they can navigate all the bells and whistles on your entertainment system while you are standing there several remotes in your hand, pushing buttons and scratching your head.

So, put your kids in the kitchen and with guidance you will be surprised at what they can do.  

Mothers Day is soon upon us and what better time to put your kids in the kitchen than for the making of a special Mothers Day brunch.  So, get in there with them dad and you will be amazed at how much fun it will be, how much self esteem it will give the kids and how pleased Mom will be.  The following lunch menu is very special for that very special person, and well within the capability of kids and dads.

Fresh Strawberries

Mother’s Day Scramble

Scones with butter and Strawberry Preserves

Coffee or Tea

To prepare your special Mothers Day brunch, set the table with your best tablecloth and dishes.  Pick a bouquet of flowers for the center of the table.  Put any presents or cards at Mom’s place and put one beautiful and special flower on her napkin.

Now, go into the kitchen.  Wash the strawberries.  Leave the stems on them.  Put them in a pretty dish and set them on the table.  Pour cream into a small pitcher and set it and the sugar bowl on the table to go with the coffee or tea.  Put butter in a butter dish and the strawberry preserves in a small bowl.  Set them both on the table.  Start the coffee maker or make a pot of tea and set it in a warm pace.   Next, make theScones.  While the scones are in oven, make the Mother’s Day Scramble .  As soon as the Scones and Scramble are ready, call Mom and show her to her seat, then carry in the hot scones and scramble and set them on the table.  Pour her coffee or tea and just see how happy she will be.