I have an 8 and a 7 year old who are at the age (esp the 8 year old) where they would love to help me cook etc. The problem is, my youngest (3) can not really do the things that they are doing and she is not content doing her own task that I give her because she wants to do what they are doing. This results in me just saying no, noone can help and I just do it myself which isn't fair to anyone but otherwise it is just drama. I understand this is common (the baby of the family wanting to do everything like the big kids) so how do you get by it while being fair to the older ones? Do you just tell the youngest no?
ETA - Sorry no, the youngest is 3, forgot to finish that sentence.
The older kids can do their jobs, and the younger can take the choice of doing the job given to him/her, or to go and throw a tantrum in time-out or their bedroom.
Children need to understand that being older means you get to do things that you didn't get to do when you were younger.
So you need to either give her an age-appropriate job to do, or send her to daddy for some one-on-one time. Don't punish your 7 and 8 year olds (who should be learning cooking basics at this age) because you're afraid of disappointing your little one. Just tell her no if you cannot supervise her AND the older children.
Yep. I tell him no, I need you to do this and when you are 7 or 8 you will have the job of cracking the eggs etc. He has a choice, he can do the really important job I gave him or he can just watch and his older sister will do his job too. Usually does the trick.
I had six children in the kitchen helping me with dinner the youngest was 2 at the time. I try to say yes to them as much as possible and while this may slow down the process a little what is the objective of having them in the kitchen anyway?
The youngest of the six is now 17. He knows how to cook and clean thoroughly and in some areas kicks my butt at it. The student has surpassed the teacher. I'm very proud of him. Before you get into the kitchen figure out what the youngest can do with the understanding that they will make mistakes. It's a part of the learning process.
I let me 4 yr old help out. She uses a plastic knife to cut soft veggies or breaks green beans for me. She is also good at mixing things together or stirring. I have let her stand on a chair and stir a pot of soup but if any oil is involved, she has to stay away. She has also helped make eggs by putting them in the pot for boiled or pouring the scrambled eggs into the pan. She usually gets bored after 10 minutes or so and goes off on her own to play.
Is the youngest you are referring to the 7 y/o? If so, can you let the youngest set the table? stir? retrieve things from the refrigerator or the pantry?
My boys love to help me in the kitchen too. I don't let my 3 y/o near the stove but he does get to help with the things I have mentioned. When he was little he just wanted to be near everyone so I would slide his chair next to the island and give him a bowl and a spoon and he thought he was helping.
Older children will get resentful if they are punished by not getting to help because of a younger child who is 'not content'. Use this as a teaching time for your younger child to learn to do what you ask and what is age appropriate for her.
My son is 8 and loves to help in the kitchen. Maybe your 7 and 8 year old can take turns helping. The 8 year old can help one day while the 7 year old plays with the 3 year old. The next day they switch. Or you can give the 3 year old little tasks to do while everyone cooks. She can tear lettuce or break green beens in half. You can cut veggies and let her throw them in a salad. You can let her mix or pour things (with your help). You can let her dip chicken in breadcrumbs. I bet your 3 year old has pretty good skills from watching/copying the older kids.
Let your little one be the person to wash the fruits and veggies. Pull up a stool to the sink... my son loved doing this at that age.
You can also find smaller crinkle-cutters online; they have a large plastic handle and the child simply pushes the cutting part into the food, usually using both hands. I would cut smaller, softer fruits and veggies into strips or manageable pieces and let him use that. Plan on having fruit salads if you want to keep her busy, but she'll be very happy to participate.
Even now, when I have a willing helper at dinnertime with no obvious tasks for him to do, he can set the table and be my Special Helper by bringing me things from cupboards and the fridge, and putting other things away. It does take more time, and he's learning where things belong/how things go in the kitchen.
I wonder if you can also put a little kitchen nearby to let her do some parallel play to what her older sibs are doing? Or, you can give her some dry beans in a bowl, a small measuring cup for her to put them into a pan and let her stir them around. Some pretend play...
