Helicopter parents: At least let them cook while you’re there

Where do you draw your line in the sand when it comes to parenting?

Having the kids whip up something tasty on the FIREDISC® cooker could be something you leave on this side of it. Let your little buckeroos in on the joy you’ve found ‘round the ‘disc. Kids want to help with big-people kinds of things anyway.

Here’s advice for rearing the junior chefs for a brighter tomorrow.

Kid cooks: Fun facts to share with the tykes

Cooking has some interesting roots. Spring some of these tidbits on your daughters and sons as you give them the craft.

  1. It’s been a while

Humans have cooked for as long as 2.3 million years. (A FIREDISC® cooker could last that long, with good upkeep).

  1. Easy recipe

Back in the 18th century, they made pound cake with a pound of everything. Butter, eggs, flour, and sugar. So a pound cake was actually 4 pounds!

  1. That’s nutty

Pistachios aren’t nuts, they’re fruits. They’re actually “drupes,” which is a tree fruit with a shell-covered seed.

Tips for getting kids involved with FIREDISC® cooking

It’s normal for this to turn into the kids cooking FOR you, from WITH you. Roll with it.

  1. Go shopping

Hit farmers’ markets together, and check out seasonal foods. Think about what could go on the FIREDISC® cooker, and with what. Listen to their questions, and let them guide you to what types of food to prepare together.

  1. Enliven their senses

Get the conversation going. Cooking is more than food and taste, after all. Ask your kids to describe food by appearance, and invite them to touch and smell it. Hear the sounds of cooking it and prepping it. Ignite their imagination.

  1. Let them plan

Get browsing together on FIREDISC® recipes. Let them give you a hand planning a week’s menu (even with stuff not on the ‘disc.) Enable them to add smart choices, like fruits and vegetables they’d like with every meal.

  1. Foster creativity

Following a recipe to completion is satisfying. Asking “what if …” when preparing a meal is next level. Kids already have ideas. Unless they’re prohibited by law, give those ideas life. It’s good learning.

  1. Get on their level

Or bring them up to yours. Get them in on ingredient prep. How young for using a knife? Use your best judgment. Every child is different. Even with less sharp instruments, they can be your right-hand kid with a stepstool.

Guaranteed your meals won’t be so bland when you get the kids in on the act. (They can’t live by mac and cheese alone, no matter how much they think it!) A love for cooking is a terrific thing to pass down to the next generation.